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Featured Political Science Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
BA in Political Science
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.
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2026 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Far Western Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the political science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Political Science Schools
San Diego Miramar College earned the #1 spot for value among political science schools in the Far Western Region. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $8,098. Political Science graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.
Cerritos College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Political Science graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Moorpark College one of the best values for political science. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
College Of The Canyons came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $9,776. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at San Diego Mesa College earned it the #5 place for political science. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $6,999 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $29,852. Set against $6,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
ADBLOCK #101
Mt San Antonio College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $9,384. Political Science graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
Irvine Valley College landed the #7 spot for political science value this year. Located in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,860. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $6,672. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,156 ten years after entry. Set against $6,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Valley College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $0, while out-of-state students pay about $9,320. Political Science graduates carry a median of $14,308 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from West Valley College generally make around $25,378. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Sequoias placed #9 among the best values for political science. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. Students from in state pay about $1,394 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $10,288. Early-career political science graduates make about $37,749. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saddleback College came in at #10 for value in political science this year. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. Students from in state pay about $1,432 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Political Science graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $15,890. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Reedley College placed #21 among the best values for political science. Set in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $30,520. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
American River College ranked #22 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Students borrow a median of $14,105 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of American River College earn a median of $76,077 early in their careers. Set against $14,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Orange Coast College placed #23 among the best values for political science. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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.
Sacramento City College landed the #24 spot for political science value this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Students borrow a median of $13,180 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $46,522. That is a strong return on a $13,180 median debt.
California State University Los Angeles placed #25 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $10,614. Political Science graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $29,818 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Political Science Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s political science value ranking:
Narrow Political Science Schools by State
[Political Science](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/political-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong political science education at a price that pays off.
