[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 1304 schools to find the best return on investment for political science & government students.
Cuny Hunter College tops our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $9,531 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $35,154. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Florida one of the best values for political science & government. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $16,068 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $31,574 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,068 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in political science & government will find it at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,464 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $31,005 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 48%.
A rank of #4 makes Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice one of the best values for political science & government. Set in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $15,420. 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. That is a strong return on a $14,820 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
A rank of #5 makes Cuny Brooklyn College one of the best values for political science & government. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $16,274. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $29,577. That is a strong return on a $16,274 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
California State University Dominguez Hills ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,268 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $25,837. That is a strong return on a $10,268 median debt. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
Cuny Queens College placed #7 among the best values for political science & government. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $34,863. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
Cuny Lehman College came in at #8 for value in political science & government 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, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fullerton came in at #9 for value in political science & government this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $15,000. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $31,711. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny City College came in at #10 for value in political science & government this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Students borrow a median of $11,500 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $29,823 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Central Texas came in at #11 for value in political science & government this year. Set in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,363, with out-of-state students paying around $17,155. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $23,160 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Texas A And M University Central Texas generally make around $50,370. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Princeton University placed #12 among the best values for political science & government. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.
California State University San Bernardino placed #13 among the best values for political science & government. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,045 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $30,291. That is a strong return on a $17,045 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Los Angeles earned the #14 position for value in political science & government this year. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Students borrow a median of $10,614 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $29,818. Set against $10,614 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
Berea College earned the #15 position for value in political science & government this year. Set in the town of Berea, Berea College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,658. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $5,801 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Berea College generally make around $31,428. That is a strong return on a $5,801 median debt. Roughly 19% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny College Of Staten Island earned the #16 position for value in political science & government this year. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. Students from in state pay about $7,490 in tuition and fees, 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. Set against $12,603 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.
California State University Fresno earned the #17 position for value in political science & government this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, 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. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Stanford University came in at #18 for value in political science & government this year. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $12,000. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $59,297. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
California State University Northridge came in at #19 for value in political science & government this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $14,202. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $32,014. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
California State University Long Beach placed #20 among the best values for political science & government. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,928 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $32,168. That is a strong return on a $14,928 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
California State University Stanislaus earned the #21 position for value in political science & government this year. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. Students from in state pay about $8,242 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. Students borrow a median of $15,484 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from California State University Stanislaus generally make around $29,533. That is a strong return on a $15,484 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
California State University Sacramento landed the #22 spot for political science & government value this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $16,084. Political Science & Government graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $36,189 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State University earned the #23 position for value in political science & government this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $18,700. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $34,745. Set against $18,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
California State University Channel Islands earned the #24 position for value in political science & government this year. California State University Channel Islands is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Camarillo. In-state tuition and fees average $7,159, with out-of-state students paying around $19,759. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $34,799. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Brigham Young University Idaho earned the #25 position for value in political science & government this year. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $16,551. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Brigham Young University Idaho generally make around $32,983. That is a strong return on a $16,551 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for political science & government this year:
The ranking above is published 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 573 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.
