by our College Data Analytics Team
[Political Science](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/political-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 38 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for political science students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in political science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked El Centro College the best value for a degree in political science in Texas. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $14,557 in student loans. Political Science graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $41,295 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,557 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in political science will find it at Texas A And M International University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,894, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Political Science graduates carry a median of $14,606 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $18,475. That is a strong return on a $14,606 median debt. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Political Science graduates carry a median of $10,250 in student loans. Political Science graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $24,804 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,250 median debt. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Houston Victoria came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Set in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,149 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,941. Students borrow a median of $24,081 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $47,345. Set against $24,081 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Houston Victoria admits about 96% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Houston Community College earned it the #5 place for political science. Houston Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,040, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $19,223. Early-career political science graduates make about $40,365. That is a strong return on a $19,223 median debt.
Austin Community College District landed the #6 spot for political science value this year. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,333 to complete the political science program here. 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.
University Of Houston Downtown came in at #7 for value in political science this year. 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. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $21,600. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Houston Downtown generally make around $38,095. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Houston Downtown admits about 90% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio landed the #8 spot for political science value this year. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. 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 placed #9 among the best values for political science. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $21,097. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $26,182. Set against $21,097 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Texas A And M University San Antonio earned the #10 position for value in political science this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $23,255. Students borrow a median of $22,771 to complete the political science program here. 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%.
Rice University came in at #11 for value in political science this year. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $61,247 in tuition and fees. Political Science graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Rice University earn a median of $54,728 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Lone Star College System came in at #12 for value in political science this year. Set in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,664, while out-of-state students pay about $7,512. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $10,425. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Lone Star College System generally make around $39,954. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas Womans University placed #13 among the best values for political science. 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. Set against $30,162 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Houston ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $36,413. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Arlington earned the #15 position 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 acceptance rate is 80%.
Texas A And M University Kingsville earned the #16 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,892, with out-of-state students paying around $25,746. Students borrow a median of $25,531 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Texas A And M University Kingsville generally make around $44,510. That is a strong return on a $25,531 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Stephen F Austin State University came in at #17 for value in political science this year. Set in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,128, with out-of-state students paying around $20,968. Political Science graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Stephen F Austin State University generally make around $33,386. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
The University Of Texas At Tyler earned the #18 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. In-state tuition and fees average $9,512, 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. That is a strong return on a $20,959 median debt. The University Of Texas At Tyler admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of North Texas landed the #19 spot for political science value this year. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Students borrow a median of $17,750 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $34,195 early in their careers. Set against $17,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Prairie View A And M University earned the #20 position for value in political science this year. Prairie View A And M University is a large public school located in the rural area of Prairie View. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,299, compared with $26,874 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $23,538. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Prairie View A And M University generally make around $53,784. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Texas A And M University Corpus Christi came in at #21 for value in political science this year. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Texas A And M University Corpus Christi is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $20,794. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $24,869. Early-career political science graduates make about $33,968. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Dallas came in at #22 for value in political science this year. Set in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,644 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,144. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of The University Of Texas At Dallas earn a median of $34,429 early in their careers. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Texas State University San Marcos ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Political Science graduates carry a median of $22,760 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $33,783. That is a strong return on a $22,760 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Sam Houston State University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Sam Houston State University is a very large public school located in the town of Huntsville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,228, compared with $19,068 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $25,125 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Sam Houston State University earn a median of $46,365 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,125 median debt. Sam Houston State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Texas Tech University earned the #25 position for value in political science this year. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Students borrow a median of $23,375 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $35,114 early in their careers. Set against $23,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.
These schools also delivered strong value for political science this year:
The ranking above is published 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 · 38 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 38 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.