2026 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Political Science](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/political-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong political science education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 215 schools to find the best return on investment for political science students.
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2026 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
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 Princeton University, our #1 best value for political science in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Political Science graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $63,317. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Hunter College earned it the #2 place for political science. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,531 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $35,154 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,464, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. Political Science graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $31,005. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,820 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $35,828. Set against $14,820 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Cuny Brooklyn College one of the best values for political science. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Political Science graduates carry a median of $16,274 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $29,577. Set against $16,274 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Cuny Lehman College came in at #6 for value in political science this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $12,334. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $43,059. That is a strong return on a $12,334 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Cuny Queens College landed the #7 spot for political science value this year. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $11,000. Political Science graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $34,863 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
University Of Maryland College Park placed #8 among the best values for political science. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $18,768. 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.
Cuny City College landed the #9 spot for political science value this year. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Political Science graduates carry a median of $11,500 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $29,823 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Johns Hopkins University came in at #10 for value in political science this year. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $13,426. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $83,555. Set against $13,426 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College came in at #11 for value in political science this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,170, with out-of-state students paying around $8,050. Students borrow a median of $8,794 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earn a median of $30,111 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,794 median debt.
Cuny College Of Staten Island ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. In-state tuition and fees average $7,490, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $12,603. Political Science graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $34,610 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland University College earned the #13 position for value in political science this year. University Of Maryland University College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Adelphi. In-state tuition and fees average $8,136, with out-of-state students paying around $12,336. Political Science graduates carry a median of $17,600 in student loans. Political Science graduates of University Of Maryland University College earn a median of $62,476 early in their careers. Set against $17,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suffolk County Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Political Science graduates carry a median of $11,246 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $35,667 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,246 median debt.
University Of Delaware landed the #15 spot for political science value this year. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,810, while out-of-state students pay about $41,400. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $24,998. Early-career political science graduates make about $31,972. Set against $24,998 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Towson University earned the #16 position for value in political science this year. Set in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,820. Students borrow a median of $20,875 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $42,648. That is a strong return on a $20,875 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Montclair State University earned the #17 position for value in political science this year. Set in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,912, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Montclair State University generally make around $26,704. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Swarthmore College placed #18 among the best values for political science. Located in the suburb of Swarthmore, Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,494. Political Science graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Swarthmore College earn a median of $40,449 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Stony Brook University earned the #19 position for value in political science this year. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,931, while out-of-state students pay about $32,741. Students borrow a median of $19,406 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $36,480. That is a strong return on a $19,406 median debt. The acceptance rate is 49%.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,256 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,225 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Maryland Baltimore County generally make around $33,549. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Salisbury University landed the #21 spot for political science value this year. Salisbury University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salisbury. Students from in state pay about $11,084 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,174. Political Science graduates carry a median of $23,160 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Salisbury University generally make around $33,397. Set against $23,160 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Geneseo landed the #22 spot for political science value this year. Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Geneseo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,999, while out-of-state students pay about $19,569. Political Science graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Suny At Geneseo earn a median of $27,814 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
University Of The District Of Columbia placed #23 among the best values for political science. Set in the city of Washington, University Of The District Of Columbia is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,662, compared with $12,514 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $36,562 in student loans. Political Science graduates of University Of The District Of Columbia earn a median of $49,935 early in their careers. Set against $36,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Morgan State University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Set in the city of Baltimore, Morgan State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,229, while out-of-state students pay about $19,124. Political Science graduates carry a median of $29,750 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $37,900. That is a strong return on a $29,750 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Buffalo earned the #25 position for value in political science this year. Located in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,533 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,653 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $26,875 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Suny College At Buffalo earn a median of $35,158 early in their careers. Set against $26,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Political Science Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in political science:
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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 · 215 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 121 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.
