[Political Science & Government](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 694 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value political science & government schools.
Finding the Best Value Political Science & Government School for You
The political science & government program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Political Science & Government Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Political Science & Government Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Princeton University earned the #1 spot for value among political science & government schools in the United States. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,688. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $63,317. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at West Valley College earned it the #2 place for political science & government. Set in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $0, with out-of-state students paying around $9,320. Students borrow a median of $14,308 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $25,378. Set against $14,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Hunter College earned it the #3 place for political science & government. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $9,531. Political Science & Government graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $35,154 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
De Anza College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science & government, landing the #4 spot this year. De Anza College is a very large public school located in the city of Cupertino. In-state tuition and fees average $1,571, compared with $12,596 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,271 to complete the political science & government program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $56,596. That is a strong return on a $7,271 median debt.
University Of Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science & government, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $16,068. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $31,574. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
College Of The Canyons earned the #6 position for value in political science & government this year. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $9,776. Political Science & Government graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College placed #7 among the best values for political science & government. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,464 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $31,005. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.
Cuny Lehman College landed the #8 spot for political science & government value this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,334 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $43,059. That is a strong return on a $12,334 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Brooklyn College placed #9 among the best values for political science & government. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $16,274. Political Science & Government graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $29,577 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
San Diego Miramar College earned the #10 position for value in political science & government this year. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $8,098. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $41,038. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. Students borrow a median of $14,820 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn a median of $35,828 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Cerritos College landed the #12 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $11,306. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University San Bernardino placed #13 among the best values for political science & government. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $17,045. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $30,291. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Cuny City College landed the #14 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Students borrow a median of $11,500 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $29,823. Set against $11,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
Diablo Valley College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,312, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. Students borrow a median of $9,205 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $27,813. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Queens College earned the #16 position for value in political science & government this year. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $34,863. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College landed the #17 spot for political science & government value this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,170 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,050. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $8,794. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $30,111. That is a strong return on a $8,794 median debt.
California State University Los Angeles placed #18 among the best values for political science & government. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $10,614 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $29,818. Set against $10,614 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Skyline College earned the #19 position for value in political science & government this year. Skyline College is a large public school located in the suburb of San Bruno. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, compared with $9,956 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.
Santa Monica College came in at #20 for value in political science & government this year. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
Orange Coast College earned the #21 position for value in political science & government this year. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. In-state tuition and fees average $1,392, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $8,978. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Orange Coast College generally make around $46,306. Set against $8,978 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Fullerton came in at #22 for value in political science & government this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $31,711 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Santa Rosa Junior College landed the #23 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,318, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. That is a strong return on a $14,692 median debt.
Moorpark College placed #24 among the best values for political science & government. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Ana College came in at #25 for value in political science & government this year. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $11,196. Political Science & Government graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $39,633 early in their careers. Set against $11,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s political science & government value ranking:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 694 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 694 ranked schools only.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
[Political Science & Government](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
