by our College Data Analytics Team
[Political Science & Government](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 1304 schools to find the best return on investment for political science & government students.
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Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Gain a solid understanding of American political history, the current political landscape, and the major political parties with this online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the political science & government degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is El Camino Community College District, our #1 best value for political science & government in the United States. Located in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,144, compared with $7,630 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,589.
College Of The Canyons came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at De Anza College earned it the #3 place for political science & government. De Anza College is a very large public school located in the city of Cupertino. In-state tuition and fees average $1,571, with out-of-state students paying around $12,596. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $7,271 in student loans. Median earnings reach $56,596 ten years out. Set against $7,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in political science & government will find it at Moorpark College, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Orange Coast College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science & government, landing the #5 spot this year. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,392, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Students borrow a median of $8,978 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $46,306. Set against $8,978 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cerritos College placed #6 among the best values for political science & government. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $29,495. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.
San Diego Miramar College earned the #7 position for value in political science & government this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $8,098. Political Science & Government graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.
Mt San Antonio College placed #8 among the best values for political science & government. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Diablo Valley College came in at #9 for value in political science & government this year. Set in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,312, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $9,205 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Diablo Valley College generally make around $27,813. Set against $9,205 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Rosa Junior College landed the #10 spot for political science & government value this year. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $14,692. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $80,047. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
American River College landed the #11 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $14,105 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $76,077. Set against $14,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saddleback College earned the #12 position for value in political science & government this year. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,432, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $5,707. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Saddleback College generally make around $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
San Diego Mesa College landed the #13 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. Set against $6,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grossmont College placed #14 among the best values for political science & government. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, compared with $10,628 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,309 ten years after entry.
Irvine Valley College landed the #15 spot for political science & government value this year. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $11,860. Students borrow a median of $6,672 to complete the political science & government program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,156. Set against $6,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santiago Canyon College earned the #16 position for value in political science & government this year. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,164, while out-of-state students pay about $9,612. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Santiago Canyon College generally make around $34,100. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Sacramento City College came in at #17 for value in political science & government this year. Sacramento City College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $13,180 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Sacramento City College generally make around $46,522. Set against $13,180 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Valley College placed #18 among the best values for political science & government. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $0, while out-of-state students pay about $9,320. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $14,308. Political Science & Government graduates of West Valley College earn a median of $25,378 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sierra College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Sierra College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rocklin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,446. Students borrow a median of $12,733 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $29,214. That is a strong return on a $12,733 median debt.
Santa Monica College placed #20 among the best values for political science & government. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
Golden West College came in at #21 for value in political science & government this year. Located in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,380, with out-of-state students paying around $11,628. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $21,500. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $82,984. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College landed the #22 spot for political science & government value this year. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earned the #23 position for value in political science & government this year. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,170, with out-of-state students paying around $8,050. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $8,794. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College generally make around $30,111. That is a strong return on a $8,794 median debt.
Las Positas College placed #24 among the best values for political science & government. Located in the city of Livermore, Las Positas College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,168, compared with $9,808 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $51,088 ten years out.
College Of The Sequoias ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,394 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $10,288 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $37,749 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in political science & government:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Political Science & Government rankings across degree levels:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 1304 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
