by our College Data Analytics Team
[Political Science](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/political-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. 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 24 schools to find the best return on investment for political science students.
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Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Gain a solid understanding of American political history, the current political landscape, and the major political parties with this online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the political science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Princeton University the best value for a degree in political science in New Jersey. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $63,317. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Montclair State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #2 spot this year. Montclair State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Montclair. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,912, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. Political Science graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Montclair State University generally make around $26,704. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kean University earned it the #3 place for political science. Located in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,299, compared with $22,446 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Kean University generally make around $30,436. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes William Paterson University Of New Jersey one of the best values for political science. Located in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,704 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,344 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Political Science graduates of William Paterson University Of New Jersey earn a median of $37,801 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. William Paterson University Of New Jersey admits about 90% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Rutgers University Camden one of the best values for political science. Rutgers University Camden is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Camden. In-state tuition and fees average $17,764, while out-of-state students pay about $37,276. Political Science graduates carry a median of $24,188 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Rutgers University Camden earn a median of $39,723 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,188 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
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Rutgers University Newark landed the #6 spot for political science value this year. Rutgers University Newark is a large public school located in the city of Newark. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,250, with out-of-state students paying around $36,762. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $24,188. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Rutgers University Newark generally make around $44,285. Set against $24,188 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey earned the #7 position for value in political science this year. Set in the rural area of Galloway, The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,266, compared with $24,524 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $21,675 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $30,891. That is a strong return on a $21,675 median debt. The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey admits about 89% of applicants.
Ramapo College Of New Jersey placed #8 among the best values for political science. Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Mahwah. In-state tuition and fees average $16,777, while out-of-state students pay about $27,708. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $20,631. Political Science graduates of Ramapo College Of New Jersey earn a median of $36,050 early in their careers. Set against $20,631 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Rowan University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Rowan University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glassboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,574, while out-of-state students pay about $26,932. Students borrow a median of $24,265 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $26,042. Set against $24,265 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Rutgers University New Brunswick earned the #10 position for value in political science this year. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,929 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $24,188. Political Science graduates of Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of $44,285 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
The College Of New Jersey came in at #11 for value in political science this year. Set in the suburb of Ewing, The College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $19,632 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,752. Political Science graduates carry a median of $25,625 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $40,229. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The College Of New Jersey admits about 62% of applicants.
Drew University landed the #12 spot for political science value this year. Set in the suburb of Madison, Drew University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,100. Political Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $35,171. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Seton Hall University earned the #13 position for value in political science this year. Located in the suburb of South Orange, Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $53,170 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $25,000. Political Science graduates of Seton Hall University earn a median of $28,138 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Monmouth University landed the #14 spot for political science value this year. Set in the suburb of West Long Branch, Monmouth University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,552. Political Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Monmouth University earn a median of $30,366 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
