2026 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in the New England Region
[Political Science & Government](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 95 schools to find the best return on investment for political science & government students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in the New England Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in political science & government, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Political Science & Government Schools
Williams College tops our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools in the New England Region. Located in the town of Williamstown, Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,560. Students borrow a median of $10,750 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Williams College earn a median of $56,817 early in their careers. Set against $10,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Williams College admits about 8% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Harvard University earned it the #2 place for political science & government. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $16,616. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $61,543. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Students looking for strong value in political science & government will find it at Amherst College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Amherst, Amherst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,480. Students borrow a median of $15,398 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Amherst College generally make around $61,125. Set against $15,398 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Amherst College admits about 9% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in political science & government will find it at Capital Community College, which ranked #4. Capital Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New Britain. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,338, compared with $15,596 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $12,059 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of Capital Community College earn a median of $43,086 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,059 median debt.
Rhode Island College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,300, with out-of-state students paying around $27,299. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $21,435. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $29,178. Set against $21,435 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Maine placed #6 among the best values for political science & government. University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Portland. Students from in state pay about $12,090 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,940. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $19,212 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Southern Maine earn a median of $28,589 early in their careers. Set against $19,212 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Southern Maine admits about 79% of applicants.
Central Connecticut State University came in at #7 for value in political science & government this year. Located in the suburb of New Britain, Central Connecticut State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,050, with out-of-state students paying around $16,550. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $18,689. Political Science & Government graduates of Central Connecticut State University earn a median of $25,270 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,689 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology earned the #8 position for value in political science & government this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,396. Students borrow a median of $13,516 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Massachusetts Institute Of Technology earn a median of $113,129 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,516 median debt. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology admits about 4% of applicants.
Bridgewater State University placed #9 among the best values for political science & government. Located in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,734, compared with $17,874 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $42,476. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Bowdoin College placed #10 among the best values for political science & government. Set in the town of Brunswick, Bowdoin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,832. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $19,634 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of Bowdoin College earn a median of $60,626 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,634 median debt. Bowdoin College admits about 7% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Boston landed the #11 spot for political science & government value this year. University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public school located in the city of Boston. Students from in state pay about $15,898 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,115. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $24,824 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Boston generally make around $34,499. Set against $24,824 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Framingham State University landed the #12 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the city of Framingham, Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,920, with out-of-state students paying around $18,000. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $25,872 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of Framingham State University earn a median of $37,661 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maine landed the #13 spot for political science & government value this year. Set in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,326, compared with $36,756 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,798 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $38,235. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,966 in tuition and fees, compared with $36,264 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,900 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Lowell generally make around $35,330. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Lowell admits about 83% of applicants.
Salem State University earned the #15 position for value in political science & government this year. Salem State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,338, while out-of-state students pay about $19,531. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $27,176. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $49,656. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Rhode Island came in at #16 for value in political science & government this year. Set in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,942, while out-of-state students pay about $37,146. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Rhode Island generally make around $31,649. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. University Of Rhode Island admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Connecticut landed the #17 spot for political science & government value this year. University Of Connecticut is a very large public school located in the town of Storrs. Students from in state pay about $21,044 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $43,712. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $22,375. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Connecticut earn a median of $37,009 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 52%.
Westfield State University landed the #18 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the suburb of Westfield, Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,179, compared with $18,259 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,783 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $36,577. Set against $24,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Westfield State University admits about 81% of applicants.
University Of Vermont came in at #19 for value in political science & government this year. University Of Vermont is a large public school located in the city of Burlington. Students from in state pay about $19,058 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $45,502. Students borrow a median of $23,127 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Vermont earn a median of $31,594 early in their careers. Set against $23,127 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst placed #20 among the best values for political science & government. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,772, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $24,865 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $43,545. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earned the #21 position for value in political science & government this year. Set in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,612, compared with $32,567 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $24,947. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $36,718. That is a strong return on a $24,947 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Colby College landed the #22 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the town of Waterville, Colby College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $69,600. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $27,000. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $54,353. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 7%.
Wellesley College landed the #23 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the suburb of Wellesley, Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,176. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Wellesley College earn a median of $50,214 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 14%.
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus landed the #24 spot for political science & government value this year. Set in the town of Durham, University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $19,202 in tuition and fees, compared with $39,852 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $38,435. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Southern Connecticut State University placed #25 among the best values for political science & government. Located in the city of New Haven, Southern Connecticut State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,442, with out-of-state students paying around $16,942. Students borrow a median of $26,499 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $41,383. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s political science & government value ranking:
Narrow Political Science & Government Schools by State
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 · 95 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 57 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.
