2026 Best Value American Government & Politics (United States) Schools in the Far Western Region
[American Government & Politics (United States)](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/american-government-and-politics-united-states/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 4 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for american government & politics (united states) students.
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2026 Best Value American Government & Politics (United States) Schools in the Far Western Region
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
Our analysis ranked University Of California San Diego the best value for a degree in american government & politics (united states) in the Far Western Region. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Typical student debt for american government & politics (united states) graduates is $16,030. American Government & Politics (United States) graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $60,797 early in their careers. Set against $16,030 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
Willamette University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value american government & politics (united states) schools. Set in the city of Salem, Willamette University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $51,156 in tuition and fees. American Government & Politics (United States) graduates carry a median of $21,331 in student loans. Early-career american government & politics (united states) graduates make about $35,162. That is a strong return on a $21,331 median debt. Willamette University admits about 77% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in american government & politics (united states) will find it at University Of Puget Sound, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Tacoma, University Of Puget Sound is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $62,898. American Government & Politics (United States) graduates carry a median of $22,801 in student loans. American Government & Politics (United States) graduates of University Of Puget Sound earn a median of $31,290 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Puget Sound admits about 72% of applicants.
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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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
