2027 Best Value Political Science & Government Associate’s Degree Schools
[Political Science & Government](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 83 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for political science & government students.
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2027 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the political science & government degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Political Science & Government Schools
Leading the list is West Valley College, our #1 best value for political science & government in the United States. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. In-state tuition and fees average $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. That is a strong return on a $14,308 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in political science & government will find it at De Anza College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,571 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,596 for out-of-state students. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of The Canyons earned it the #3 place for political science & government. 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. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $51,913. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at San Diego Miramar College earned it the #4 place for political science & government. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Students borrow a median of $8,098 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. Set against $8,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Cerritos College one of the best values for political science & government. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. 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. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $29,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Diablo Valley College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,312, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $9,205 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $27,813. Set against $9,205 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earned the #7 position for value in political science & government this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,170 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,050. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $8,794. Political Science & Government graduates of Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earn a median of $30,111 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,794 median debt.
Santa Monica College earned the #8 position for value in political science & government this year. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
Skyline College came in at #9 for value in political science & government this year. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,702.
Orange Coast College placed #10 among the best values for political science & government. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,392, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $8,978. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $46,306. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. 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, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $14,692. Political Science & Government graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,692 median debt.
Moorpark College came in at #12 for value in political science & government this year. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Ana College came in at #13 for value in political science & government this year. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $39,633 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,196 median debt.
Santiago Canyon College placed #14 among the best values for political science & government. Set in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,164 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,612 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. 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.
Saddleback College placed #15 among the best values for political science & government. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Modesto Junior College landed the #16 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,282, with out-of-state students paying around $9,264. Students borrow a median of $8,575 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Modesto Junior College earn a median of $36,525 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Irvine Valley College landed the #17 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, compared with $11,860 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $6,672 in student loans. Median earnings reach $49,156 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $6,672 median debt.
Pasadena City College placed #18 among the best values for political science & government. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $38,841. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Grossmont College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Grossmont College is a very large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $10,628. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,309.
Cypress College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,150, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,533.
Foothill College came in at #21 for value in political science & government this year. Set in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,565, compared with $12,590 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,595 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Foothill College earn a median of $94,152 early in their careers. Set against $11,595 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Las Positas College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Las Positas College is a large public school located in the city of Livermore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,168, compared with $9,808 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,088 ten years after entry.
Mt San Antonio College placed #23 among the best values for political science & government. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Diego Mesa College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. 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.
Butte College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the rural area of Oroville, Butte College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,356, compared with $9,276 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $13,302 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Butte College generally make around $67,048. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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:
Other Political Science & Government Degree Levels
Explore the best-value political science & government schools at other degree levels:
View All Political Science & Government Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 83 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 83 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
