2027 Best Value Political Science Schools in North Carolina
[Political Science](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/political-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong political science education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 21 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for political science students.
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2027 Best Value Political Science Schools in North Carolina
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the political science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Political Science Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill the best value for a degree in political science in North Carolina. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,100 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $41,200. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 15%.
North Carolina A And T State University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. North Carolina A And T State University is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. In-state tuition and fees average $6,813, with out-of-state students paying around $20,673. Students borrow a median of $29,264 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $42,310. Set against $29,264 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $25,000. Early-career political science graduates make about $30,925. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Carolina At Pembroke earned it the #4 place for political science. Set in the town of Pembroke, University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,648, while out-of-state students pay about $7,648. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $26,500. Political Science graduates of University Of North Carolina At Pembroke earn a median of $22,223 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke admits about 93% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Fayetteville State University earned it the #5 place for political science. Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fayetteville. In-state tuition and fees average $4,353, while out-of-state students pay about $8,353. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $29,390. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Fayetteville State University generally make around $41,449. That is a strong return on a $29,390 median debt. Fayetteville State University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Asheville placed #6 among the best values for political science. Located in the city of Asheville, University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,501, with out-of-state students paying around $24,849. Political Science graduates carry a median of $25,821 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Asheville generally make around $23,964. That is a strong return on a $25,821 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Western Carolina University landed the #7 spot for political science value this year. Western Carolina University is a large public school located in the town of Cullowhee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,630, with out-of-state students paying around $8,630. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $25,000. Political Science graduates of Western Carolina University earn a median of $44,926 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,239, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $32,780 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Davidson College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Davidson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Davidson. Students from in state pay about $64,430 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Davidson College generally make around $46,232. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Davidson College admits about 13% of applicants.
East Carolina University landed the #10 spot for political science value this year. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,361, while out-of-state students pay about $23,638. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $25,000. Early-career political science graduates make about $35,627. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #11 for value in political science this year. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $23,457 in student loans. Political Science graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $38,321 early in their careers. Set against $23,457 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Appalachian State University came in at #12 for value in political science this year. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,579, with out-of-state students paying around $25,212. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Appalachian State University generally make around $30,096. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Winston Salem State University came in at #13 for value in political science this year. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Winston Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,126 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,782 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Winston Salem State University earn a median of $26,725 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Winston Salem State University admits about 78% of applicants.
North Carolina Central University placed #14 among the best values for political science. Set in the city of Durham, North Carolina Central University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,699, while out-of-state students pay about $19,735. Political Science graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Political Science graduates of North Carolina Central University earn a median of $24,948 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington came in at #15 for value in political science this year. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public school located in the city of Wilmington. In-state tuition and fees average $7,277, with out-of-state students paying around $24,152. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $22,250. Early-career political science graduates make about $31,124. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Wingate University landed the #16 spot for political science value this year. Set in the suburb of Wingate, Wingate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $42,576. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $25,556. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Wingate University generally make around $53,836. That is a strong return on a $25,556 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Wake Forest University placed #17 among the best values for political science. Wake Forest University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Winston-Salem. Students from in state pay about $67,642 in tuition and fees. Political Science graduates carry a median of $23,133 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Wake Forest University earn a median of $47,161 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,133 median debt. Roughly 22% of applicants are accepted.
Duke University placed #18 among the best values for political science. Duke University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,758. Students borrow a median of $14,016 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of Duke University earn a median of $54,970 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Duke University admits about 6% of applicants.
Queens University Of Charlotte landed the #19 spot for political science value this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, Queens University Of Charlotte is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $45,846 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,245 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $59,654. That is a strong return on a $27,245 median debt. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
High Point University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Set in the city of High Point, High Point University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,312. Political Science graduates carry a median of $23,785 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $113,352. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Elon University landed the #21 spot for political science value this year. Set in the suburb of Elon, Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $46,958. Political Science graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $38,836. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
