2026 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in New Jersey

[Political Science & Government](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 24 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for political science & government students.
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2026 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in New Jersey
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 earned the #1 spot for value among political science & government schools in New Jersey. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $10,888. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $63,317. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Montclair State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science & government, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,912, while out-of-state students pay about $26,022. 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%.
Kean University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science & government, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,299, compared with $22,446 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of Kean University earn a median of $30,436 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Kean University admits about 76% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at William Paterson University Of New Jersey earned it the #4 place for political science & government. Set in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,704, compared with $25,344 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of William Paterson University Of New Jersey earn a median of $37,801 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. William Paterson University Of New Jersey admits about 90% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in political science & government will find it at Rutgers University Camden, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Camden, Rutgers University Camden is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,764, compared with $37,276 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,188 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Rutgers University Camden earn a median of $39,723 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,188 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Rutgers University Newark landed the #6 spot for political science & government value this year. Set in the city of Newark, Rutgers University Newark is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,250, while out-of-state students pay about $36,762. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $24,188 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $44,285. That is a strong return on a $24,188 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey came in at #7 for value in political science & government this year. Located in the rural area of Galloway, The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,266, while out-of-state students pay about $24,524. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $21,675 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey earn a median of $30,891 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Ramapo College Of New Jersey placed #8 among the best values for political science & government. Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Mahwah. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,777, while out-of-state students pay about $27,708. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $20,631 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $36,050. That is a strong return on a $20,631 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Rowan University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,574, compared with $26,932 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $24,265 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $26,042. Set against $24,265 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University New Brunswick placed #10 among the best values for political science & government. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,188 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $44,285. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
The College Of New Jersey landed the #11 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the suburb of Ewing, The College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,632, with out-of-state students paying around $25,752. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $25,625 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of The College Of New Jersey earn a median of $40,229 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,625 median debt. The College Of New Jersey admits about 62% of applicants.
Drew University earned the #12 position for value in political science & government this year. Set in the suburb of Madison, Drew University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,100. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Drew University generally make around $35,171. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Seton Hall University came in at #13 for value in political science & government this year. Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of South Orange. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,170. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Seton Hall University generally make around $28,138. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Monmouth University placed #14 among the best values for political science & government. Monmouth University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of West Long Branch. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $46,552. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $30,366. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Monmouth University admits about 89% 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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 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.