[Political Science](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/political-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 1264 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value political science schools.
Gain a solid understanding of American political history, the current political landscape, and the major political parties with this online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.
Finding the Best Value Political Science School for You
The right political science school can pay off for years to come. That is why we built our Best Value Political Science Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Political Science Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the 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.
Gain a solid understanding of American political history, the current political landscape, and the major political parties with this online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.
Cuny Hunter College tops our 2026 list of the best value political science schools in the United States. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,531 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $35,154. Set against $9,531 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at El Camino Community College District earned it the #2 place for political science. Set in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,144, with out-of-state students paying around $7,630. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,589 ten years after entry.
University Of Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $16,068 in student loans. Political Science graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $31,574 early in their careers. Set against $16,068 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in political science will find it at College Of The Canyons, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes De Anza College one of the best values for political science. Located in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,571, with out-of-state students paying around $12,596. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $7,271. Median earnings reach $56,596 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moorpark College placed #6 among the best values for political science. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $17,075. Early-career political science graduates make about $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
Cerritos College landed the #7 spot for political science value this year. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College came in at #8 for value in political science this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,464, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $31,005. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Orange Coast College landed the #9 spot for political science value this year. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,392, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Political Science graduates carry a median of $8,978 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $46,306. Set against $8,978 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice came in at #10 for value in political science this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,420. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $14,820. Political Science graduates of Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn a median of $35,828 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
San Diego Miramar College placed #11 among the best values for political science. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $8,098 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. Set against $8,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Brooklyn College earned the #12 position for value in political science this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $16,274 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $29,577. That is a strong return on a $16,274 median debt. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
California State University Dominguez Hills earned the #13 position for value in political science this year. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $10,268. Early-career political science graduates make about $25,837. That is a strong return on a $10,268 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Cuny Queens College came in at #14 for value in political science this year. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $34,863. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
Mt San Antonio College landed the #15 spot for political science value this year. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $9,384. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Lehman College placed #16 among the best values for political science. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Political Science graduates carry a median of $12,334 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $43,059. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
California State University Fullerton ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $31,711 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
Diablo Valley College earned the #18 position for value in political science this year. Set in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,312, while out-of-state students pay about $10,320. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $9,205. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Diablo Valley College generally make around $27,813. That is a strong return on a $9,205 median debt.
Santa Rosa Junior College came in at #19 for value in political science this year. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,318 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,308 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
American River College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $14,105. Early-career political science graduates make about $76,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny City College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,500 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $29,823. Set against $11,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Central Texas came in at #22 for value in political science this year. Set in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,363, while out-of-state students pay about $17,155. Political Science graduates carry a median of $23,160 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Texas A And M University Central Texas earn a median of $50,370 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 100%.
California State University San Bernardino placed #23 among the best values for political science. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $17,045. Political Science graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $30,291 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Saddleback College earned the #24 position for value in political science this year. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,432 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $5,707. Political Science graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego Mesa College landed the #25 spot for political science value this year. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $6,999. Early-career political science graduates make about $29,852. Set against $6,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Political Science Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for political science this year:
Political Science is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 1264 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 581 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).
[Political Science](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/political-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
