2027 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 51 schools to find the best return on investment for political science students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region
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 El Centro College the best value for a degree in political science in the Southwest Region. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,557 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $41,295 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in political science will find it at The University Of Texas Pan American, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $10,250 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $24,804. Set against $10,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M International University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,894, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Students borrow a median of $14,606 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $18,475. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
University Of Houston Victoria is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Victoria. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,149, compared with $16,941 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $24,081 in student loans. Political Science graduates of University Of Houston Victoria earn a median of $47,345 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,081 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Central New Mexico Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #5 spot this year. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,060, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $10,112. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $34,751. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Houston Community College came in at #6 for value in political science this year. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,040 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. Political Science graduates carry a median of $19,223 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Houston Community College generally make around $40,365. Set against $19,223 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Austin Community College District earned the #7 position for value in political science this year. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $8,333. Political Science graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers. Set against $8,333 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New Mexico State University Main Campus landed the #8 spot for political science value this year. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $35,393. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Houston Downtown placed #9 among the best values for political science. University Of Houston Downtown is a large public school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,582, with out-of-state students paying around $17,434. Political Science graduates carry a median of $21,600 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $38,095. Set against $21,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned the #10 position for value in political science this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Political Science graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $30,235 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At El Paso earned the #11 position for value in political science this year. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Students borrow a median of $21,097 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $26,182 early in their careers. Set against $21,097 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Texas A And M University San Antonio ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Texas A And M University San Antonio is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of San Antonio. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,654, compared with $23,255 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $22,771 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Texas A And M University San Antonio earn a median of $45,681 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Lone Star College System came in at #13 for value in political science this year. Set in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,664 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,512. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $10,425. Early-career political science graduates make about $39,954. That is a strong return on a $10,425 median debt.
Texas Womans University earned the #14 position for value in political science this year. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,640, compared with $18,480 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $30,162. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $39,272. That is a strong return on a $30,162 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Rice University placed #15 among the best values for political science. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,247. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $54,728. That is a strong return on a $11,904 median debt. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Estrella Mountain Community College placed #16 among the best values for political science. Set in the suburb of Avondale, Estrella Mountain Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $21,752. Early-career political science graduates make about $78,359. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas A And M University Kingsville earned the #17 position for value in political science this year. Located in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,892, while out-of-state students pay about $25,746. Political Science graduates carry a median of $25,531 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $44,510. That is a strong return on a $25,531 median debt. Texas A And M University Kingsville admits about 91% of applicants.
Northern Arizona University landed the #18 spot for political science value this year. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. In-state tuition and fees average $12,619, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $35,220. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston landed the #19 spot for political science value this year. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $36,413. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Arlington came in at #20 for value in political science this year. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,950 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $20,406. Early-career political science graduates make about $31,550. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.
Arizona State University landed the #21 spot for political science value this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $19,257. Political Science graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $47,626 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,257 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Tyler earned the #22 position for value in political science this year. Located in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,512 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,512. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $20,959. Early-career political science graduates make about $55,134. Set against $20,959 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Stephen F Austin State University earned the #23 position for value in political science this year. Set in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,128, while out-of-state students pay about $20,968. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $20,250. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Stephen F Austin State University generally make around $33,386. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Prairie View A And M University placed #24 among the best values for political science. Located in the rural area of Prairie View, Prairie View A And M University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,299 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,874. Students borrow a median of $23,538 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $53,784. Set against $23,538 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earned the #25 position for value in political science this year. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,797, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus generally make around $37,401. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Political Science Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in political science:
Narrow Political Science Schools by State
More Political Science Rankings
View All Political Science Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 51 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 51 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.
