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.
What’s on this page:
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.