2026 Best Value Other Political Science & Government Schools
[Other Political Science & Government](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/political-science-and-government-other/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 77 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for other political science & government students.
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Finding the Best Value Other Political Science & Government School for You
Where you study other political science & government affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we built our Best Value Other Political Science & Government Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
See how we build our rankings
One Size Does Not Fit All
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Other Political Science & Government Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
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.
Learn more about our methodology
2026 Best Value Other Political Science & Government Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the other political science & government degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Other Political Science & Government Schools
Leading the list is University Of California Irvine, our #1 best value for other political science & government in the United States. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Students borrow a median of $16,293 to complete the other political science & government program here. Early-career other political science & government graduates make about $31,976. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 29%.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in other political science & government, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Other Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Other Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $41,246 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California San Diego is a great value for students pursuing a degree in other political science & government, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,030 to complete the other political science & government program here. Early-career other political science & government graduates make about $33,345. Set against $16,030 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Purdue University Main Campus one of the best values for other political science & government. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for other political science & government graduates is $20,000. Soon after graduation, other political science & government degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $39,708. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in other political science & government, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Students borrow a median of $19,257 to complete the other political science & government program here. Other Political Science & Government graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $47,626 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,257 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Brigham Young University Provo earned the #6 position for value in other political science & government this year. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $11,745 to complete the other political science & government program here. Early-career other political science & government graduates make about $47,020. Set against $11,745 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.
University Of California Riverside landed the #7 spot for other political science & government value this year. University Of California Riverside is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,636, with out-of-state students paying around $46,524. Other Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $18,300 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other political science & government degree recipients from University Of California Riverside generally make around $30,060. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Davis placed #8 among the best values for other political science & government. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Typical student debt for other political science & government graduates is $14,250. Other Political Science & Government graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $36,208 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,250 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland College Park landed the #9 spot for other political science & government value this year. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for other political science & government graduates is $18,768. Early-career other political science & government graduates make about $42,688. Set against $18,768 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Harvard University placed #10 among the best values for other political science & government. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,676. Other Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Other Political Science & Government graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $61,543 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Johns Hopkins University came in at #11 for value in other political science & government this year. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Typical student debt for other political science & government graduates is $13,426. Other Political Science & Government graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $83,555 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,426 median debt. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #12 for value in other political science & government this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete the other political science & government program here. Early-career other political science & government graduates make about $42,063. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.
University Of Northern Iowa ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value other political science & government schools. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,936, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the other political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, other political science & government degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $37,875. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of Arizona ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value other political science & government schools. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Students borrow a median of $21,630 to complete the other political science & government program here. Early-career other political science & government graduates make about $36,193. Set against $21,630 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Mississippi State University landed the #15 spot for other political science & government value this year. Set in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,202, with out-of-state students paying around $27,637. Other Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $26,547 in student loans. Other Political Science & Government graduates of Mississippi State University earn a median of $29,442 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,547 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
George Mason University placed #16 among the best values for other political science & government. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,220, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Other Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Other Political Science & Government graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $45,846 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants.
Swarthmore College earned the #17 position for value in other political science & government this year. Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Swarthmore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,494. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the other political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, other political science & government degree recipients from Swarthmore College generally make around $40,449. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Swarthmore College admits about 8% of applicants.
University Of Akron Main Campus ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value other political science & government schools. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,135, with out-of-state students paying around $20,815. Students borrow a median of $25,983 to complete the other political science & government program here. Early-career other political science & government graduates make about $26,574. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.
South Dakota State University placed #19 among the best values for other political science & government. South Dakota State University is a large public school located in the town of Brookings. In-state tuition and fees average $9,299, with out-of-state students paying around $12,809. Other Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career other political science & government graduates make about $51,260. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earned the #20 position for value in other political science & government this year. Set in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,277, with out-of-state students paying around $24,152. Typical student debt for other political science & government graduates is $22,250. Soon after graduation, other political science & government degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Wilmington generally make around $46,164. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington admits about 64% of applicants.
Ohio University Main Campus placed #21 among the best values for other political science & government. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Students borrow a median of $24,625 to complete the other political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, other political science & government degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $38,753. Set against $24,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Western Michigan University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value other political science & government schools. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,987, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Other Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $26,564 in student loans. Other Political Science & Government graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $38,744 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.
Mcdaniel College earned the #23 position for value in other political science & government this year. Mcdaniel College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Westminster. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,081. Students borrow a median of $25,362 to complete the other political science & government program here. Other Political Science & Government graduates of Mcdaniel College earn a median of $54,904 early in their careers. Set against $25,362 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Ripon College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value other political science & government schools. Located in the town of Ripon, Ripon College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $51,900. Typical student debt for other political science & government graduates is $26,973. Soon after graduation, other political science & government degree recipients from Ripon College generally make around $35,385. That is a strong return on a $26,973 median debt. Ripon College admits about 80% of applicants.
Regent University came in at #25 for value in other political science & government this year. Regent University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $21,650. Students borrow a median of $29,451 to complete the other political science & government program here. Other Political Science & Government graduates of Regent University earn a median of $64,493 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,451 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Rest of the Top 45 Best Value Other Political Science & Government Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for other political science & government this year:
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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 · 77 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 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.
