[Political Science](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/political-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong political science education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 1264 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value political science schools.
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Our analysis ranked Cuny Hunter College the best value for a degree in political science in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Political Science graduates carry a median of $9,531 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $35,154 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,531 median debt. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Florida earned it the #2 place for political science. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $16,068 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $31,574. Set against $16,068 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Students looking for strong value in political science will find it at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College, which ranked #3. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,464, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $12,000. Early-career political science graduates make about $31,005. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #4 spot this year. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,820 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $35,828. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Brooklyn College earned it the #5 place for political science. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. 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. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $29,577. Set against $16,274 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
California State University Dominguez Hills ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Political Science graduates carry a median of $10,268 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $25,837. Set against $10,268 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Cuny Queens College landed the #7 spot for political science value this year. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. 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. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Cuny Lehman College landed the #8 spot for political science value this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Political Science graduates carry a median of $12,334 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $43,059 early in their careers. Set against $12,334 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
California State University Fullerton ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Political Science graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $31,711. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Cuny City College landed the #10 spot for political science value this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $11,500 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $29,823. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Princeton University came in at #11 for value in political science this year. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $62,688 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $10,888. Early-career political science graduates make about $63,317. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Texas A And M University Central Texas landed the #12 spot for political science value this year. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. In-state tuition and fees average $7,363, while out-of-state students pay about $17,155. Students borrow a median of $23,160 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Texas A And M University Central Texas generally make around $50,370. Texas A And M University Central Texas admits about 100% of applicants.
California State University San Bernardino ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Political Science graduates carry a median of $17,045 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $30,291. Set against $17,045 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Los Angeles placed #14 among the best values for political science. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $10,614. Early-career political science graduates make about $29,818. That is a strong return on a $10,614 median debt. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
Berea College placed #15 among the best values for political science. Set in the town of Berea, Berea College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $51,658. Political Science graduates carry a median of $5,801 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Berea College earn a median of $31,428 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 19%.
Cuny College Of Staten Island came in at #16 for value in political science this year. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,490, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,603 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $34,610. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.
California State University Fresno earned the #17 position for value in political science this year. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $14,528 in student loans. Political Science graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $21,674 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,528 median debt. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
Stanford University landed the #18 spot for political science value this year. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Political Science graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $59,297 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
California State University Northridge landed the #19 spot for political science value this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $14,202. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $32,014. That is a strong return on a $14,202 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Long Beach landed the #20 spot for political science value this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $14,928. Political Science graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $32,168 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,928 median debt. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
California State University Stanislaus placed #21 among the best values for political science. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. In-state tuition and fees average $8,242, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $15,484. Political Science graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $29,533 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Stanislaus admits about 98% of applicants.
California State University Sacramento ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $16,084. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $36,189. Set against $16,084 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Florida State University came in at #23 for value in political science this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $18,700. Political Science graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $34,745 early in their careers. Set against $18,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Channel Islands landed the #24 spot for political science value this year. Located in the rural area of Camarillo, California State University Channel Islands is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,159, with out-of-state students paying around $19,759. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of California State University Channel Islands earn a median of $34,799 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Brigham Young University Idaho came in at #25 for value in political science this year. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,551 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $32,983. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Political Science Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in political science:
This list is compiled 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 · 1264 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 563 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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong political science education at a price that pays off.
