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2022 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Political Science & Government (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region

166 Ranked Colleges
10,643 Degrees Awarded
$7,600 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Political Science Schools for a Bachelor's in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Political Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

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 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 bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 10,643 political science and government graduates with average earnings and debt of $36,277 and $25,415 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Political Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 166 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.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the political science and government program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Political Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. 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 Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for southeast region bachelor’s degree political science students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Political Science & Government (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region

#1

Duke University

Durham, North Carolina

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Duke University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Duke is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Durham, North Carolina. It awarded 131 bachelors’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Duke also took the #1 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Duke is $-1,314 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Political Science students whose families make $30-$48k. The negative number means the student will receive more financial aid on average than it costs to attend the school.

With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Duke University

#2

Washington and Lee University

Lexington, Virginia

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Washington and Lee University. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Washington and Lee University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Lexington, Virginia. It awarded 53 bachelors’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Washington and Lee did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Political Science & Government Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Washington and Lee is $2,039 for southeast region bachelor’s degree political science students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 0.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full Washington and Lee University Political Science & Government Report

#3

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Vanderbilt University. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Nashville, Tennessee, and it awarded 97 bachelors’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Vanderbilt, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Vanderbilt is $6,017 for southeast region bachelor’s degree political science students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Vanderbilt University

#4

Wake Forest University

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Wake Forest University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k. This medium-sized school is located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and it awarded 146 bachelors’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southeast region bachelor’s degree political science students whose families make $30-$48k list, Wake Forest University has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $5,981 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Political Science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Wake Forest University.

With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Wake Forest University Political Science & Government Report

#5

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Florida. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UF is a public institution located in Gainesville, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 362 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UF did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Political Science & Government Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Florida is $4,069 for southeast region bachelor’s degree political science students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

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

#6

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

With a ranking of #6, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 339 bachelors’s political science degrees to qualified students.

UNC Chapel Hill did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Political Science & Government Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $6,063 for southeast region bachelor’s degree political science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UNC Chapel Hill.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The student loan default rate at the school is 1.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Political Science & Government Report

#7

William & Mary

Williamsburg, Virginia

William & Mary came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. William & Mary is a medium-sized school located in Williamsburg, Virginia that handed out 182 bachelors’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southeast region bachelor’s degree political science students whose families make $30-$48k list, William & Mary has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend William & Mary is $4,963 for southeast region bachelor’s degree political science students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full William & Mary Political Science & Government Report

#8

Emory University

Atlanta, Georgia

With a ranking of #8, Emory University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Emory University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Atlanta, Georgia. It awarded 90 bachelors’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Emory not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Political Science & Government Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $9,629 for southeast region bachelor’s degree political science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Emory University.

The low student loan default rate of 1.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Emory

#9

University of Virginia - Main Campus

Charlottesville, Virginia

University of Virginia - Main Campus ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Charlottesville, Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s political science degrees to 112 students in 2019-2020.

University of Virginia also took the #5 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $11,696 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Political Science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Virginia - Main Campus.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. The low student loan default rate of 1.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Political Science & Government at University of Virginia

#10

University of Richmond

University of Richmond, Virginia

University of Richmond did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #10. University of Richmond, Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s political science degrees to 52 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at URichmond, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for URichmond is $9,131 for southeast region bachelor’s degree political science students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

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

#11

Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida

Florida State University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Florida State University is located in Tallahassee, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 418 bachelors’s political science degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Florida State, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Florida State University is $6,816 for southeast region bachelor’s degree political science students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Florida State University

Florida International University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #12. This large school is located in Miami, Florida, and it awarded 292 bachelors’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend FIU is $6,683 for southeast region bachelor’s degree political science students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full FIU Political Science & Government Report

#13

University of Central Florida

Orlando, Florida

University of Central Florida came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UCF is a large school located in Orlando, Florida that handed out 331 bachelors’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

On top of its placing in this ranking, UCF also did well on our “Best Political Science & Government Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The estimated yearly cost for UCF is $7,847 for southeast region bachelor’s degree political science students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Political Science & Government at UCF

University of South Florida - Main Campus came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. USF Tampa is a large public school situated in Tampa, Florida. It awarded 196 bachelors’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $5,616 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Political Science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of South Florida - Main Campus.

The low student loan default rate of 4.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at USF Tampa

#15

North Carolina State University

Raleigh, North Carolina

North Carolina State University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. NC State is a public institution located in Raleigh, North Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 145 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

NC State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Political Science & Government Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for North Carolina State University is $9,887 for southeast region bachelor’s degree political science students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The low student loan default rate of 2.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at NC State

#16

The University of West Florida

Pensacola, Florida

The University of West Florida came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. The University of West Florida is located in Pensacola, Florida and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 24 bachelors’s political science degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for UWF is $3,912 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Political Science students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full The University of West Florida Political Science & Government Report

#17

University of Georgia

Athens, Georgia

University of Georgia landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Athens, Georgia, this large public school awarded 208 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s political science students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southeast region bachelor’s degree political science students whose families make $30-$48k list, UGA has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $10,241 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Political Science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UGA.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at UGA

#18

University of North Florida

Jacksonville, Florida

University of North Florida landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Jacksonville, Florida, and it awarded 103 bachelors’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend UNF is $5,942 for southeast region bachelor’s degree political science students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

#19

Florida Gulf Coast University

Fort Myers, Florida

With a ranking of #19, Florida Gulf Coast University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Florida Gulf Coast University is located in Fort Myers, Florida and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 40 bachelors’s political science degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend FGCU is $8,748 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Political Science students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Florida Gulf Coast University

#20

Florida Atlantic University

Boca Raton, Florida

Florida Atlantic University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Boca Raton, Florida, and it awarded 152 bachelors’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend FAU is $7,331 for southeast region bachelor’s degree political science students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Florida Atlantic University

#21

American Public University System

Charles Town, West Virginia

With a ranking of #21, American Public University System did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Charles Town, West Virginia, and it awarded 60 bachelors’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

American Military University excels when it comes to political science quality. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Political Science & Government Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend American Military University is $10,917 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Political Science students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 98%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read more about Political Science & Government at American Military University

#22

Virginia Tech

Blacksburg, Virginia

Virginia Tech ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Blacksburg, Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s political science degrees to 194 students in 2019-2020.

Virginia Tech also made our “Best Political Science & Government Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #12. The estimated yearly cost for Virginia Tech is $14,010 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Political Science students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Virginia Tech

#23

University of Mississippi

University, Mississippi

University of Mississippi landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University, Mississippi is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s political science degrees to 102 students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $11,566 for southeast region bachelor’s degree political science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Ole Miss.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full University of Mississippi Political Science & Government Report

#24

Citadel Military College of South Carolina

Charleston, South Carolina

Citadel Military College of South Carolina landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Charleston, South Carolina is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s political science degrees to 49 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, The Citadel is also in the top of our “Best Political Science & Government Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our “Best Political Science & Government Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Citadel Military College of South Carolina is $11,373 for southeast region bachelor’s degree political science students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low student loan default rate of 4.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Citadel Military College of South Carolina

#25

Appalachian State University

Boone, North Carolina

Appalachian State University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Boone, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s political science degrees to 120 students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Appalachian State University is $9,884 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Political Science students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Appalachian State

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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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