College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Political Science Schools in District of Columbia

6 Colleges in the United States
$25,219 Avg Student Debt
$75,382 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. 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 8 schools to find the best return on investment for political science students.

What’s on this page:

2026 Best Value Political Science Schools in District of Columbia

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

Best Value Political Science Schools

1

University Of The District Of Columbia tops our 2026 list of the best value political science schools in District of Columbia. University Of The District Of Columbia is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Washington. In-state tuition and fees average $5,662, while out-of-state students pay about $12,514. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $36,562. Early-career political science graduates make about $49,935. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Students looking for strong value in political science will find it at Catholic University Of America, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Washington, Catholic University Of America is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $58,378 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Catholic University Of America generally make around $44,617. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Catholic University Of America admits about 83% of applicants.

3

George Washington University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #3 spot this year. George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,710. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $23,000. Early-career political science graduates make about $62,004. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Roughly 47% of applicants are accepted.

4
Georgetown University crest
Georgetown University
Washington, DC

A rank of #4 makes Georgetown University one of the best values for political science. Set in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,089. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $64,297. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt. Roughly 13% of applicants are accepted.

5
American University crest
American University
Washington, DC

American University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #5 spot this year. American University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,771. Political Science graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $53,411. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. American University admits about 62% of applicants.

6
Howard University crest
Howard University
Washington, DC

Howard University came in at #6 for value in political science this year. Howard University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. In-state tuition and fees average $35,810. Political Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Howard University generally make around $31,897. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Howard University admits about 41% of applicants.

View All Political Science Rankings >

Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 8 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options