2026 Best Value Political Science Schools in Ohio
[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 52 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for political science students.
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2026 Best Value Political Science Schools in Ohio
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in political science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Political Science Schools
Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #1 spot for value among political science schools in Ohio. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $35,977. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Youngstown State University one of the best values for political science. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,926, compared with $10,286 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $28,148. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Youngstown State University admits about 84% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Wright State University Main Campus one of the best values for political science. Wright State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Dayton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,991, while out-of-state students pay about $20,691. Political Science graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $27,477. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wright State University Main Campus admits about 96% of applicants.
Cleveland State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,982, compared with $18,502 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $22,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $26,204. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Akron Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,135, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. Students borrow a median of $25,983 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $26,574 early in their careers. Set against $25,983 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
University Of Toledo came in at #6 for value in political science this year. Located in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,157, compared with $21,517 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Political Science graduates of University Of Toledo earn a median of $32,586 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Kent State University At Kent placed #7 among the best values for political science. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,220, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $31,389 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio University Main Campus landed the #8 spot for political science value this year. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Students borrow a median of $24,625 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $38,753 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus came in at #9 for value in political science this year. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,912 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Political Science graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn a median of $37,329 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Ashland University came in at #10 for value in political science this year. Located in the town of Ashland, Ashland University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,210. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $26,738. Political Science graduates of Ashland University earn a median of $44,455 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,738 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,363 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $24,000. Political Science graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $37,360 early in their careers. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Cedarville University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Located in the rural area of Cedarville, Cedarville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $37,150 in tuition and fees. Political Science graduates carry a median of $22,110 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Cedarville University earn a median of $57,104 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,110 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Franciscan University Of Steubenville earned the #13 position for value in political science this year. Set in the city of Steubenville, Franciscan University Of Steubenville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $34,100 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,029 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $43,020. That is a strong return on a $25,029 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
The College Of Wooster ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. The College Of Wooster is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Wooster. In-state tuition and fees average $61,640. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $27,000. Political Science graduates of The College Of Wooster earn a median of $38,727 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Miami University Oxford earned the #15 position for value in political science this year. Located in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,519, with out-of-state students paying around $38,965. Political Science graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $46,428. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
John Carroll University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Set in the suburb of University Heights, John Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $50,500 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $23,000. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from John Carroll University generally make around $28,507. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. John Carroll University admits about 81% of applicants.
Kenyon College came in at #17 for value in political science this year. Set in the rural area of Gambier, Kenyon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,520. Students borrow a median of $18,354 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Kenyon College generally make around $39,550. That is a strong return on a $18,354 median debt. Kenyon College admits about 31% of applicants.
University Of Dayton landed the #18 spot for political science value this year. Set in the city of Dayton, University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,140. Students borrow a median of $25,747 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $56,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Xavier University landed the #19 spot for political science value this year. Xavier University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cincinnati. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,425. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $41,710. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Denison University earned the #20 position for value in political science this year. Located in the suburb of Granville, Denison University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,000. Political Science graduates carry a median of $24,125 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Denison University earn a median of $31,272 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,125 median debt. Denison University admits about 17% of applicants.
Case Western Reserve University came in at #21 for value in political science this year. Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,608. Students borrow a median of $25,106 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Case Western Reserve University generally make around $74,459. That is a strong return on a $25,106 median debt. Case Western Reserve University admits about 36% of applicants.
Oberlin College placed #22 among the best values for political science. Set in the town of Oberlin, Oberlin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,366. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $24,314. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Oberlin College generally make around $30,187. That is a strong return on a $24,314 median debt. Roughly 34% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 52 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
