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

27 Ranked Colleges
108 Degrees Awarded
$21,800 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master's in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Political Science & Government is the 21st most popular major in the country with 48,597 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. 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 Southwest region, there were 3,962 political science and government graduates with average earnings and debt of $32,993 and $20,539 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 108 political science and government graduates with average earnings and debt of $53,078 and $37,227 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 27 colleges that offer a degree in political science and government. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent political science and government programs, but they also cost less that 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.

More Ways to Rank Political Science & Government Schools

The political science school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k”.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

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

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k.

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

#1

Rice University

Houston, Texas
#1 in overall quality

Out of the 27 schools in the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Rice University landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Houston, Texas, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 7 degrees to qualified masters’s political science students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree political science students whose families make $0-$30k list, Rice has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Rice University are $47,913.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Rice

#22 in overall quality

Out of the 27 schools in the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley landed the #2 spot on the list. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is a large school located in Edinburg, Texas that handed out 3 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Rio Grande Valley did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley are $15,151.

Full UT Rio Grande Valley Political Science & Government Report

#10 in overall quality

Out of the 27 schools in the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of North Texas landed the #3 spot on the list. UNT is located in Denton, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 masters’s political science degrees to qualified students.

UNT also made our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #10. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UNT are $15,618.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at University of North Texas

#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Texas A&M University - College Station. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k. This large school is located in College Station, Texas, and it awarded 5 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Texas A&M College Station also made our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #2. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A&M University - College Station are $22,743.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Texas A&M College Station

#4 in overall quality

Out of the 27 schools in the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Arizona State University - Tempe landed the #5 spot on the list. Arizona State University - Tempe is a public institution located in Tempe, Arizona. The school has a large population, and it awarded 8 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

ASU - Tempe not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Arizona State University - Tempe are $27,048.

Read more about Political Science & Government at ASU - Tempe

#5 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, The University of Texas at Dallas did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Richardson, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s political science degrees to 12 students in 2019-2020.

UT Dallas did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas at Dallas are $28,610.

Full The University of Texas at Dallas Political Science & Government Report

#24 in overall quality

Texas Woman’s University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Texas Woman’s University is a public institution located in Denton, Texas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

TWU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Texas Woman’s University are $14,962.

Full Texas Woman’s University Political Science & Government Report

#13 in overall quality

Oklahoma State University - Main Campus ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Oklahoma State University - Main Campus is a public institution located in Stillwater, Oklahoma. The school has a large population, and it awarded 4 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

OSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Oklahoma State University - Main Campus are $23,963, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Oklahoma State University - Main Campus Political Science & Government Report

#19 in overall quality

The University of Texas at Tyler ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UT Tyler is a medium-sized school located in Tyler, Texas that handed out 2 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Tyler also made our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #19. Average graduate tuition and fees at UT Tyler are $16,308, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Political Science & Government at The University of Texas at Tyler

#18 in overall quality

The University of Texas at San Antonio did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. UTSA is located in San Antonio, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 masters’s political science degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UTSA, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas at San Antonio are $25,807.

Read more about Political Science & Government at The University of Texas at San Antonio

#11

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona
#6 in overall quality

With a ranking of #11, University of Arizona did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Tucson, Arizona 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.

University of Arizona did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Arizona are $33,399, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Arizona Political Science & Government Report

#3 in overall quality

The University of Texas at Austin came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Austin, Texas, this large public school handed out 6 diplomas to qualified masters’s political science students in 2019-2020.

UT Austin also took the #3 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UT Austin are $22,886, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at The University of Texas at Austin

#13

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas
#12 in overall quality

Texas Tech University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Lubbock, Texas, and it awarded 1 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Texas Tech also made our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #12. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas Tech are $17,530, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Texas Tech University Political Science & Government Report

#14

University of Houston

Houston, Texas
#11 in overall quality

University of Houston landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UH is located in Houston, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 6 masters’s political science degrees to qualified students.

UH not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UH are $18,689.

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

#21 in overall quality

The University of Texas at El Paso came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. The University of Texas at El Paso is located in El Paso, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 5 masters’s political science degrees to qualified students.

UTEP also took the #21 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UTEP are $16,180, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at The University of Texas at El Paso

#16

MSU Texas

Wichita Falls, Texas
#25 in overall quality

MSU Texas did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. MSU Texas is located in Wichita Falls, Texas and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 masters’s political science degrees to qualified students.

MSU Texas also took the #25 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at MSU Texas are $7,935, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at MSU Texas

#17

Texas State University

San Marcos, Texas
#14 in overall quality

Texas State University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Texas State University is a large school located in San Marcos, Texas that handed out 7 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree political science students whose families make $0-$30k list, Texas State has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas State University are $17,040, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Texas State University

#18

Sam Houston State University

Huntsville, Texas
#16 in overall quality

Sam Houston State University landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. SHSU is a large public school situated in Huntsville, Texas. It awarded 4 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

SHSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Sam Houston State University are $15,704, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full SHSU Political Science & Government Report

New Mexico State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. New Mexico State University - Main Campus is located in Las Cruces, New Mexico and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 masters’s political science degrees to qualified students.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at New Mexico State University - Main Campus are $18,275.

Full New Mexico State University - Main Campus Political Science & Government Report

The University of Texas at Arlington came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UT Arlington is a large school located in Arlington, Texas that handed out 7 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree political science students whose families make $0-$30k list, UT Arlington has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UT Arlington are $23,376, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full The University of Texas at Arlington Political Science & Government Report

#21

Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, Arizona
#15 in overall quality

Northern Arizona University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #21. Northern Arizona University is a public institution located in Flagstaff, Arizona. The school has a large population, and it awarded 2 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

NAU also took the #15 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at NAU are $19,489.

Full Northern Arizona University Political Science & Government Report

#23 in overall quality

With a ranking of #22, Texas A&M University - Commerce did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Texas A&M Commerce is located in Commerce, Texas and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1 masters’s political science degrees to qualified students.

Texas A&M Commerce not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A&M Commerce are $14,549.

Full Texas A&M Commerce Political Science & Government Report

#23

University of Dallas

Irving, Texas
#9 in overall quality

University of Dallas came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in Irving, Texas, and it awarded 4 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

UD not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UD are $33,750, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UD Political Science & Government Report

#8 in overall quality

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Norman, Oklahoma is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s political science degrees to 2 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at University of Oklahoma, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus are $23,236, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus

With a ranking of #25, University of Central Oklahoma did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Central Oklahoma is a public institution located in Edmond, Oklahoma. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UCO are $17,913, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science & Government at University of Central Oklahoma

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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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