2026 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in Maryland

[Political Science & Government](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 21 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 Maryland
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in political science & government, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Political Science & Government Schools
Leading the list is University Of Maryland University College, our #1 best value for political science & government in Maryland. Set in the suburb of Adelphi, University Of Maryland University College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,136 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,336 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,600 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Maryland University College earn a median of $62,476 early in their careers. Set against $17,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Maryland College Park earned it the #2 place for political science & government. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $18,768 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $42,688. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Morgan State University earned it the #3 place for political science & government. Located in the city of Baltimore, Morgan State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,229 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,124 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $29,750. Political Science & Government graduates of Morgan State University earn a median of $37,900 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Towson University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Towson University is a very large public school located in the city of Towson. Students from in state pay about $11,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,820 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,875 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Towson University generally make around $42,648. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Towson University admits about 82% of applicants.
Salisbury University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the suburb of Salisbury, Salisbury University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,084, with out-of-state students paying around $22,174. Students borrow a median of $23,160 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Salisbury University earn a median of $33,397 early in their careers. Set against $23,160 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Johns Hopkins University placed #6 among the best values for political science & government. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. 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. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $83,555. Set against $13,426 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Baltimore earned the #7 position for value in political science & government this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, University Of Baltimore is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $23,984. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $29,681. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Baltimore earn a median of $56,837 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Baltimore admits about 79% of applicants.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County placed #8 among the best values for political science & government. Located in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,256 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,225. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $22,000. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $33,549. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
St Marys College Of Maryland ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the rural area of St. Mary's City, St Marys College Of Maryland is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,298, compared with $31,374 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from St Marys College Of Maryland generally make around $41,665. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Mcdaniel College earned the #10 position for value in political science & government this year. Mcdaniel College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Westminster. In-state tuition and fees average $52,081. Students borrow a median of $25,362 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $54,904. Set against $25,362 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Mount St Marys University landed the #11 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the rural area of Emmitsburg, Mount St Marys University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $48,630. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $27,000. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $29,800. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Washington College placed #12 among the best values for political science & government. Washington College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Chestertown. Students from in state pay about $55,081 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $24,721. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $36,741. Set against $24,721 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Washington College admits about 57% of applicants.
Loyola University Baltimore earned the #13 position for value in political science & government this year. Loyola University Baltimore is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $57,150. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $27,000. Political Science & Government graduates of Loyola University Baltimore earn a median of $44,572 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Loyola University Baltimore admits about 76% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.