2027 Best Value Political Science Schools in Missouri
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 10 schools to find the best return on investment for political science students.
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2027 Best Value Political Science Schools in Missouri
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in political science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Political Science Schools
Truman State University tops our 2027 list of the best value political science schools in Missouri. Located in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,838, with out-of-state students paying around $18,566. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $26,649. Early-career political science graduates make about $39,813. That is a strong return on a $26,649 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Missouri Kansas City one of the best values for political science. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,371, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $13,102. Political Science graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $60,324 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
A rank of #3 makes Harris Stowe State University one of the best values for political science. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Harris Stowe State University is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,008, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $32,394 to complete the political science program here. 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.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Missouri St Louis one of the best values for political science. 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, compared with $37,620 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Missouri St Louis generally make around $36,050. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri St Louis admits about 63% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in political science will find it at Southeast Missouri State University, which ranked #5. 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. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Southeast Missouri State University generally make around $43,255. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southeast Missouri State University admits about 74% of applicants.
Missouri State University Springfield ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $37,944. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Missouri Columbia landed the #7 spot for political science value this year. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,837, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. Political Science graduates carry a median of $22,517 in student loans. Political Science graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $37,722 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,517 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Lindenwood University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Set in the city of Saint Charles, Lindenwood University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,600. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $24,022. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Lindenwood University generally make around $48,197. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Washington University In St Louis came in at #9 for value in political science this year. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. Students from in state pay about $65,790 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $68,303. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Saint Louis University Main Campus ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Louis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $55,760. Political Science graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Saint Louis University Main Campus earn a median of $30,502 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
