2026 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in Michigan

[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 30 schools to find the best return on investment for political science & government students.
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2026 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in Michigan
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
University Of Michigan Dearborn tops our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools in Michigan. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,640, while out-of-state students pay about $32,896. Students borrow a median of $23,175 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $32,266. Set against $23,175 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 56%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned it the #2 place for political science & government. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Students borrow a median of $18,862 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $39,702. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%.
A rank of #3 makes Oakland University one of the best values for political science & government. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,054 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $29,080. Set against $23,054 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Flint is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science & government, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,236, while out-of-state students pay about $27,790. Students borrow a median of $31,016 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Michigan Flint earn a median of $51,692 early in their careers. Set against $31,016 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Flint admits about 70% of applicants.
Wayne State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,159, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $23,812. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $30,345. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Saginaw Valley State University came in at #6 for value in political science & government this year. Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Center. Students from in state pay about $12,930 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,450 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $30,596 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $35,059. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Central Michigan University placed #7 among the best values for political science & government. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,480. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $27,239. Political Science & Government graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $36,006 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Albion College came in at #8 for value in political science & government this year. Set in the town of Albion, Albion College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,950. Students borrow a median of $26,267 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Albion College earn a median of $39,066 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Grand Valley State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. In-state tuition and fees average $15,502, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $35,358 early in their careers. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Grand Valley State University admits about 83% of applicants.
Eastern Michigan University came in at #10 for value in political science & government this year. Set in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,990. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of Eastern Michigan University earn a median of $30,137 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Michigan University landed the #11 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $14,322 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,944. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $16,199. Political Science & Government graduates of Northern Michigan University earn a median of $32,795 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,199 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Western Michigan University landed the #12 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,987, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $26,564. Political Science & Government graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $38,744 early in their careers. Set against $26,564 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.
Michigan State University came in at #13 for value in political science & government this year. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,576 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $39,514. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Hope College placed #14 among the best values for political science & government. Located in the city of Holland, Hope College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $39,484. Students borrow a median of $24,499 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Hope College generally make around $32,389. Set against $24,499 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 30 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 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.