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Featured Political Science & Government Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
BA in Political Science
Gain a solid understanding of American political history, the current political landscape, and the major political parties with this online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.
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2026 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in Tennessee
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in political science & government, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Political Science & Government Schools
The University Of Tennessee Martin earned the #1 spot for value among political science & government schools in Tennessee. The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Martin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,560, with out-of-state students paying around $16,600. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $23,770. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee Martin generally make around $40,400. Set against $23,770 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Tennessee Martin admits about 88% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public school located in the city of Chattanooga. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,448, with out-of-state students paying around $18,512. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $22,150. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga generally make around $39,490. Set against $22,150 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Middle Tennessee State University one of the best values for political science & government. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,266, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $23,250. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $31,012. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in political science & government will find it at Tennessee State University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Nashville, Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,616, with out-of-state students paying around $22,416. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $35,206. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Tennessee Technological University earned it the #5 place for political science & government. Set in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,376, with out-of-state students paying around $15,576. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $17,580 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Tennessee Technological University generally make around $34,105. Set against $17,580 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Tennessee Technological University admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Memphis ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,728, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Students borrow a median of $24,450 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Memphis generally make around $27,600. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.
East Tennessee State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,216, while out-of-state students pay about $13,726. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $37,594. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Austin Peay State University placed #8 among the best values for political science & government. Austin Peay State University is a large public school located in the city of Clarksville. Students from in state pay about $9,006 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,766. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $25,500. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Austin Peay State University generally make around $34,635. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Vanderbilt University earned the #9 position for value in political science & government this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $12,000. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $46,843. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 6%.
The University Of Tennessee placed #10 among the best values for political science & government. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $29,728 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.
Rhodes College came in at #11 for value in political science & government this year. Located in the city of Memphis, Rhodes College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $57,110. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of Rhodes College earn a median of $35,537 early in their careers. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rhodes College admits about 50% of applicants.
Sewanee The University Of The South came in at #12 for value in political science & government this year. Located in the rural area of Sewanee, Sewanee The University Of The South is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,120. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $24,267. Political Science & Government graduates of Sewanee The University Of The South earn a median of $31,831 early in their careers. Set against $24,267 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Belmont University earned the #13 position for value in political science & government this year. Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,540. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $23,447. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $49,699. Set against $23,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 27 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
[Political Science & Government](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
