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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Other Political Science & Government Bachelor’s Degree Schools

19 Colleges in the United States
$21,491 Avg Student Debt
$69,484 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Other Political Science & Government Bachelor's Degree Badge [Other Political Science & Government](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/political-science-and-government-other/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

College Factual analyzed 77 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value other political science & government schools.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Other Political Science & Government Schools in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in other political science & government, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Other Political Science & Government Schools

1

University Of California Irvine tops our 2026 list of the best value other political science & government schools in the United States. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for other political science & government graduates is $16,293. Soon after graduation, other political science & government degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $31,976. That is a strong return on a $16,293 median debt. The acceptance rate is 29%.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned it the #2 place for other political science & government. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.

3

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. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Typical student debt for other political science & government graduates is $16,030. Early-career other political science & government graduates make about $33,345. Set against $16,030 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.

4
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value other political science & government schools. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the other political science & government program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 50%.

5

Arizona State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value other political science & government schools. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the other political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, other political science & government degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $42,481. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.

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6

Brigham Young University Provo ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value other political science & government schools. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,688. Other Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $11,745 in student loans. Other Political Science & Government graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $47,020 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,745 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of California Riverside earned the #7 position for value in other political science & government this year. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,636 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. Students borrow a median of $18,300 to complete the other political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, other political science & government degree recipients from University Of California Riverside generally make around $30,060. That is a strong return on a $18,300 median debt. University Of California Riverside admits about 76% of applicants.

8

University Of California Davis came in at #8 for value in other political science & government this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Other Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $14,250 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 42%.

9

University Of Maryland College Park placed #9 among the best values for other political science & government. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Typical student debt for other political science & government graduates is $18,768. Other Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $42,688 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

10
Harvard University crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value other political science & government schools. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the other political science & government program here. Early-career other political science & government graduates make about $61,543. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

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11

University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #11 position 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. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Typical student debt for other political science & government graduates is $22,000. Soon after graduation, other political science & government degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $42,063. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.

12

Johns Hopkins University landed the #12 spot for other political science & government value this year. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. In-state tuition and fees average $64,730. Other Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other political science & government degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $83,555. That is a strong return on a $13,426 median debt. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.

13

University Of Northern Iowa came in at #13 for value in other political science & government this year. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,936, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Other Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Other Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $37,875 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

14

University Of Arizona ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value other political science & government schools. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Other Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $21,630 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other political science & government degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $36,193. That is a strong return on a $21,630 median debt. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.

15
Mississippi State University crest
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS

Mississippi State University came in at #15 for value in other political science & government this year. Located in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,202, with out-of-state students paying around $27,637. Typical student debt for other political science & government graduates is $26,547. Soon after graduation, other political science & government degree recipients from Mississippi State University generally make around $29,442. That is a strong return on a $26,547 median debt. Mississippi State University admits about 78% of applicants.

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16

George Mason University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value other political science & government schools. 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. Typical student debt for other political science & government graduates is $22,000. Soon after graduation, other political science & government degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $45,846. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.

17
Swarthmore College crest
Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, PA

Swarthmore College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value other political science & government schools. Located in the suburb of Swarthmore, Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,494. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the other political science & government program here. Early-career other political science & government graduates make about $40,449. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.

18

University Of Akron Main Campus came in at #18 for value in other political science & government this year. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. In-state tuition and fees average $13,135, with out-of-state students paying around $20,815. Typical student debt for other political science & government graduates is $25,983. Soon after graduation, other political science & government degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $26,574. That is a strong return on a $25,983 median debt. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.

19

South Dakota State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value other political science & government schools. Located in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,299, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the other political science & government program here. Other Political Science & Government graduates of South Dakota State University earn a median of $51,260 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. South Dakota State University admits about 98% of applicants.

20

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington landed the #20 spot for other political science & government value this year. Set in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,277 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,152. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the other political science & government program here. Early-career other political science & government graduates make about $46,164. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington admits about 64% of applicants.

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21

Ohio University Main Campus landed the #21 spot for other political science & government value this year. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Other Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $24,625 in student loans. 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. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.

22

Western Michigan University came in at #22 for value in other political science & government this year. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,987 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Typical student debt for other political science & government graduates is $26,564. Early-career other political science & government graduates make about $38,744. That is a strong return on a $26,564 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

23
Mcdaniel College crest
Mcdaniel College
Westminster, MD

Mcdaniel College earned the #23 position for value in other political science & government this year. Located in the town of Westminster, Mcdaniel College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $52,081. Other Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $25,362 in student loans. Early-career other political science & government graduates make about $54,904. Set against $25,362 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.

24
Ripon College crest
Ripon College
Ripon, WI

Ripon College came in at #24 for value in other political science & government this year. Set in the town of Ripon, Ripon College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $51,900 in tuition and fees. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

25

Grand Canyon University placed #25 among the best values for other political science & government. Set in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,508. Typical student debt for other political science & government graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, other political science & government degree recipients from Grand Canyon University generally make around $37,704. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Grand Canyon University admits about 79% of applicants.

Rest of the Top 44 Best Value Other Political Science & Government Schools

These schools also delivered strong value for other political science & government this year:

26
27
28
29
30
Ashland University crest
Ashland University
Ashland, OH
31
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL
32
33
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA
34
Muhlenberg College crest
Muhlenberg College
Allentown, PA
35
Pitzer College crest
Pitzer College
Claremont, CA
36
Belmont University crest
Belmont University
Nashville, TN
37
38
Xavier University crest
Xavier University
Cincinnati, OH
39
Lafayette College crest
Lafayette College
Easton, PA
40
41
Whitman College crest
Whitman College
Walla Walla, WA
42
Scripps College crest
Scripps College
Claremont, CA
43
Marist College crest
Marist College
Poughkeepsie, NY
44
American University crest
American University
Washington, DC

Other Other Political Science & Government Degree Levels

Explore the best-value other political science & government schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Other Political Science & Government
Associate's Degrees in Other Political Science & Government
Master's Degrees in Other Political Science & Government
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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 19 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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