2027 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[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 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 122 schools to find the best return on investment for political science & government students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in political science & government, balancing cost against outcomes.
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. Students from in state pay about $62,688 in tuition and fees. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $63,317. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Hunter College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science & government, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $9,531 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $35,154. 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 Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earned it the #3 place for political science & government. 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. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $12,000. Political Science & Government graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $31,005 early in their careers. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Brooklyn College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science & government, landing the #4 spot this year. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $16,274. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $29,577. That is a strong return on a $16,274 median debt. Roughly 58% 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. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $12,334 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earned the #6 position for value in political science & government this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $14,820 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $35,828. Set against $14,820 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland College Park landed the #7 spot for political science & government value this year. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $18,768. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $42,688. Set against $18,768 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
Cuny City College came in at #8 for value in political science & government this year. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Students borrow a median of $11,500 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $29,823. Set against $11,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Cuny Queens College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $34,863. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,170, while out-of-state students pay about $8,050. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $8,794 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $30,111. That is a strong return on a $8,794 median debt.
Cuny College Of Staten Island ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. Students borrow a median of $12,603 to complete the political science & government program here. 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%.
Suffolk County Community College landed the #12 spot for political science & government value this year. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $11,246 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $35,667. Set against $11,246 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wilmington University came in at #13 for value in political science & government this year. Set in the suburb of New Castle, Wilmington University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,630. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $26,054. Political Science & Government graduates of Wilmington University earn a median of $57,142 early in their careers. Set against $26,054 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County landed the #14 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,256, compared with $31,225 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Maryland Baltimore County earn a median of $33,549 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Old Westbury landed the #15 spot for political science & government value this year. Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Old Westbury. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,372, with out-of-state students paying around $18,842. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $22,250. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $34,666. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Baltimore landed the #16 spot for political science & government value this year. University Of Baltimore is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Baltimore. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $23,984. Students borrow a median of $29,681 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $56,837. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Baltimore admits about 79% of applicants.
Johns Hopkins University landed the #17 spot for political science & government value this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $64,730 in tuition and fees. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $83,555 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,426 median debt. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.
University Of Delaware ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,810 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,998 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Delaware earn a median of $31,972 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,998 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Towson University came in at #19 for value in political science & government this year. Set in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,820. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $20,875. Political Science & Government graduates of Towson University earn a median of $42,648 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Towson University admits about 82% of applicants.
Suny At Albany landed the #20 spot for political science & government value this year. Suny At Albany is a very large public school located in the city of Albany. In-state tuition and fees average $10,601, while out-of-state students pay about $30,991. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $22,750. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $33,251. Set against $22,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny At Albany admits about 69% of applicants.
Montclair State University came in at #21 for value in political science & government this year. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,912, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Montclair State University generally make around $26,704. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Niagara University placed #22 among the best values for political science & government. Niagara University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Niagara University. Students from in state pay about $39,345 in tuition and fees. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $26,208 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Niagara University generally make around $51,918. Set against $26,208 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Niagara University admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of The District Of Columbia earned the #23 position for value in political science & government this year. Set in the city of Washington, University Of The District Of Columbia is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,662, compared with $12,514 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $36,562 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of The District Of Columbia earn a median of $49,935 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suny College At Potsdam placed #24 among the best values for political science & government. Suny College At Potsdam is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Potsdam. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,768, compared with $18,678 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $26,540. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $32,485. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Salisbury University earned the #25 position for value in political science & government this year. Set in the suburb of Salisbury, Salisbury University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,084, with out-of-state students paying around $22,174. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $23,160. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Salisbury University generally make around $33,397. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in political science & government:
Narrow Political Science & Government Schools by State
More Political Science & Government Rankings
View All Political Science & Government Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 122 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 122 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.
