2027 Best Value Political Science Schools in Kansas

[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 6 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for political science students.
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2027 Best Value Political Science Schools in Kansas
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in political science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Political Science Schools
Leading the list is Fort Hays State University, our #1 best value for political science in Kansas. Located in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,923 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,741. Students borrow a median of $30,468 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $30,454. That is a strong return on a $30,468 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Wichita State University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,684, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $30,121 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Washburn University earned it the #3 place for political science. Set in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,945, compared with $20,949 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $21,175 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $50,955. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Kansas came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Students borrow a median of $22,249 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $33,700 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Kansas State University one of the best values for political science. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,221, compared with $28,568 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $32,289. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Benedictine College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Located in the town of Atchison, Benedictine College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $36,350. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $24,990. Political Science graduates of Benedictine College earn a median of $46,255 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,990 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
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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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.