2026 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in Massachusetts
[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.
College Factual analyzed 44 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value political science & government schools.
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Featured Political Science & Government Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
BA in Political Science
Gain a solid understanding of American political history, the current political landscape, and the major political parties with this online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.
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2026 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in Massachusetts
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
For return on investment in political science & government, no school beat Williams College this year. 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. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Students looking for strong value in political science & government will find it at Harvard University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,676. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $16,616. Political Science & Government graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $61,543 early in their careers. 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,480. Students borrow a median of $15,398 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $61,125. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Amherst College admits about 9% of applicants.
Bridgewater State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,734, with out-of-state students paying around $17,874. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Bridgewater State University generally make around $42,476. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Framingham State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science & government, landing the #5 spot this year. Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Framingham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,920, while out-of-state students pay about $18,000. Students borrow a median of $25,872 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Framingham State University generally make around $37,661. Set against $25,872 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Framingham State University admits about 84% of applicants.
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology placed #6 among the best values for political science & government. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,396. Students borrow a median of $13,516 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $113,129. Set against $13,516 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of Massachusetts Boston placed #7 among the best values for political science & government. Located in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,898, with out-of-state students paying around $38,115. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $24,824 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Massachusetts Boston earn a median of $34,499 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Salem State University landed the #8 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,338 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,531. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $27,176. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Salem State University generally make around $49,656. That is a strong return on a $27,176 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst came in at #9 for value in political science & government this year. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,772, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $24,865 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $43,545. Set against $24,865 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell earned the #10 position for value in political science & government this year. Set in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,966, while out-of-state students pay about $36,264. Students borrow a median of $19,900 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of $35,330 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,900 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Westfield State University landed the #11 spot for political science & government value this year. Set in the suburb of Westfield, Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,179, while out-of-state students pay about $18,259. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $24,783 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of Westfield State University earn a median of $36,577 early in their careers. Set against $24,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Wellesley College earned the #12 position for value in political science & government this year. Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wellesley. In-state tuition and fees average $67,176. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $12,500 in student loans. 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. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth placed #13 among the best values for political science & government. Located in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,612, while out-of-state students pay about $32,567. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $24,947. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earn a median of $36,718 early in their careers. Set against $24,947 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Smith College placed #14 among the best values for political science & government. Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Northampton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,178. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $19,000. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Smith College generally make around $42,327. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. Smith College admits about 21% of applicants.
Boston University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,102. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $45,021. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants.
Simmons College came in at #16 for value in political science & government this year. Set in the city of Boston, Simmons College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,874. Students borrow a median of $25,330 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Simmons College earn a median of $39,657 early in their careers. Set against $25,330 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Simmons College admits about 70% of applicants.
Clark University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the city of Worcester, Clark University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,467. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Clark University generally make around $33,625. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Assumption College earned the #18 position for value in political science & government this year. Set in the city of Worcester, Assumption College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $51,356. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $38,496. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Mount Holyoke College landed the #19 spot for political science & government value this year. Mount Holyoke College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of South Hadley. In-state tuition and fees average $67,018. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $21,000. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $48,690. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
Stonehill College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Stonehill College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Easton. In-state tuition and fees average $56,370. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Stonehill College generally make around $45,195. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Suffolk University came in at #21 for value in political science & government this year. Located in the city of Boston, Suffolk University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,550. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Suffolk University generally make around $44,845. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Wheaton College Massachusetts ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the suburb of Norton, Wheaton College Massachusetts is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $63,960. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $26,298 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $32,669. Set against $26,298 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wheaton College Massachusetts admits about 68% of applicants.
Emmanuel College Massachusetts landed the #23 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the city of Boston, Emmanuel College Massachusetts is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $48,550. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Emmanuel College Massachusetts generally make around $38,004. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Emmanuel College Massachusetts admits about 76% of applicants.
Northeastern University earned the #24 position for value in political science & government this year. Located in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $66,162 in tuition and fees. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $22,579 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of Northeastern University earn a median of $52,516 early in their careers. Set against $22,579 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Brandeis University earned the #25 position for value in political science & government this year. Located in the city of Waltham, Brandeis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,080 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,333 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Brandeis University earn a median of $43,770 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,333 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Rest of the Top 28 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s political science & government value ranking:
More Political Science & Government Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 44 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 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.
