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2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

38 Ranked Colleges
364 Degrees Awarded
$28,500 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master's in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2019-2020, 48,597 people earned their degree in political science and government, making the major the 21st most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, political science and government graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $33,977 and had an average of $22,822 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Southeast region, there were 11,230 political science and government graduates with average earnings and debt of $32,775 and $23,806 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 364 political science and government graduates with average earnings and debt of $53,950 and $43,286 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 38 colleges that offered a degree in political science and government. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality political science and government programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the political science and government program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for southeast region master’s degree political science students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Political Science & Government (Income $0-$30k) in the Southeast Region

#1

Duke University

Durham, North Carolina
#1 in overall quality

Out of the 38 schools in the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Duke University landed the #1 spot on the list. Durham, North Carolina is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s political science degrees to 25 students in 2019-2020.

Duke also took the #1 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Duke are $59,140, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Duke University

#2

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee
#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Vanderbilt University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Vanderbilt University is a fairly large school located in Nashville, Tennessee that handed out 4 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Vanderbilt also made our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #2. Average graduate tuition and fees at Vanderbilt are $50,624, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Vanderbilt

#3

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Florida. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UF is a large school located in Gainesville, Florida that handed out 14 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southeast region master’s degree political science students whose families make $0-$30k list, UF has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Florida are $30,130.

Read more about Political Science & Government at University of Florida

#4

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina
#4 in overall quality

Out of the 38 schools in the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill landed the #4 spot on the list. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public institution located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 25 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southeast region master’s degree political science students whose families make $0-$30k list, UNC Chapel Hill has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UNC Chapel Hill are $30,248, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UNC Chapel Hill Political Science & Government Report

#5

Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Florida State University. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Florida State is a public institution located in Tallahassee, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 24 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Florida State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Florida State are $26,707, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Florida State Political Science & Government Report

#6

Emory University

Atlanta, Georgia
#3 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, Emory University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Emory is located in Atlanta, Georgia and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 masters’s political science degrees to qualified students.

Emory also made our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #3. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Emory University are $44,676.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Emory

#21 in overall quality

University of South Florida - Main Campus ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Tampa, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s political science degrees to 6 students in 2019-2020.

USF Tampa not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of South Florida - Main Campus are $21,126, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science & Government at USF Tampa

#25 in overall quality

Florida International University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. FIU is a large school located in Miami, Florida that handed out 8 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

FIU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Florida International University are $24,211.

Read more about Political Science & Government at FIU

#22 in overall quality

University of Central Florida ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Central Florida is a large public school situated in Orlando, Florida. It awarded 9 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCF, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Central Florida are $28,657, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Central Florida Political Science & Government Report

#10

The University of West Florida

Pensacola, Florida

With a ranking of #10, The University of West Florida did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UWF is located in Pensacola, Florida and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 8 masters’s political science degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UWF are $24,894, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full The University of West Florida Political Science & Government Report

#11

University of Georgia

Athens, Georgia
#9 in overall quality

University of Georgia came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UGA is a large school located in Athens, Georgia that handed out 13 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

UGA also made our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #9. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Georgia are $27,476.

Read more about Political Science & Government at UGA

#12

Citadel Military College of South Carolina

Charleston, South Carolina
#18 in overall quality

Citadel Military College of South Carolina landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. The Citadel is a small school located in Charleston, South Carolina that handed out 2 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at The Citadel, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Citadel Military College of South Carolina are $18,540, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at The Citadel

#13

University of Virginia - Main Campus

Charlottesville, Virginia
#6 in overall quality

University of Virginia - Main Campus landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Charlottesville, Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s political science degrees to 4 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southeast region master’s degree political science students whose families make $0-$30k list, University of Virginia has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Virginia - Main Campus are $32,394, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at University of Virginia

#14

Virginia Tech

Blacksburg, Virginia
#5 in overall quality

Virginia Tech did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. This large school is located in Blacksburg, Virginia, and it awarded 14 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Virginia Tech did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Virginia Tech are $30,547.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Virginia Tech

#15

American Public University System

Charles Town, West Virginia

American Public University System came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. American Public University System is located in Charles Town, West Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 31 masters’s political science degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our southeast region master’s degree political science students whose families make $0-$30k list, American Military University has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at American Public University System are $7,050.

Read more about Political Science & Government at American Military University

#16

Appalachian State University

Boone, North Carolina

Appalachian State University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Boone, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s political science degrees to 8 students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Appalachian State University are $21,439.

Full Appalachian State University Political Science & Government Report

#17

Augusta University

Augusta, Georgia

With a ranking of #17, Augusta University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Augusta University is a medium-sized school located in Augusta, Georgia that handed out 7 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Augusta University are $20,712, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Augusta University

#18

University of Mississippi

University, Mississippi
#23 in overall quality

University of Mississippi landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Ole Miss is a large school located in University, Mississippi that handed out 5 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Ole Miss also took the #23 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ole Miss are $25,099, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at University of Mississippi

#19

Florida Atlantic University

Boca Raton, Florida

Florida Atlantic University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Florida Atlantic University is a large school located in Boca Raton, Florida that handed out 10 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at FAU are $18,482, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full FAU Political Science & Government Report

#16 in overall quality

The University of Tennessee - Knoxville landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. The University of Tennessee - Knoxville is a public institution located in Knoxville, Tennessee. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Knoxville also made our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #16. Average graduate tuition and fees at UT Knoxville are $31,798, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Political Science & Government at The University of Tennessee - Knoxville

#21

James Madison University

Harrisonburg, Virginia

James Madison University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Harrisonburg, Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s political science degrees to 11 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southeast region master’s degree political science students whose families make $0-$30k list, JMU has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at JMU are $29,544, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full James Madison University Political Science & Government Report

#15 in overall quality

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and it awarded 5 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Louisiana State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Louisiana State University are $29,970, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Political Science & Government Report

#23

West Virginia University

Morgantown, West Virginia

West Virginia University landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. West Virginia University is a public institution located in Morgantown, West Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 4 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at West Virginia University are $26,154, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at WVU

#24

University of Arkansas

Fayetteville, Arkansas
#20 in overall quality

University of Arkansas ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Fayetteville, Arkansas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s political science degrees to 6 students in 2019-2020.

UARK not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UARK are $22,121, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science & Government at UARK

#25

University of South Carolina - Columbia

Columbia, South Carolina
#17 in overall quality

University of South Carolina - Columbia came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of South Carolina - Columbia is a large public school situated in Columbia, South Carolina. It awarded 1 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

UofSC also took the #17 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UofSC are $30,160, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UofSC Political Science & Government Report

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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