2027 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in North Carolina
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 21 schools to find the best return on investment for political science & government students.
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2027 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in North Carolina
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 Carolina At Chapel Hill, our #1 best value for political science & government in North Carolina. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Students borrow a median of $15,100 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $41,200. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 15%.
A rank of #2 makes North Carolina A And T State University one of the best values for political science & government. Located in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,813 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,673. Students borrow a median of $29,264 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of North Carolina A And T State University earn a median of $42,310 early in their careers. Set against $29,264 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Carolina A And T State University admits about 50% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in political science & government will find it at University Of North Carolina At Greensboro, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $25,000. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $30,925 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in political science & government will find it at University Of North Carolina At Pembroke, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Pembroke, University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Fayetteville State University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,353, compared with $8,353 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $29,390 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Fayetteville State University generally make around $41,449. Set against $29,390 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of North Carolina At Asheville landed the #6 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the city of Asheville, University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,501, compared with $24,849 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,821 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of North Carolina At Asheville earn a median of $23,964 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Western Carolina University landed the #7 spot for political science & government value this year. Western Carolina University is a large public school located in the town of Cullowhee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,630, compared with $8,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $25,000. Political Science & Government graduates of Western Carolina University earn a median of $44,926 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,239, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $24,000. 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. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte admits about 80% of applicants.
Davidson College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the suburb of Davidson, Davidson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,430. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $19,500. 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%.
East Carolina University earned the #10 position for value in political science & government this year. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,361, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $35,627 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Students borrow a median of $23,457 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $38,321. Set against $23,457 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Appalachian State University earned the #12 position for value in political science & government this year. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,579 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,212. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of Appalachian State University earn a median of $30,096 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Winston Salem State University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Winston Salem State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Winston-Salem. In-state tuition and fees average $6,126, compared with $16,782 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $26,000. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $26,725. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina Central University placed #14 among the best values for political science & government. North Carolina Central University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Durham. In-state tuition and fees average $6,699, while out-of-state students pay about $19,735. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from North Carolina Central University generally make around $24,948. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earned the #15 position for value in political science & government this year. Located in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,277 in tuition and fees, 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. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Wingate University ranked #16 on our 2027 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. In-state tuition and fees average $42,576. Students borrow a median of $25,556 to complete the political science & government program here. 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.
Wake Forest University landed the #17 spot for political science & government value this year. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,642. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $23,133 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Wake Forest University generally make around $47,161. That is a strong return on a $23,133 median debt. Wake Forest University admits about 22% of applicants.
Duke University came in at #18 for value in political science & government this year. Set in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,758. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $14,016. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Duke University generally make around $54,970. Set against $14,016 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Queens University Of Charlotte ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Queens University Of Charlotte is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Charlotte. Students from in state pay about $45,846 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,245 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $59,654. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 62%.
High Point University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the city of High Point, High Point University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,312. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $23,785 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of High Point University earn a median of $113,352 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,785 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Elon University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. 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. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of Elon University earn a median of $38,836 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 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.
