2027 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in Pennsylvania
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 41 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for political science & government students.
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2027 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in Pennsylvania
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 Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus this year. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Indiana. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,380, with out-of-state students paying around $16,297. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $40,730. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania earned it the #2 place for political science & government. Located in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,046 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,870. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $29,025 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $40,245 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,025 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown one of the best values for political science & government. Set in the suburb of Johnstown, University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,906 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,780. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $25,900 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $35,390. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Pennsylvania Western University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,436 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,054. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $28,263. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Pennsylvania Western University generally make around $35,152. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science & government, landing the #5 spot this year. East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of East Stroudsburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,236, with out-of-state students paying around $19,202. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $26,153. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,356 in tuition and fees. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of Pennsylvania State University World Campus earn a median of $41,201 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania earned the #7 position for value in political science & government this year. Set in the suburb of Lincoln University, Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,512, while out-of-state students pay about $19,384. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $28,500. Political Science & Government graduates of Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $26,037 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania admits about 66% of applicants.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania came in at #8 for value in political science & government this year. Located in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,568, compared with $14,676 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $26,000. Political Science & Government graduates of Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $29,186 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Westminster College Pa placed #9 among the best values for political science & government. Located in the rural area of New Wilmington, Westminster College Pa is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $40,290 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $26,528. Political Science & Government graduates of Westminster College Pa earn a median of $41,105 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Swarthmore College earned the #10 position for value in political science & government this year. Set in the suburb of Swarthmore, Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,494. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of Swarthmore College earn a median of $40,449 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania came in at #11 for value in political science & government this year. Located in the suburb of Millersville, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,128, while out-of-state students pay about $22,952. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $33,605. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania landed the #12 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,206, compared with $16,330 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $38,567. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania came in at #13 for value in political science & government this year. Located in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,775, while out-of-state students pay about $22,599. Median earnings reach $61,258 ten years out. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania admits about 78% of applicants.
Allegheny College came in at #14 for value in political science & government this year. Set in the town of Meadville, Allegheny College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,550. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Allegheny College generally make around $30,834. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg landed the #15 spot for political science & government value this year. Set in the suburb of Middletown, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,972 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,958. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $41,201. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg admits about 98% of applicants.
Haverford College earned the #16 position for value in political science & government this year. Set in the suburb of Haverford, Haverford College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,398. Median earnings reach $79,966 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania earned the #17 position for value in political science & government this year. Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Shippensburg. Students from in state pay about $13,570 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,824 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $34,271. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania admits about 86% of applicants.
Washington And Jefferson College landed the #18 spot for political science & government value this year. Washington And Jefferson College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Washington. In-state tuition and fees average $29,392. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Washington And Jefferson College generally make around $39,484. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Elizabethtown College came in at #19 for value in political science & government this year. Set in the suburb of Elizabethtown, Elizabethtown College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,950 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $27,000. Political Science & Government graduates of Elizabethtown College earn a median of $57,397 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of Pennsylvania ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,686. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $14,722 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $65,473. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Wilkes University came in at #21 for value in political science & government this year. Located in the city of Wilkes-Barre, Wilkes University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $43,496 in tuition and fees. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $26,601 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Wilkes University generally make around $64,004. That is a strong return on a $26,601 median debt. Wilkes University admits about 91% of applicants.
Temple University landed the #22 spot for political science & government value this year. Temple University is a very large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,005, with out-of-state students paying around $38,805. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $25,815. Political Science & Government graduates of Temple University earn a median of $36,011 early in their careers. Set against $25,815 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Muhlenberg College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the city of Allentown, Muhlenberg College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $62,805 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $26,950. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $25,058. That is a strong return on a $26,950 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Saint Josephs University earned the #24 position for value in political science & government this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Saint Josephs University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,260. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $38,894. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. Saint Josephs University admits about 89% of applicants.
Arcadia University came in at #25 for value in political science & government this year. Arcadia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Glenside. In-state tuition and fees average $49,610. Students borrow a median of $26,921 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Arcadia University earn a median of $46,764 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 41 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for political science & government this year:
More Political Science & Government Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 41 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 41 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.
