2027 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in Ohio
[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 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 23 schools to find the best return on investment for political science & government students.
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2027 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
Our analysis ranked Sinclair Community College the best value for a degree in political science & government in Ohio. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. In-state tuition and fees average $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $12,525. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $35,348. That is a strong return on a $12,525 median debt.
Ohio State University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science & government, landing the #2 spot this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the political science & government program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 61%.
A rank of #3 makes Youngstown State University one of the best values for political science & government. Youngstown State University is a large public school located in the city of Youngstown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,926, with out-of-state students paying around $10,286. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $28,148 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Youngstown State University admits about 84% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in political science & government will find it at Cleveland State University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,982 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,502. Students borrow a median of $22,375 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Cleveland State University earn a median of $26,204 early in their careers. Set against $22,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,135, with out-of-state students paying around $20,815. Students borrow a median of $25,983 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $26,574. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Wright State University Main Campus earned the #6 position for value in political science & government this year. Set in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,991 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,691 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $26,000. Political Science & Government graduates of Wright State University Main Campus earn a median of $27,477 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Toledo earned the #7 position for value in political science & government this year. Set in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,157, with out-of-state students paying around $21,517. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Kent State University At Kent placed #8 among the best values for political science & government. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. Students from in state pay about $12,220 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $31,389. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.
Ohio University Main Campus earned the #9 position for value in political science & government this year. 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. Political Science & Government graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $38,753 early in their careers. Set against $24,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Ashland University placed #10 among the best values for political science & government. Located in the town of Ashland, Ashland University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,210. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $26,738 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of Ashland University earn a median of $44,455 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,738 median debt. Ashland University admits about 76% of applicants.
Capital University landed the #11 spot for political science & government value this year. Capital University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Columbus. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $43,234. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $26,218. Political Science & Government graduates of Capital University earn a median of $39,807 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,218 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
The College Of Wooster landed the #12 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. In-state tuition and fees average $61,640. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $38,727. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus landed the #13 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,912, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Main Campus generally make around $37,329. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bowling Green State University Main Campus admits about 81% of applicants.
Cedarville University placed #14 among the best values for political science & government. Located in the rural area of Cedarville, Cedarville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,150. Students borrow a median of $22,110 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Cedarville University earn a median of $57,104 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #15 among the best values for political science & government. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,363, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $37,360. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Miami University Oxford landed the #16 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,519, with out-of-state students paying around $38,965. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of Miami University Oxford earn a median of $46,428 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Miami University Oxford admits about 75% of applicants.
John Carroll University earned the #17 position for value in political science & government this year. Set in the suburb of University Heights, John Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $50,500. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $28,507. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
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. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Dayton admits about 65% of applicants.
Xavier University placed #19 among the best values for political science & government. Set in the city of Cincinnati, Xavier University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $49,425. 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. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Kenyon College earned the #20 position for value in political science & government this year. Set in the rural area of Gambier, Kenyon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,520. Students borrow a median of $18,354 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Kenyon College generally make around $39,550. Set against $18,354 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 31%.
Oberlin College earned the #21 position for value in political science & government this year. Oberlin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Oberlin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,366. Students borrow a median of $24,314 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Oberlin College earn a median of $30,187 early in their careers. Set against $24,314 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 34%.
Denison University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the suburb of Granville, Denison University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,000. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $24,125. Political Science & Government graduates of Denison University earn a median of $31,272 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 17% of applicants are accepted.
Case Western Reserve University earned the #23 position for value in political science & government this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $66,608. Students borrow a median of $25,106 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $74,459. That is a strong return on a $25,106 median debt. The acceptance rate is 36%.
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Notes and References
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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 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.
