[Political Science & Government](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong political science & government education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 608 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value political science & government schools.
For return on investment in political science & government, no school beat Princeton University this year. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $10,888. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $63,317. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Students looking for strong value in political science & government will find it at Cuny Hunter College, which ranked #2. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Students borrow a median of $9,531 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $35,154 early in their careers. Set against $9,531 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Florida earned it the #3 place for political science & government. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $16,068. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $31,574 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,464 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $31,005. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Lehman College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science & government, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $12,334 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $43,059. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
Cuny Brooklyn College placed #6 among the best values for political science & government. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Students borrow a median of $16,274 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $29,577 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,274 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice placed #7 among the best values for political science & government. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $14,820 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $35,828. Set against $14,820 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
California State University San Bernardino ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $17,045 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny City College came in at #9 for value in political science & government this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $11,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $29,823. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Cuny Queens College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $11,000. Political Science & Government graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $34,863 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
California State University Los Angeles placed #11 among the best values for political science & government. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $10,614 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $29,818 early in their careers. Set against $10,614 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fullerton landed the #12 spot for political science & government value 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, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $15,000. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $31,711. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
Cuny College Of Staten Island ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,490, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $12,603. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $34,610. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill placed #14 among the best values for political science & government. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $15,100 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $41,200 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,100 median debt. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
Berea College placed #15 among the best values for political science & government. Set in the town of Berea, Berea College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,658. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $5,801. Political Science & Government graduates of Berea College earn a median of $31,428 early in their careers. Set against $5,801 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 19% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Northridge placed #16 among the best values for political science & government. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $14,202 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $32,014 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,202 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
California State University Sacramento placed #17 among the best values for political science & government. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $16,084 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $36,189 early in their careers. Set against $16,084 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
California State University East Bay landed the #18 spot for political science & government value this year. Set in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,583, while out-of-state students pay about $20,183. Students borrow a median of $19,544 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $40,460 early in their careers. Set against $19,544 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
California State University Fresno landed the #19 spot for political science & government value this year. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $14,528 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $21,674. That is a strong return on a $14,528 median debt. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
California State University Stanislaus ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,242, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $15,484. Political Science & Government graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $29,533 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $18,700 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $34,745. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Utah Valley University earned the #22 position for value in political science & government this year. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $21,413 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $36,857 early in their careers. Set against $21,413 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #23 for value in political science & government this year. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $10,268 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $25,837 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Pan American landed the #24 spot for political science & government value this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Students borrow a median of $10,250 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $24,804. Set against $10,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston Victoria landed the #25 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,149, with out-of-state students paying around $16,941. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $24,081. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Houston Victoria earn a median of $47,345 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,081 median debt. University Of Houston Victoria admits about 96% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in political science & government:
This list is compiled 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 · 608 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 608 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/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong political science & government education at a price that pays off.
