2026 Best Value Political Economy Bachelor’s Degree Schools

1

California State University San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA

Leading the list is California State University San Bernardino, our #1 best value for political economy in the United States. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Political Economy graduates carry a median of $17,045 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political economy degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $42,421. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.

2

University Of Washington Bothell Campus
Bothell, WA

University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political economy, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,919, while out-of-state students pay about $43,155. Political Economy graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Political Economy graduates of University Of Washington Bothell Campus earn a median of $41,246 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Bothell Campus admits about 91% of applicants.

3

Suny College At Old Westbury
Old Westbury, NY

Students looking for strong value in political economy will find it at Suny College At Old Westbury, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,372 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,842 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political economy graduates is $22,250. Soon after graduation, political economy degree recipients from Suny College At Old Westbury generally make around $34,666. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

4

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

A rank of #4 makes Arizona State University one of the best values for political economy. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Political Economy graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Political Economy graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $42,481 early in their careers. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

5

Suny At Geneseo
Geneseo, NY

Suny At Geneseo is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political economy, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Geneseo, Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,999, while out-of-state students pay about $19,569. Typical student debt for political economy graduates is $19,500. Political Economy graduates of Suny At Geneseo earn a median of $37,022 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Suny At Geneseo admits about 66% of applicants.

6

University Of Toledo
Toledo, OH

University Of Toledo landed the #6 spot for political economy value this year. University Of Toledo is a large public school located in the city of Toledo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,157, compared with $21,517 for out-of-state students. Political Economy graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political economy degree recipients from University Of Toledo generally make around $32,586. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Toledo admits about 92% of applicants.

7

University Of Massachusetts Amherst
Amherst, MA

University Of Massachusetts Amherst came in at #7 for value in political economy this year. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,772, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. Students borrow a median of $24,865 to complete the political economy program here. Political Economy graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $53,543 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,865 median debt. University Of Massachusetts Amherst admits about 60% of applicants.

8

La Salle University
Philadelphia, PA

La Salle University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value political economy schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $37,800. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the political economy program here. Early-career political economy graduates make about $54,618. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. La Salle University admits about 97% of applicants.

9

Rhodes College
Memphis, TN

Rhodes College placed #9 among the best values for political economy. Rhodes College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Memphis. Students from in state pay about $57,110 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the political economy program here. Political Economy graduates of Rhodes College earn a median of $35,537 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.

10

Temple University
Philadelphia, PA

Temple University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value political economy schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $23,005, while out-of-state students pay about $38,805. Students borrow a median of $25,815 to complete the political economy program here. Political Economy graduates of Temple University earn a median of $36,011 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,815 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

11

Muhlenberg College
Allentown, PA

Muhlenberg College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value political economy schools. Set in the city of Allentown, Muhlenberg College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,805. Typical student debt for political economy graduates is $26,950. Political Economy graduates of Muhlenberg College earn a median of $25,058 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.

12

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California came in at #12 for value in political economy this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $71,647 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for political economy graduates is $12,869. Early-career political economy graduates make about $38,063. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.

13

Emmanuel College Massachusetts
Boston, MA

Emmanuel College Massachusetts placed #13 among the best values for political economy. Emmanuel College Massachusetts is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,550. Political Economy graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Political Economy graduates of Emmanuel College Massachusetts earn a median of $44,194 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

14

Duke University
Durham, NC

Duke University came in at #14 for value in political economy this year. Located in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,758. Students borrow a median of $14,016 to complete the political economy program here. Soon after graduation, political economy degree recipients from Duke University generally make around $54,970. Set against $14,016 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Duke University admits about 6% of applicants.

15

Rollins College
Winter Park, FL

Rollins College came in at #15 for value in political economy this year. Set in the suburb of Winter Park, Rollins College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $60,580. Typical student debt for political economy graduates is $25,362. Soon after graduation, political economy degree recipients from Rollins College generally make around $36,309. That is a strong return on a $25,362 median debt. Rollins College admits about 48% of applicants.

16

Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA

Drexel University placed #16 among the best values for political economy. Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,412. Typical student debt for political economy graduates is $28,838. Soon after graduation, political economy degree recipients from Drexel University generally make around $67,556. That is a strong return on a $28,838 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.

17

University Of Puget Sound
Tacoma, WA

University Of Puget Sound ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value political economy schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $22,801 to complete the political economy program here. Soon after graduation, political economy 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.

18

Georgetown University
Washington, DC

Georgetown University earned the #18 position for value in political economy this year. Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,089. Political Economy graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Political Economy graduates of Georgetown University earn a median of $55,247 early in their careers. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgetown University admits about 13% of applicants.

19

Tulane University Of Louisiana
New Orleans, LA

Tulane University Of Louisiana earned the #19 position for value in political economy this year. Located in the city of New Orleans, Tulane University Of Louisiana is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,678. Political Economy graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Political Economy graduates of Tulane University Of Louisiana earn a median of $41,265 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 14%.