2026 Best Value Political Science Master’s Degree Schools

1

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida tops our 2026 list of the best value political science schools in the United States. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $16,068. Early-career political science graduates make about $31,574. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

2

Cuny Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, NY

A rank of #2 makes Cuny Brooklyn College one of the best values for political science. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $16,274. Political Science graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $29,577 early in their careers. Set against $16,274 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.

3

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,928 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $32,168. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.

4

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Students looking for strong value in political science will find it at Princeton University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $62,688 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $10,888. Early-career political science graduates make about $63,317. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.

5

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

A rank of #5 makes California State University Los Angeles one of 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, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. 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. The acceptance rate is 91%.

6

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento earned the #6 position for value in political science this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $16,084. Political Science graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $36,189 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.

7

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University landed the #7 spot for political science value this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $18,700. Political Science graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $46,645 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.

8

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine landed the #8 spot for political science value this year. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $16,293. Early-career political science graduates make about $31,976. That is a strong return on a $16,293 median debt. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.

9

American Public University System
Charles Town, WV

American Public University System earned the #9 position for value in political science this year. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $18,304. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $69,309. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill placed #10 among the best values for political science. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $15,100 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $41,200. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.

11

Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL

Florida Atlantic University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $31,641. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.

12

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida earned the #12 position for value in political science this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Students borrow a median of $21,344 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $35,937. That is a strong return on a $21,344 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.

13

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

University Of California Santa Barbara landed the #13 spot for political science value this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,444 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,332. Students borrow a median of $16,485 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $39,404. Set against $16,485 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 33% of applicants are accepted.

14

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University came in at #14 for value in political science this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,846 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $17,000. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $36,502. Set against $17,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.

15

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

University Of Georgia came in at #15 for value in political science this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Political Science graduates carry a median of $22,171 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $39,842. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.

16

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley landed the #16 spot for political science value this year. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $13,000. Political Science graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $45,418 early in their careers. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 11%.

17

University Of Illinois At Springfield
Springfield, IL

University Of Illinois At Springfield landed the #17 spot for political science value this year. University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,557, with out-of-state students paying around $20,139. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $25,848. Political Science graduates of University Of Illinois At Springfield earn a median of $52,565 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,848 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

18

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University came in at #18 for value in political science this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Students borrow a median of $19,257 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $47,626. Set against $19,257 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.

19

University Of Maryland College Park
College Park, MD

University Of Maryland College Park landed the #19 spot for political science value this year. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Students borrow a median of $18,768 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $42,688. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.

20

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University came in at #20 for value in political science this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $61,543. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.

21

University Of Nebraska At Omaha
Omaha, NE

University Of Nebraska At Omaha came in at #21 for value in political science this year. Set in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,718, compared with $23,206 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,119 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of $60,055 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.

22

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University placed #22 among the best values for political science. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $64,730 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $96,306. That is a strong return on a $13,426 median debt. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.

23

Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, IL

Eastern Illinois University came in at #23 for value in political science this year. Set in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,377, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $24,739. Political Science graduates of Eastern Illinois University earn a median of $28,721 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,739 median debt. Eastern Illinois University admits about 65% of applicants.

24

Augusta University
Augusta, GA

Augusta University landed the #24 spot for political science value this year. Set in the city of Augusta, Augusta University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,414, with out-of-state students paying around $24,734. Students borrow a median of $17,965 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of Augusta University earn a median of $56,168 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,965 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

25

Texas State University San Marcos
San Marcos, TX

Texas State University San Marcos ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $22,760. Political Science graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $33,783 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas State University San Marcos admits about 89% of applicants.