2026 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in the Southeast Region
[Political Science & Government](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 292 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value political science & government schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in the Southeast Region
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 University Of Florida this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $16,068. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $31,574. Set against $16,068 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in political science & government will find it at Berea College, which ranked #2. Set in the town of Berea, Berea College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $51,658 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $5,801 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Berea College earn a median of $31,428 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,801 median debt. The acceptance rate is 19%.
Florida State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,700 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $40,695. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at American Public University System earned it the #4 place for political science & government. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400. Students borrow a median of $18,304 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $63,036. That is a strong return on a $18,304 median debt.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science & government, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $15,100 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $41,200. Set against $15,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 15%.
Florida Atlantic University landed the #6 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $31,641. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,609 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $34,965. That is a strong return on a $20,609 median debt. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
Florida International University came in at #8 for value in political science & government this year. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $15,250. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $26,983. That is a strong return on a $15,250 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Murray State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,900, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $23,420 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $48,423. That is a strong return on a $23,420 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
The University Of West Florida placed #10 among the best values for political science & government. The University Of West Florida is a large public school located in the rural area of Pensacola. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,776, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,677 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $34,484. That is a strong return on a $19,677 median debt. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.
University Of North Florida landed the #11 spot for political science & government value this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,964, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $17,276 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $37,841. Set against $17,276 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Gulf Coast University placed #12 among the best values for political science & government. Set in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,118, compared with $25,162 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,478 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $35,578. That is a strong return on a $21,478 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Kentucky University placed #13 among the best values for political science & government. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,088, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $52,565. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Students borrow a median of $21,344 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $35,937 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,344 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Kentucky University placed #15 among the best values for political science & government. Set in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,320 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,230 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $21,498 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Eastern Kentucky University generally make around $35,899. Set against $21,498 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Kentucky University admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of Georgia placed #16 among the best values for political science & government. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $22,171. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $39,842. Set against $22,171 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee Martin placed #17 among the best values for political science & government. Located in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,560, with out-of-state students paying around $16,600. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $23,770. Political Science & Government graduates of The University Of Tennessee Martin earn a median of $40,400 early in their careers. Set against $23,770 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro landed the #18 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $30,925. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Alabama earned the #19 position for value in political science & government this year. University Of North Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Florence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,120, compared with $22,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $21,449. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $41,357. That is a strong return on a $21,449 median debt. University Of North Alabama admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of North Georgia placed #20 among the best values for political science & government. University Of North Georgia is a very large public school located in the town of Dahlonega. In-state tuition and fees average $5,444, while out-of-state students pay about $16,956. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $22,026. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $37,227. That is a strong return on a $22,026 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina A And T State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,813, with out-of-state students paying around $20,673. Students borrow a median of $29,264 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from North Carolina A And T State University generally make around $42,310. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Carolina A And T State University admits about 50% of applicants.
Georgia Gwinnett College placed #22 among the best values for political science & government. Set in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Georgia Gwinnett College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,532, compared with $13,844 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $21,280 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of Georgia Gwinnett College earn a median of $55,992 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga came in at #23 for value in political science & government this year. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public school located in the city of Chattanooga. In-state tuition and fees average $10,448, compared with $18,512 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $22,150 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga generally make around $39,490. That is a strong return on a $22,150 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Shepherd University placed #24 among the best values for political science & government. Shepherd University is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Shepherdstown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,056, compared with $19,082 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $23,326. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Shepherd University generally make around $40,748. Set against $23,326 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke came in at #25 for value in political science & government this year. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Pembroke. Students from in state pay about $3,648 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,648. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Pembroke generally make around $22,223. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
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:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 292 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 126 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.
