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2026 Best Value Political Science Schools in Oregon

8 Colleges in the United States
$22,611 Avg Student Debt
$64,012 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Political Science Badge [Political Science](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/political-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

College Factual analyzed 15 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value political science schools.

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2026 Best Value Political Science Schools in Oregon

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in political science, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Political Science Schools

1

Portland State University tops our 2026 list of the best value political science schools in Oregon. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,118, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $23,818. Political Science graduates of Portland State University earn a median of $35,173 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

2

Oregon State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,400, compared with $38,190 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $24,260. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Oregon State University generally make around $39,157. Set against $24,260 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oregon State University admits about 77% of applicants.

3

University Of Oregon is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,320, while out-of-state students pay about $42,516. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $20,183. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Oregon generally make around $36,022. That is a strong return on a $20,183 median debt. University Of Oregon admits about 88% of applicants.

4

A rank of #4 makes Willamette University one of the best values for political science. Set in the city of Salem, Willamette University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,156. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $21,331. Early-career political science graduates make about $41,892. Set against $21,331 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Willamette University admits about 77% of applicants.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lewis And Clark College earned it the #5 place for political science. Located in the city of Portland, Lewis And Clark College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,828. Students borrow a median of $23,301 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $38,784. Set against $23,301 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lewis And Clark College admits about 78% of applicants.

6

University Of Portland placed #6 among the best values for political science. Set in the city of Portland, University Of Portland is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,100. Political Science graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $23,017. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.

7
Reed College crest
Reed College
Portland, OR

Reed College earned the #7 position for value in political science this year. Located in the city of Portland, Reed College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $69,350. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $21,137. Political Science graduates of Reed College earn a median of $30,588 early in their careers. Set against $21,137 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 25%.

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 15 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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