2026 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in Georgia
[Political Science & Government](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 33 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 Georgia
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 University Of North Georgia, our #1 best value for political science & government in Georgia. Set in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Set against $22,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Georgia admits about 68% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Georgia one of the best values for political science & government. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $22,171 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $39,842. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Georgia Gwinnett College one of the best values for political science & government. Located in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Georgia Gwinnett College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,532, with out-of-state students paying around $13,844. Students borrow a median of $21,280 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Georgia Gwinnett College earn a median of $55,992 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,280 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Savannah State University earned it the #4 place for political science & government. Set in the city of Savannah, Savannah State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,750, while out-of-state students pay about $19,043. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $31,500. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $34,489. That is a strong return on a $31,500 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Valdosta State University earned it the #5 place for political science & government. Located in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,124, while out-of-state students pay about $17,836. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $25,100 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of Valdosta State University earn a median of $26,576 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,100 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Clayton State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the suburb of Morrow, Clayton State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,180, with out-of-state students paying around $16,532. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $30,500. Political Science & Government graduates of Clayton State University earn a median of $28,784 early in their careers. Set against $30,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Clayton State University admits about 68% of applicants.
Columbus State University came in at #7 for value in political science & government this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,898 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,610 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $28,493. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Columbus State University generally make around $51,154. Set against $28,493 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Augusta University came in at #8 for value in political science & government this year. Set in the city of Augusta, Augusta University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,414, compared with $24,734 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $17,965. Political Science & Government graduates of Augusta University earn a median of $56,168 early in their careers. Set against $17,965 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Georgia State University came in at #9 for value in political science & government this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,664, with out-of-state students paying around $24,840. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $40,911. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.
University Of West Georgia landed the #10 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the town of Carrollton, University Of West Georgia is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,088, while out-of-state students pay about $17,800. Students borrow a median of $30,000 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $31,706. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 52%.
Georgia Southern University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,022, while out-of-state students pay about $17,734. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $27,243. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Georgia Southern University generally make around $30,407. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Kennesaw State University came in at #12 for value in political science & government this year. Set in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,808 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,736. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $25,625. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $36,794. Set against $25,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Georgia College And State University landed the #13 spot for political science & government value this year. Georgia College And State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Milledgeville. Students from in state pay about $9,186 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,512 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $21,965. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $34,321. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Berry College landed the #14 spot for political science & government value this year. Berry College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Mount Berry. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,486. Students borrow a median of $24,797 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Berry College generally make around $50,785. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Mercer University came in at #15 for value in political science & government this year. Mercer University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Macon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,565. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $56,699. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Mercer University admits about 69% of applicants.
Emory University earned the #16 position for value in political science & government this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Emory University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,280. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $17,590. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Emory University generally make around $46,629. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Agnes Scott College came in at #17 for value in political science & government this year. Located in the suburb of Decatur, Agnes Scott College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $50,604 in tuition and fees. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $26,811 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $28,191. Set against $26,811 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Clark Atlanta University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the city of Atlanta, Clark Atlanta University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $28,310. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $28,554. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Morehouse College came in at #19 for value in political science & government this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Morehouse College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $32,893. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $25,125. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Morehouse College generally make around $32,340. Set against $25,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 44%.
Spelman College placed #20 among the best values for political science & government. Set in the city of Atlanta, Spelman College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $31,556. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Spelman College generally make around $39,050. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 25%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 33 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.
