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2026 Best Value Other Political Science & Government Schools in the Southeast Region

1 Colleges in the United States
$24,291 Avg Student Debt
$57,766 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Other Political Science & Government Badge [Other Political Science & Government](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/political-science-and-government-other/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 19 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for other political science & government students.

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2026 Best Value Other Political Science & Government Schools in the Southeast Region

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
Mississippi State University crest
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS

Leading the list is Mississippi State University, our #1 best value for other political science & government in the Southeast Region. Located in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,202, compared with $27,637 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for other political science & government graduates is $26,547. Early-career other political science & government graduates make about $29,442. Set against $26,547 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mississippi State University admits about 78% of applicants.

2

A rank of #2 makes George Mason University one of the best values for other political science & government. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,220, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for other political science & government graduates is $22,000. 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.

3

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value other political science & government schools. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public school located in the city of Wilmington. 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.

4
Regent University crest
Regent University
Virginia Beach, VA

Regent University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in other political science & government, landing the #4 spot this year. Regent University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,650. Typical student debt for other political science & government graduates is $29,451. Soon after graduation, other political science & government degree recipients from Regent University generally make around $64,493. Set against $29,451 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.

5

University Of Charleston came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value other political science & government schools. Set in the city of Charleston, University Of Charleston is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $22,617 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for other political science & government graduates is $22,646. Soon after graduation, other political science & government degree recipients from University Of Charleston generally make around $64,407. Set against $22,646 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.

6
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Auburn University came in at #6 for value in other political science & government this year. Set in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,890, while out-of-state students pay about $34,922. Other Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $23,700 in student loans. Early-career other political science & government graduates make about $32,228. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Auburn University admits about 46% of applicants.

7
Belmont University crest
Belmont University
Nashville, TN

Belmont University landed the #7 spot for other political science & government value this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $42,540 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for other political science & government graduates is $23,447. Soon after graduation, other political science & government degree recipients from Belmont University generally make around $49,699. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 19 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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