2026 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in New York
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 80 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 New York
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the political science & government degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Political Science & Government Schools
Leading the list is Cuny Hunter College, our #1 best value for political science & government in New York. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, 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. That is a strong return on a $9,531 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earned it the #2 place for political science & government. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,464, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $12,000. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $31,005. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Cuny Brooklyn College one of the best values for political science & government. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $16,274. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $29,577. Set against $16,274 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in political science & government will find it at Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice, which ranked #4. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $14,820. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $35,828. That is a strong return on a $14,820 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
A rank of #5 makes Cuny Lehman College one of the best values for political science & government. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. 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. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Queens College landed the #6 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny City College landed the #7 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $11,500. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $29,823. That is a strong return on a $11,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,170 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,050 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $8,794 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College generally make around $30,111. Set against $8,794 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny College Of Staten Island earned the #9 position for value in political science & government this year. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,490 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. 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. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.
Suffolk County Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,630, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $11,246 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $35,667 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suny College At Old Westbury came in at #11 for value in political science & government this year. Set in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public institution. 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. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Suny College At Old Westbury generally make around $34,666. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Stony Brook University placed #12 among the best values for political science & government. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Set against $19,406 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Geneseo placed #13 among the best values for political science & government. Located in the town of Geneseo, Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,999, compared with $19,569 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $27,814. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Buffalo ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,533, while out-of-state students pay about $19,653. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $26,875. Political Science & Government graduates of Suny College At Buffalo earn a median of $35,158 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Albany ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,601, while out-of-state students pay about $30,991. Students borrow a median of $22,750 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Suny At Albany earn a median of $33,251 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Columbia University In The City Of New York placed #16 among the best values for political science & government. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $22,943 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $61,077. Set against $22,943 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Suny College At Brockport came in at #17 for value in political science & government this year. Located in the town of Brockport, Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,752, with out-of-state students paying around $15,822. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $25,370. Political Science & Government graduates of Suny College At Brockport earn a median of $24,036 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
State University Of New York At New Paltz placed #18 among the best values for political science & government. Located in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,572 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,822. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from State University Of New York At New Paltz generally make around $24,676. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. State University Of New York At New Paltz admits about 62% of applicants.
Suny College At Oswego came in at #19 for value in political science & government this year. Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Oswego. In-state tuition and fees average $8,825, with out-of-state students paying around $18,735. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $24,376. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Suny College At Oswego generally make around $28,678. That is a strong return on a $24,376 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Suny College At Oneonta came in at #20 for value in political science & government this year. Suny College At Oneonta is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Oneonta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,831, compared with $19,781 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,375 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Suny College At Oneonta generally make around $32,295. That is a strong return on a $22,375 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Saint Josephs College New York came in at #21 for value in political science & government this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Saint Josephs College New York is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $36,550. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $25,485. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $34,334. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Niagara University placed #22 among the best values for political science & government. Niagara University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Niagara University. In-state tuition and fees average $39,345. 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. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Binghamton came in at #23 for value in political science & government this year. Suny At Binghamton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Vestal. Students from in state pay about $10,567 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,447. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Suny At Binghamton generally make around $37,194. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Cortland placed #24 among the best values for political science & government. Suny College At Cortland is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Cortland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,874, compared with $18,784 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $24,138. Political Science & Government graduates of Suny College At Cortland earn a median of $29,143 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,138 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
University At Buffalo earned the #25 position for value in political science & government this year. University At Buffalo is a very large public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. Students from in state pay about $10,936 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,536 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,750 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $27,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% 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:
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), 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 · 80 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 54 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.
