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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 California
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
Leading the list is San Diego Miramar College, our #1 best value for political science in California. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Students borrow a median of $8,098 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $41,038. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cerritos College earned it the #2 place for political science. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $11,306. Political Science graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in political science will find it at Moorpark College, which ranked #3. 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, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
San Diego Mesa College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Political Science graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $29,852. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in political science will find it at College Of The Canyons, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $51,913. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
ADBLOCK #101
College Of The Sequoias placed #6 among the best values for political science. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. In-state tuition and fees average $1,394, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Students borrow a median of $10,288 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from College Of The Sequoias generally make around $37,749. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Valley College landed the #7 spot for political science value this year. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. In-state tuition and fees average $0, compared with $9,320 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $14,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Irvine Valley College placed #8 among the best values for political science. Irvine Valley College is a large public school located in the city of Irvine. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, compared with $11,860 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $6,672 in student loans. Median earnings reach $49,156 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $6,672 median debt.
Mt San Antonio College placed #9 among the best values for political science. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Political Science graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grossmont College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, compared with $10,628 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,309.
De Anza College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Set in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,571, compared with $12,596 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $7,271 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,596 ten years after entry. Set against $7,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Camino Community College District ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Set in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,144, compared with $7,630 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $41,589 ten years out.
Sacramento City College landed the #23 spot for political science value this year. Sacramento City College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Political Science graduates carry a median of $13,180 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $46,522. Set against $13,180 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Diego City College earned the #24 position for value in political science this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $9,514 in student loans. Political Science graduates of San Diego City College earn a median of $26,218 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,514 median debt.
American River College ranked #25 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. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from American River College generally make around $76,077. Set against $14,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Political Science Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in political science:
[Political Science](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/political-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
