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2026 Best Value Political Science Schools in Michigan

16 Colleges in the United States
$24,651 Avg Student Debt
$57,823 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Political Science Badge [Political Science](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/political-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

College Factual analyzed 30 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value political science schools.

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2026 Best Value Political Science Schools in Michigan

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

Best Value Political Science Schools

1

University Of Michigan Dearborn earned the #1 spot for value among political science schools in Michigan. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,640, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $23,175. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Michigan Dearborn generally make around $32,266. Set against $23,175 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.

2

A rank of #2 makes University Of Michigan Ann Arbor one of the best values for political science. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Students borrow a median of $18,862 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $39,702 early in their careers. Set against $18,862 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%.

3
Oakland University crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

A rank of #3 makes Oakland University one of the best values for political science. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,167 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $23,054 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $29,080. That is a strong return on a $23,054 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.

4

Students looking for strong value in political science will find it at University Of Michigan Flint, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,236, while out-of-state students pay about $27,790. Students borrow a median of $31,016 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $51,692. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Flint admits about 70% of applicants.

5

Wayne State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $23,812 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $30,345 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,812 median debt. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.

6
Saginaw Valley State University crest
Saginaw Valley State University
University Center, MI

Saginaw Valley State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Located in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,930, while out-of-state students pay about $30,450. Students borrow a median of $30,596 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of Saginaw Valley State University earn a median of $35,059 early in their careers. Set against $30,596 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saginaw Valley State University admits about 72% of applicants.

7
Central Michigan University crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. Students from in state pay about $15,480 in tuition and fees. Political Science graduates carry a median of $27,239 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of $36,006 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.

8
Albion College crest
Albion College
Albion, MI

Albion College landed the #8 spot for political science value this year. Albion College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Albion. In-state tuition and fees average $56,950. Students borrow a median of $26,267 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $39,066. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

9

Grand Valley State University placed #9 among the best values for political science. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. In-state tuition and fees average $15,502, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $35,358. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.

10

Eastern Michigan University placed #10 among the best values for political science. Set in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,990. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $30,137. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

11

Northern Michigan University landed the #11 spot for political science value this year. Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Marquette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,322, compared with $19,944 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $16,199 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Northern Michigan University earn a median of $32,795 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,199 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.

12

Western Michigan University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,987, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. Political Science graduates carry a median of $26,564 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $38,744. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.

13
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University placed #13 among the best values for political science. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $22,576 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $39,514. That is a strong return on a $22,576 median debt. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.

14
Hope College crest
Hope College
Holland, MI

Hope College landed the #14 spot for political science value this year. Hope College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Holland. Students from in state pay about $39,484 in tuition and fees. Political Science graduates carry a median of $24,499 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $32,389. Set against $24,499 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Hope College admits about 79% of applicants.

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 30 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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