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2023 Best Value Colleges for Political Science & Government in the Southeast Region (With Aid)

130 Ranked Colleges
11,287 Degrees Awarded
$14,200 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2020-2021, 49,282 people earned their degree in political science and government, making the major the 20th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, political science and government graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $34,387 and had an average of $23,175 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Southeast region, there were 11,287 political science and government graduates with average earnings and debt of $32,164 and $24,347 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 130 colleges that offer a degree in political science and government. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great political science and government programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the political science and government program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid” list to help you make the college decision.

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. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Political Science & Government in the Southeast Region (With Aid)

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid 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 360 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UNC Chapel Hill not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UNC Chapel Hill is $12,469 for Southeast Region Political Science students with aid.

The low undergrad 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

2
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida

Out of the 130 schools in the Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Florida landed the #2 spot on the list. UF is a large school located in Gainesville, Florida that handed out 407 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.

UF also made our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #9. It costs about $5,135 for Southeast Region Political Science students with aid per year to attend University of Florida.

With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

3
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Florida State University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Tallahassee, Florida, and it awarded 513 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.

Florida State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Florida State is $9,946 for southeast region political science students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%.

Full Florida State University Political Science & Government Report

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of South Florida - Main Campus. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid. Tampa, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s political science degrees to 189 students in 2020-2021.

USF Tampa also took the #24 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of South Florida - Main Campus is $8,346 for southeast region political science students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national 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.

Full University of South Florida - Main Campus Political Science & Government Report

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Florida International University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid. Miami, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s political science degrees to 345 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $5,298 for Southeast Region Political Science students with aid per year to attend FIU.

With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at FIU

6
University of Virginia crest
University of Virginia - Main Campus
Charlottesville, Virginia

With a ranking of #6, University of Virginia - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid list. University of Virginia is located in Charlottesville, Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 114 ’s political science degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our southeast region political science students with aid list, University of Virginia has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $22,006 for southeast region political science students with aid per year to attend University of Virginia - Main Campus.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Political Science & Government at University of Virginia

7

University of Central Florida came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Orlando, Florida, this large public school awarded 381 degrees to qualified ’s political science students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, UCF is also in the top of our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. The estimated yearly cost for UCF is $8,618 for southeast region political science students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

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

8
UGA crest
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia

University of Georgia did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #8. Located in Athens, Georgia, this large public school awarded 242 diplomas to qualified ’s political science students in 2020-2021.

UGA also made our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #11. The estimated yearly cost for University of Georgia is $14,257 for southeast region political science students with aid.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Political Science & Government at UGA

9
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia

Virginia Tech landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Virginia Tech is a large school located in Blacksburg, Virginia that handed out 200 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region political science students with aid list, Virginia Tech has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Virginia Tech is $21,301 for Southeast Region Political Science students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.2% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.

Full Virginia Tech Political Science & Government Report

10
Duke crest
Duke University
Durham, North Carolina

Duke University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #10. Located in Durham, North Carolina, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 136 diplomas to qualified ’s political science students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region political science students with aid list, Duke has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Duke is $32,459 for southeast region political science students with aid.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.3% 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 Duke University

11
FAU crest
Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, Florida

Florida Atlantic University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Boca Raton, Florida, and it awarded 169 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $10,735 for southeast region political science students with aid per year to attend Florida Atlantic University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% 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%.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at FAU

12

The University of West Florida came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Pensacola, Florida, this fairly large public school handed out 22 diplomas to qualified ’s political science students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend The University of West Florida is $7,089 for Southeast Region Political Science students with aid.

Read more about Political Science & Government at UWF

13
Appalachian State crest
Appalachian State University
Boone, North Carolina

Appalachian State University landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This large school is located in Boone, North Carolina, and it awarded 123 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $13,989 for southeast region political science students with aid per year to attend Appalachian State University.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% 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 Appalachian State University

14
William & Mary crest
William & Mary
Williamsburg, Virginia

William & Mary landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Williamsburg, Virginia, this medium-sized public school handed out 170 degrees to qualified ’s political science students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at William & Mary, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $19,593 for southeast region political science students with aid per year to attend William & Mary.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Political Science & Government at William & Mary

15
UNF crest
University of North Florida
Jacksonville, Florida

University of North Florida came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of North Florida is located in Jacksonville, Florida and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 96 ’s political science degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend University of North Florida is $8,865 for southeast region political science students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.4% 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%.

Full UNF Political Science & Government Report

16

University of North Carolina at Greensboro ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid list. UNC Greensboro is located in Greensboro, North Carolina and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 84 ’s political science degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for University of North Carolina at Greensboro is $11,629 for Southeast Region Political Science students with aid.

Read more about Political Science & Government at UNC Greensboro

17
American Military University crest
American Public University System
Charles Town, West Virginia

American Public University System ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid list. American Public University System is a large school located in Charles Town, West Virginia that handed out 97 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend American Military University is $10,563 for southeast region political science students with aid.

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

Full American Public University System Political Science & Government Report

18
Georgia State crest
Georgia State University
Atlanta, Georgia

Georgia State University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Atlanta, Georgia, and it awarded 247 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $17,242 for southeast region political science students with aid per year to attend Georgia State.

Full Georgia State Political Science & Government Report

19
Augusta University crest
Augusta University
Augusta, Georgia

Augusta University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #19. Located in Augusta, Georgia, this medium-sized public school awarded 19 diplomas to qualified ’s political science students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Augusta University is $12,239 for southeast region political science students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.5% 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%.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Augusta University

20
WVU crest
West Virginia University
Morgantown, West Virginia

West Virginia University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #20. Located in Morgantown, West Virginia, this large public school handed out 86 diplomas to qualified ’s political science students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $13,355 for southeast region political science students with aid per year to attend WVU.

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

21
NC State crest
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina

North Carolina State University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid list. NC State is a large school located in Raleigh, North Carolina that handed out 163 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for North Carolina State University is $16,411 for Southeast Region Political Science students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at NC State

22
Vanderbilt crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, Tennessee

Vanderbilt University landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Vanderbilt University is located in Nashville, Tennessee and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 98 ’s political science degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our southeast region political science students with aid list, Vanderbilt has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $19,970 for Southeast Region Political Science students with aid per year to attend Vanderbilt.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Vanderbilt

23
JMU crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, Virginia

James Madison University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #23. Harrisonburg, Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s political science degrees to 130 students in 2020-2021.

JMU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend JMU is $22,562 for Southeast Region Political Science students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad 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 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full JMU Political Science & Government Report

24
GMU crest
George Mason University
Fairfax, Virginia

George Mason University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Fairfax, Virginia, this large public school awarded 217 diplomas to qualified ’s political science students in 2020-2021.

GMU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for George Mason University is $19,551 for Southeast Region Political Science students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at GMU

25
Ole Miss crest
University of Mississippi
University, Mississippi

University of Mississippi did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #25. Ole Miss is a large public school situated in University, Mississippi. It awarded 100 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $12,161 for Southeast Region Political Science students with aid per year to attend Ole Miss.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Ole Miss Political Science & Government Report

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