2026 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in Pennsylvania
[Political Science & Government](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 85 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 Pennsylvania
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 Swarthmore College, our #1 best value for political science & government in Pennsylvania. Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Swarthmore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,494. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $19,500. 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. Swarthmore College admits about 8% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania earned it the #2 place for political science & government. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the town of Bloomsburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,046, while out-of-state students pay about $22,870. Median earnings reach $52,416 ten years out. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Pennsylvania Western University one of the best values for political science & government. Pennsylvania Western University is a large public school located in the town of California. In-state tuition and fees average $11,436, with out-of-state students paying around $16,054. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,295 ten years after entry. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,380 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,297 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $27,000. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $40,730. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in political science & government will find it at East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania, which ranked #5. Set in the town of East Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,236, compared with $19,202 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $25,250. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $26,153. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania admits about 92% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,356. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. Pennsylvania State University World Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania placed #7 among the best values for political science & government. Located in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,568, while out-of-state students pay about $14,676. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $29,186 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown came in at #8 for value in political science & government this year. University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Johnstown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,906, compared with $26,780 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,900 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown earn a median of $35,390 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,900 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania earned the #9 position for value in political science & government this year. Located in the suburb of Lincoln University, Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,512, while out-of-state students pay about $19,384. Students borrow a median of $28,500 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $26,037. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania placed #10 among the best values for political science & government. Set in the suburb of Millersville, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,128 in tuition and fees, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania came in at #11 for value in political science & government this year. Set in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,775, while out-of-state students pay about $22,599. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,258 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania placed #12 among the best values for political science & government. Set in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,206, while out-of-state students pay about $16,330. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $38,567. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the suburb of Erie, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,972, while out-of-state students pay about $26,958. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College admits about 97% of applicants.
La Salle University placed #14 among the best values for political science & government. Set in the city of Philadelphia, La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,800. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from La Salle University generally make around $54,618. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg earned the #15 position for value in political science & government this year. Set in the suburb of Middletown, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,972 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,958. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Haverford College earned the #16 position for value in political science & government this year. Haverford College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Haverford. In-state tuition and fees average $70,398. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $79,966. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania came in at #17 for value in political science & government this year. Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Shippensburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,570, while out-of-state students pay about $15,824. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $34,271 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania admits about 86% of applicants.
Misericordia University placed #18 among the best values for political science & government. Misericordia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dallas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,370. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Misericordia University generally make around $37,560. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Misericordia University admits about 71% of applicants.
Arcadia University earned the #19 position for value in political science & government this year. Located in the suburb of Glenside, Arcadia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $49,610 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $26,921. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Arcadia University generally make around $46,764. That is a strong return on a $26,921 median debt. Arcadia University admits about 80% of applicants.
Messiah College placed #20 among the best values for political science & government. Messiah College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Mechanicsburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,240. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $26,195. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Messiah College generally make around $48,957. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Susquehanna University came in at #21 for value in political science & government this year. Located in the town of Selinsgrove, Susquehanna University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,850. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $27,000. Political Science & Government graduates of Susquehanna University earn a median of $46,266 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Susquehanna University admits about 81% of applicants.
Mercyhurst College came in at #22 for value in political science & government this year. Set in the city of Erie, Mercyhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $45,770 in tuition and fees. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $34,711. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Temple University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Temple University is a very large public school located in the city of Philadelphia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,005, while out-of-state students pay about $38,805. Students borrow a median of $25,815 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $36,011. That is a strong return on a $25,815 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus landed the #24 spot for political science & government value this year. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,926, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $25,900 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $35,390. That is a strong return on a $25,900 median debt. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants.
Gettysburg College earned the #25 position for value in political science & government this year. Set in the town of Gettysburg, Gettysburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $66,640. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $27,000. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $43,322. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Rest of the Top 40 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in political science & government:
More Political Science & Government Rankings
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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 · 85 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 32 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.
