2026 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in North Carolina
[Political Science & Government](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. 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 41 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 North Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in political science & government, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Political Science & Government Schools
Leading the list is University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, our #1 best value for political science & government in North Carolina. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $15,100. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $41,200. Set against $15,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $25,000. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $30,925. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at North Carolina A And T State University earned it the #3 place for political science & government. Located in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,813, compared with $20,673 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $29,264 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from North Carolina A And T State University generally make around $42,310. Set against $29,264 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Carolina A And T State University admits about 50% of applicants.
Western Carolina University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science & government, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,630, compared with $8,630 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 $44,926. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the town of Pembroke, University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,648, compared with $7,648 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $22,223. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke admits about 93% of applicants.
Fayetteville State University landed the #6 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,353, compared with $8,353 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $29,390 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $41,449. Set against $29,390 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte placed #7 among the best values for political science & government. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Students from in state pay about $7,239 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $32,780 early in their careers. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of North Carolina At Asheville ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the city of Asheville, University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,501, while out-of-state students pay about $24,849. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $25,821 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Asheville generally make around $23,964. That is a strong return on a $25,821 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned the #9 position for value in political science & government this year. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $23,457. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $38,321. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
Davidson College earned the #10 position for value in political science & government this year. Set in the suburb of Davidson, Davidson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $64,430. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of Davidson College earn a median of $46,232 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 13%.
Appalachian State University landed the #11 spot for political science & government value this year. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,579, with out-of-state students paying around $25,212. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $30,096. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Appalachian State University admits about 90% of applicants.
East Carolina University came in at #12 for value in political science & government this year. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,361 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $25,000. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $35,627. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Winston Salem State University earned the #13 position for value in political science & government this year. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Winston Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,126, while out-of-state students pay about $16,782. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Winston Salem State University generally make around $26,725. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina Central University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the city of Durham, North Carolina Central University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,699, while out-of-state students pay about $19,735. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $24,948. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,277, compared with $24,152 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Wilmington generally make around $31,124. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Wingate University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Wingate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wingate. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,576. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $25,556. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $53,836. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wingate University admits about 91% of applicants.
Belmont Abbey College placed #17 among the best values for political science & government. Located in the suburb of Belmont, Belmont Abbey College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,500. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $27,140. Political Science & Government graduates of Belmont Abbey College earn a median of $40,322 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Wake Forest University came in at #18 for value in political science & government this year. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,642. Students borrow a median of $23,133 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Wake Forest University earn a median of $47,161 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,133 median debt. Roughly 22% of applicants are accepted.
Duke University earned the #19 position for value in political science & government this year. Duke University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,758. Students borrow a median of $14,016 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Duke University generally make around $54,970. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
High Point University came in at #20 for value in political science & government this year. Set in the city of High Point, High Point University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,312. Students borrow a median of $23,785 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of High Point University earn a median of $113,352 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. High Point University admits about 75% of applicants.
Elon University placed #21 among the best values for political science & government. Located in the suburb of Elon, Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $46,958 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $20,500. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $38,836. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 41 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.
