2027 Best Value Political Science Schools in the The Plains States 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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 45 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value political science schools.
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2027 Best Value Political Science Schools in the The Plains States 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
University Of Missouri Kansas City tops our 2027 list of the best value political science schools in the The Plains States Region. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,371, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Political Science graduates carry a median of $13,102 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $60,324. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Truman State University one of the best values for political science. Truman State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kirksville. In-state tuition and fees average $9,838, with out-of-state students paying around $18,566. Students borrow a median of $26,649 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of Truman State University earn a median of $39,813 early in their careers. Set against $26,649 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Truman State University admits about 84% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wichita State University earned it the #3 place for political science. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,684 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,869. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $21,000. Early-career political science graduates make about $30,121. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Bemidji State University one of the best values for political science. Located in the town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,237. Students borrow a median of $25,819 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $48,984. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in political science will find it at University Of Nebraska At Omaha, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,718 in tuition and fees, compared with $23,206 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $22,119. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Omaha generally make around $46,884. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Fort Hays State University came in at #6 for value in political science this year. Set in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,923, compared with $17,741 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $30,468. Early-career political science graduates make about $30,454. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fort Hays State University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Missouri St Louis earned the #7 position for value in political science this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,120, with out-of-state students paying around $37,620. Political Science graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $36,050. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Saint Cloud State University landed the #8 spot for political science value this year. Saint Cloud State University is a large public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. Students from in state pay about $10,245 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $22,908. Early-career political science graduates make about $28,991. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Washburn University came in at #9 for value in political science this year. Washburn University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Topeka. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,945, while out-of-state students pay about $20,949. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $21,175. Political Science graduates of Washburn University earn a median of $50,955 early in their careers. Set against $21,175 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #10 among the best values for political science. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Political Science graduates carry a median of $20,465 in student loans. Political Science graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $40,208 early in their careers. Set against $20,465 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
Harris Stowe State University earned the #11 position for value in political science this year. Harris Stowe State University is a small public school located in the city of Saint Louis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,008, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $32,394. Political Science graduates of Harris Stowe State University earn a median of $31,173 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $32,394 median debt.
Southeast Missouri State University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Southeast Missouri State University is a large public school located in the city of Cape Girardeau. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,903. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $19,500. Political Science graduates of Southeast Missouri State University earn a median of $43,255 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southeast Missouri State University admits about 74% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska At Kearney earned the #13 position for value in political science this year. Set in the town of Kearney, University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,564, while out-of-state students pay about $16,484. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $22,173. Early-career political science graduates make about $46,744. That is a strong return on a $22,173 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
North Dakota State University Main Campus placed #14 among the best values for political science. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Fargo. Students from in state pay about $10,910 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $24,475. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from North Dakota State University Main Campus generally make around $26,635. Set against $24,475 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Grinnell College placed #15 among the best values for political science. Grinnell College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Grinnell. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,196. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $17,500. Early-career political science graduates make about $36,662. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Northern Iowa ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,936, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $37,875. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln landed the #17 spot for political science value this year. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $36,364. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants.
Missouri State University Springfield ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $37,944. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Kansas came in at #19 for value in political science this year. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,102 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $22,249 in student loans. Political Science graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $33,700 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,249 median debt. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.
Winona State University earned the #20 position for value in political science this year. Located in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,576, compared with $17,308 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,875 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $35,631. That is a strong return on a $25,875 median debt. Winona State University admits about 76% of applicants.
Nebraska Wesleyan University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Nebraska Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lincoln. In-state tuition and fees average $43,572. Political Science graduates carry a median of $27,667 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Nebraska Wesleyan University generally make around $52,199. That is a strong return on a $27,667 median debt. Nebraska Wesleyan University admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of North Dakota earned the #22 position for value in political science this year. University Of North Dakota is a large public school located in the city of Grand Forks. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,951, compared with $15,570 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $25,110 in student loans. Political Science graduates of University Of North Dakota earn a median of $64,378 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,110 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of Minnesota Duluth landed the #23 spot for political science value this year. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $14,608 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,134 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $20,089. Political Science graduates of University Of Minnesota Duluth earn a median of $38,942 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Iowa State University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $30,715. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Iowa State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Minnesota State University Moorhead placed #25 among the best values for political science. Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Moorhead. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,428. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $22,125. Political Science graduates of Minnesota State University Moorhead earn a median of $33,220 early in their careers. Set against $22,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Minnesota State University Moorhead admits about 59% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 45 Best Value Political Science Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in political science:
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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 · 45 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 45 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.
