2026 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in the Southwest Region
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 123 schools to find the best return on investment for political science & government students.
What’s on this page:
ADVERTISEMENTS
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.
Learn More
2026 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in political science & government, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Political Science & Government Schools
Texas A And M University Central Texas tops our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools in the Southwest Region. Located in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,363, compared with $17,155 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $23,160 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of Texas A And M University Central Texas earn a median of $50,370 early in their careers. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M International University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science & government, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,894, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Students borrow a median of $14,606 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $18,475 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,606 median debt. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Austin Community College District earned it the #3 place for political science & government. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Students borrow a median of $8,333 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,333 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at El Centro College earned it the #4 place for political science & government. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,557 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $41,295 early in their careers. Set against $14,557 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in political science & government will find it at Central New Mexico Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $34,751. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas Pan American landed the #6 spot for political science & government value this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $10,250. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $24,804. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of North Texas At Dallas earned the #7 position for value in political science & government this year. University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Dallas. Students from in state pay about $9,595 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Houston Victoria placed #8 among the best values for political science & government. University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Victoria. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,149, with out-of-state students paying around $16,941. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $24,081 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $47,345. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Houston Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Houston Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,040, while out-of-state students pay about $5,460. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $19,223 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of Houston Community College earn a median of $40,365 early in their careers. Set against $19,223 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New Mexico State University Main Campus ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,183, while out-of-state students pay about $25,307. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $35,393 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Oklahoma City Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,059, with out-of-state students paying around $9,810. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $13,919 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of Oklahoma City Community College earn a median of $39,848 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,919 median debt.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earned the #12 position for value in political science & government this year. Located in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,607, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $20,052 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earn a median of $60,503 early in their careers. Set against $20,052 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin admits about 95% of applicants.
Lone Star College System came in at #13 for value in political science & government this year. Lone Star College System is a very large public school located in the city of The Woodlands. Students from in state pay about $2,664 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,512. Students borrow a median of $10,425 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Lone Star College System generally make around $39,954. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas Womans University came in at #14 for value in political science & government this year. Set in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,640, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $30,162 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $39,272. That is a strong return on a $30,162 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Rice University placed #15 among the best values for political science & government. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $61,247 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $11,904. Political Science & Government graduates of Rice University earn a median of $54,728 early in their careers. Set against $11,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 8%.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned the #16 position for value in political science & government this year. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $20,000. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $30,235. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
Lamar University earned the #17 position for value in political science & government this year. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,905 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $26,988. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $52,678. Set against $26,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At El Paso ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $21,097 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $26,182. Set against $21,097 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.
Arizona State University landed the #19 spot for political science & government value this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $19,257 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $47,626. That is a strong return on a $19,257 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Midwestern State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the city of Wichita Falls, Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,950, with out-of-state students paying around $11,770. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $26,415. Political Science & Government graduates of Midwestern State University earn a median of $49,638 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Houston came in at #21 for value in political science & government this year. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $36,413. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
Mesa Community College came in at #22 for value in political science & government this year. Located in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Mesa Community College earn a median of $54,730 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas A And M University San Antonio came in at #23 for value in political science & government this year. Texas A And M University San Antonio is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of San Antonio. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,654, with out-of-state students paying around $23,255. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $22,771 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $45,681. That is a strong return on a $22,771 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas came in at #24 for value in political science & government this year. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $17,750. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $34,195. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Northern Arizona University placed #25 among the best values for political science & government. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,619 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $35,220. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in political science & government:
Narrow Political Science & Government Schools by State
More Political Science & Government Rankings
View All Political Science & Government Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 123 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 44 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.
