2026 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in Ohio
[Political Science & Government](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong political science & government education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 54 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value political science & government schools.
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2026 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in Ohio
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in political science & government, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Political Science & Government Schools
Ohio State University Main Campus tops our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools in Ohio. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $35,977. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Youngstown State University one of the best values for political science & government. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,926, with out-of-state students paying around $10,286. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $25,000. Political Science & Government graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $28,148 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Youngstown State University admits about 84% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in political science & government will find it at Wright State University Main Campus, which ranked #3. Wright State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Dayton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,991, with out-of-state students paying around $20,691. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of Wright State University Main Campus earn a median of $27,477 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in political science & government will find it at Cleveland State University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,982, while out-of-state students pay about $18,502. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $22,375. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $26,204. Set against $22,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Students looking for strong value in political science & government will find it at University Of Akron Main Campus, which ranked #5. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,135, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $25,983 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $26,574 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
University Of Toledo landed the #6 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,157 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,517 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Toledo generally make around $32,586. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. University Of Toledo admits about 92% of applicants.
Kent State University At Kent landed the #7 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,220, while out-of-state students pay about $21,575. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $31,389. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.
Ohio University Main Campus placed #8 among the best values for political science & government. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,158, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $24,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $38,753. Set against $24,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus earned the #9 position for value in political science & government this year. Located in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,912, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn a median of $37,329 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bowling Green State University Main Campus admits about 81% of applicants.
Ashland University placed #10 among the best values for political science & government. Ashland University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Ashland. Students from in state pay about $31,210 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,738 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Ashland University generally make around $44,455. Set against $26,738 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #11 for value in political science & government this year. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. Students from in state pay about $13,363 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $24,000. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $37,360. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Cedarville University earned the #12 position for value in political science & government this year. Located in the rural area of Cedarville, Cedarville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $37,150. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $22,110. Political Science & Government graduates of Cedarville University earn a median of $57,104 early in their careers. Set against $22,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Franciscan University Of Steubenville earned the #13 position for value in political science & government this year. Franciscan University Of Steubenville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Steubenville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,100. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $25,029 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Franciscan University Of Steubenville generally make around $43,020. That is a strong return on a $25,029 median debt. Franciscan University Of Steubenville admits about 58% of applicants.
The College Of Wooster landed the #14 spot for political science & government value this year. The College Of Wooster is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Wooster. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,640. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $27,000. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $38,727. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Miami University Oxford landed the #15 spot for political science & government value this year. Set in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,519, with out-of-state students paying around $38,965. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Miami University Oxford generally make around $46,428. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Miami University Oxford admits about 75% of applicants.
John Carroll University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the suburb of University Heights, John Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $50,500. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from John Carroll University generally make around $28,507. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Kenyon College earned the #17 position for value in political science & government this year. Kenyon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Gambier. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,520. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $18,354. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Kenyon College generally make around $39,550. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kenyon College admits about 31% of applicants.
University Of Dayton placed #18 among the best values for political science & government. Located in the city of Dayton, University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,140. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $25,747 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $56,077. Set against $25,747 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Xavier University earned the #19 position for value in political science & government this year. Xavier University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cincinnati. Students from in state pay about $49,425 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Xavier University earn a median of $41,710 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Denison University came in at #20 for value in political science & government this year. Set in the suburb of Granville, Denison University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,000. Students borrow a median of $24,125 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Denison University earn a median of $31,272 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 17%.
Case Western Reserve University came in at #21 for value in political science & government this year. Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $66,608. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $25,106 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Case Western Reserve University generally make around $74,459. That is a strong return on a $25,106 median debt. The acceptance rate is 36%.
Oberlin College came in at #22 for value in political science & government this year. Set in the town of Oberlin, Oberlin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,366. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $24,314 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of Oberlin College earn a median of $30,187 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oberlin College admits about 34% of applicants.
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Notes and References
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 · 54 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 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.
