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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value American Government & Politics (United States) Schools

7 Colleges in the United States
$23,566 Avg Student Debt
$65,000 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value American Government & Politics (United States) Badge [American Government & Politics (United States)](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/american-government-and-politics-united-states/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 43 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for american government & politics (united states) students.

What’s on this page:

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Finding the Best Value American Government & Politics (United States) School for You

The american government & politics (united states) program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value American Government & Politics (United States) Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.

Read more about our methodology

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value American Government & Politics (United States) Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.

Associate's Degrees in American Government & Politics (United States)
Bachelor's Degrees in American Government & Politics (United States)
Master's Degrees in American Government & Politics (United States)
Doctorate Degrees in American Government & Politics (United States)

To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.

See how we build our rankings

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2026 Best Value American Government & Politics (United States) Schools in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in american government & politics (united states), balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value American Government & Politics (United States) Schools

1

University Of California San Diego earned the #1 spot for value among american government & politics (united states) schools in the United States. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. American Government & Politics (United States) graduates carry a median of $16,030 in student loans. Early-career american government & politics (united states) graduates make about $60,797. That is a strong return on a $16,030 median debt. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.

2

University Of Nebraska At Omaha came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value american government & politics (united states) schools. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public school located in the city of Omaha. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,718, with out-of-state students paying around $23,206. Students borrow a median of $22,119 to complete the american government & politics (united states) program here. American Government & Politics (United States) graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of $46,884 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.

3
Indiana State University crest
Indiana State University
Terre Haute, IN

A rank of #3 makes Indiana State University one of the best values for american government & politics (united states). Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Terre Haute. Students from in state pay about $10,258 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,322. Students borrow a median of $25,987 to complete the american government & politics (united states) program here. American Government & Politics (United States) graduates of Indiana State University earn a median of $53,952 early in their careers. Set against $25,987 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.

4

Oklahoma City Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value american government & politics (united states) schools. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,059 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,810. Typical student debt for american government & politics (united states) graduates is $13,919. American Government & Politics (United States) 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.

5

Students looking for strong value in american government & politics (united states) will find it at University Of Memphis, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,384. American Government & Politics (United States) graduates carry a median of $24,450 in student loans. Soon after graduation, american government & politics (united states) degree recipients from University Of Memphis generally make around $27,600. Set against $24,450 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.

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6

University Of Baltimore ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value american government & politics (united states) schools. Located in the city of Baltimore, University Of Baltimore is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, compared with $23,984 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for american government & politics (united states) graduates is $29,681. Early-career american government & politics (united states) graduates make about $56,837. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.

7

University Of Massachusetts Boston came in at #7 for value in american government & politics (united states) this year. Set in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,898, while out-of-state students pay about $38,115. Students borrow a median of $24,824 to complete the american government & politics (united states) program here. American Government & Politics (United States) graduates of University Of Massachusetts Boston earn a median of $34,499 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,824 median debt. University Of Massachusetts Boston admits about 84% of applicants.

8

South Dakota State University came in at #8 for value in american government & politics (united states) this year. Set in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,299 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for american government & politics (united states) graduates is $25,000. American Government & Politics (United States) graduates of South Dakota State University earn a median of $51,260 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

9

Salem State University landed the #9 spot for american government & politics (united states) value this year. Set in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,338 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,531 for out-of-state students. American Government & Politics (United States) graduates carry a median of $27,176 in student loans. Early-career american government & politics (united states) graduates make about $49,656. That is a strong return on a $27,176 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.

10

Western Michigan University landed the #10 spot for american government & politics (united states) value this year. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,987, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. American Government & Politics (United States) graduates carry a median of $26,564 in student loans. American Government & Politics (United States) graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $38,744 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,564 median debt. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.

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11

University Of Missouri Columbia landed the #11 spot for american government & politics (united states) value this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,837, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. American Government & Politics (United States) graduates carry a median of $22,517 in student loans. American Government & Politics (United States) graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $37,722 early in their careers. Set against $22,517 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.

12

University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown placed #12 among the best values for american government & politics (united states). University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Johnstown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,906, while out-of-state students pay about $26,780. Students borrow a median of $25,900 to complete the american government & politics (united states) program here. Soon after graduation, american government & politics (united states) degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown generally make around $35,390. Set against $25,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

13

Willamette University placed #13 among the best values for american government & politics (united states). Located in the city of Salem, Willamette University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $51,156. American Government & Politics (United States) graduates carry a median of $21,331 in student loans. American Government & Politics (United States) graduates of Willamette University earn a median of $35,162 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,331 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

14

Belmont Abbey College earned the #14 position for value in american government & politics (united states) this year. Belmont Abbey College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Belmont. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,500. Typical student debt for american government & politics (united states) graduates is $27,140. Early-career american government & politics (united states) graduates make about $40,322. That is a strong return on a $27,140 median debt. Belmont Abbey College admits about 75% of applicants.

15
Taylor University crest
Taylor University
Upland, IN

Taylor University came in at #15 for value in american government & politics (united states) this year. Taylor University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Upland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,490. Typical student debt for american government & politics (united states) graduates is $21,832. American Government & Politics (United States) graduates of Taylor University earn a median of $45,090 early in their careers. Set against $21,832 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.

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16

Misericordia University landed the #16 spot for american government & politics (united states) value this year. Misericordia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dallas. Students from in state pay about $40,370 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for american government & politics (united states) graduates is $27,000. Early-career american government & politics (united states) graduates make about $37,560. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.

17
Drake University crest
Drake University
Des Moines, IA

Drake University earned the #17 position for value in american government & politics (united states) this year. Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Des Moines. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,960. American Government & Politics (United States) graduates carry a median of $21,138 in student loans. Soon after graduation, american government & politics (united states) degree recipients from Drake University generally make around $56,228. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Drake University admits about 64% of applicants.

18

Emmanuel College Massachusetts earned the #18 position for value in american government & politics (united states) this year. Set in the city of Boston, Emmanuel College Massachusetts is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,550. Typical student debt for american government & politics (united states) graduates is $26,500. American Government & Politics (United States) graduates of Emmanuel College Massachusetts earn a median of $38,004 early in their careers. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Emmanuel College Massachusetts admits about 76% of applicants.

19

Catholic University Of America placed #19 among the best values for american government & politics (united states). Catholic University Of America is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Students from in state pay about $58,378 in tuition and fees. American Government & Politics (United States) graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, american government & politics (united states) degree recipients from Catholic University Of America generally make around $44,617. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.

20

George Washington University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value american government & politics (united states) schools. Set in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,710. Typical student debt for american government & politics (united states) graduates is $23,000. Soon after graduation, american government & politics (united states) degree recipients from George Washington University generally make around $62,004. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 47% of applicants are accepted.

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21

University Of Puget Sound earned the #21 position for value in american government & politics (united states) this year. University Of Puget Sound is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Tacoma. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,898. American Government & Politics (United States) graduates carry a median of $22,801 in student loans. Soon after graduation, american government & politics (united states) degree recipients from University Of Puget Sound generally make around $31,290. Set against $22,801 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Puget Sound admits about 72% of applicants.

22
Georgetown University crest
Georgetown University
Washington, DC

Georgetown University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value american government & politics (united states) schools. Set in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,089. Typical student debt for american government & politics (united states) graduates is $16,500. Soon after graduation, american government & politics (united states) degree recipients from Georgetown University generally make around $79,632. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 13%.

23
Villanova University crest
Villanova University
Villanova, PA

Villanova University earned the #23 position for value in american government & politics (united states) this year. Set in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,776. American Government & Politics (United States) graduates carry a median of $25,620 in student loans. Soon after graduation, american government & politics (united states) degree recipients from Villanova University generally make around $72,601. That is a strong return on a $25,620 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.

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American Government & Politics (United States) is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.

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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 · 43 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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