2026 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 221 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 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
Princeton University tops our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the political science & government program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Cuny Hunter College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science & government, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Students borrow a median of $9,531 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $35,154 early in their careers. Set against $9,531 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,464, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $12,000. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $31,005. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earned it the #4 place for political science & government. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,820 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn a median of $35,828 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,820 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Cuny Brooklyn College one of the best values for political science & government. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Students borrow a median of $16,274 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $29,577 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
Cuny Lehman College earned the #6 position for value in political science & government this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. 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. That is a strong return on a $12,334 median debt. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
Cuny Queens College came in at #7 for value in political science & government this year. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $34,863 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland College Park earned the #8 position for value in political science & government this year. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Students borrow a median of $18,768 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $42,688 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,768 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Cuny City College earned the #9 position for value in political science & government this year. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $11,500 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $29,823. That is a strong return on a $11,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College landed the #10 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,170, compared with $8,050 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,794 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College generally make around $30,111. That is a strong return on a $8,794 median debt.
Johns Hopkins University placed #11 among the best values for political science & government. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $64,730. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $83,555. Set against $13,426 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Cuny College Of Staten Island ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $12,603. Political Science & Government graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $34,610 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Suffolk County Community College came in at #13 for value in political science & government this year. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. 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. That is a strong return on a $11,246 median debt.
University Of Maryland University College came in at #14 for value in political science & government this year. University Of Maryland University College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Adelphi. Students from in state pay about $8,136 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,336. Students borrow a median of $17,600 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $62,476. Set against $17,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny College At Old Westbury earned the #15 position for value in political science & government 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, compared with $18,842 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $22,250. Political Science & Government graduates of Suny College At Old Westbury earn a median of $34,666 early in their careers. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Delaware came in at #16 for value in political science & government this year. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,810, while out-of-state students pay about $41,400. Students borrow a median of $24,998 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Delaware generally make around $31,972. That is a strong return on a $24,998 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Towson University earned the #17 position for value in political science & government this year. Located in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,728, with out-of-state students paying around $29,820. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $20,875 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $42,648. Set against $20,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Towson University admits about 82% of applicants.
Montclair State University landed the #18 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,912 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,022 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $26,000. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $26,704. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Swarthmore College earned the #19 position for value in political science & government this year. Located in the suburb of Swarthmore, Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,494. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $40,449. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Swarthmore College admits about 8% of applicants.
Stony Brook University placed #20 among the best values for political science & government. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,931, while out-of-state students pay about $32,741. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $19,406 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $36,480. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County placed #21 among the best values for political science & government. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,256 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,225 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Maryland Baltimore County generally make around $33,549. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Salisbury University placed #22 among the best values for political science & government. Set in the suburb of Salisbury, Salisbury University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,084, while out-of-state students pay about $22,174. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $23,160. Political Science & Government graduates of Salisbury University earn a median of $33,397 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,160 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Suny At Geneseo landed the #23 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the town of Geneseo, Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,999 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,569 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Suny At Geneseo earn a median of $27,814 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
University Of The District Of Columbia placed #24 among the best values for political science & government. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $12,514. Students borrow a median of $36,562 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of The District Of Columbia earn a median of $49,935 early in their careers. Set against $36,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Morgan State University landed the #25 spot for political science & government value this year. Morgan State University is a large public school located in the city of Baltimore. Students from in state pay about $8,229 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,124. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $29,750. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $37,900. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in political science & government:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 221 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 124 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.
