2026 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in Florida

[Political Science & Government](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong political science & government education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 28 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for political science & government students.
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2026 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in Florida
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in political science & government, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Political Science & Government Schools
University Of Florida tops our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools in Florida. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $16,068. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $31,574. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Florida Atlantic University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $31,641 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
A rank of #3 makes University Of South Florida Main Campus one of the best values for political science & government. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $20,609. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $34,965. Set against $20,609 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in political science & government will find it at Florida International University, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,250 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $26,983. Set against $15,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
The University Of West Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science & government, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,776 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $19,677 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $34,484 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,677 median debt. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.
Florida Gulf Coast University landed the #6 spot for political science & government value this year. Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,118, with out-of-state students paying around $25,162. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $21,478 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $35,578. That is a strong return on a $21,478 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State University placed #7 among the best values for political science & government. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $18,700. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $40,695. That is a strong return on a $18,700 median debt. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
University Of North Florida earned the #8 position for value in political science & government this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,964, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $17,276. 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. University Of North Florida admits about 53% of applicants.
University Of Central Florida ranked #9 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. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $21,344 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $35,937 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,785, with out-of-state students paying around $17,725. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $28,141. Political Science & Government graduates of Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University earn a median of $30,798 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,141 median debt. The acceptance rate is 21%.
Stetson University came in at #11 for value in political science & government this year. Set in the city of DeLand, Stetson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $57,410 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $23,750. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Stetson University generally make around $26,839. That is a strong return on a $23,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Flagler College St Augustine came in at #12 for value in political science & government this year. Flagler College St Augustine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Augustine. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,900. Students borrow a median of $25,547 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Flagler College St Augustine earn a median of $33,583 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,547 median debt. Flagler College St Augustine admits about 81% of applicants.
Nova Southeastern University earned the #13 position for value in political science & government this year. Nova Southeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Fort Lauderdale. Students from in state pay about $38,700 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $25,021. Political Science & Government graduates of Nova Southeastern University earn a median of $70,595 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Rollins College came in at #14 for value in political science & government this year. Rollins College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Winter Park. Students from in state pay about $60,580 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,362 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Rollins College earn a median of $36,309 early in their careers. Set against $25,362 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Keiser University Ft Lauderdale placed #15 among the best values for political science & government. Keiser University Ft Lauderdale is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Lauderdale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,056. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $36,416. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $45,965. That is a strong return on a $36,416 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
The University Of Tampa ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the city of Tampa, The University Of Tampa is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,408. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $24,000. Political Science & Government graduates of The University Of Tampa earn a median of $40,505 early in their careers. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Miami earned the #17 position for value in political science & government this year. Set in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $62,616. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $33,867. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Miami admits about 19% of applicants.
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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 · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 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.