2026 Best Value Political Science Schools in New York
[Political Science](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/political-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 77 schools to find the best return on investment for political science students.
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2026 Best Value Political Science Schools in New York
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in political science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Political Science Schools
Our analysis ranked Cuny Hunter College the best value for a degree in political science in New York. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. 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. The acceptance rate is 54%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earned it the #2 place for political science. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,464 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $12,000. Political Science graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $31,005 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.
Cuny Brooklyn College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #3 spot this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Students borrow a median of $16,274 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $29,577 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice one of the best values for political science. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $15,420. Students borrow a median of $14,820 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $35,828. Set against $14,820 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.
Cuny Lehman College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Students borrow a median of $12,334 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $43,059. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Cuny Queens College placed #6 among the best values for political science. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $34,863. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny City College came in at #7 for value in political science this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Students borrow a median of $11,500 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $29,823. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earned the #8 position 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. Students from in state pay about $5,170 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,050. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $8,794. Political Science graduates of Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earn a median of $30,111 early in their careers. Set against $8,794 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny College Of Staten Island ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,490, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $12,603 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $34,610. Set against $12,603 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Suffolk County Community College landed the #10 spot for political science value this year. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,630, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $11,246 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Stony Brook University earned the #11 position for value in political science this year. Set in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,931 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,741. Students borrow a median of $19,406 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $36,480. That is a strong return on a $19,406 median debt. Stony Brook University admits about 49% of applicants.
Suny At Geneseo placed #12 among the best values for political science. Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Geneseo. Students from in state pay about $8,999 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,569. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Suny At Geneseo generally make around $27,814. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny At Geneseo admits about 66% of applicants.
Suny College At Buffalo ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Located in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,533, while out-of-state students pay about $19,653. Students borrow a median of $26,875 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $35,158. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College At Buffalo admits about 73% of applicants.
Suny At Albany came in at #14 for value in political science this year. Located in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,601, compared with $30,991 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $22,750. Political Science graduates of Suny At Albany earn a median of $33,251 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #15 position for value in political science this year. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Political Science graduates carry a median of $22,943 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $61,077 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.
Suny College At Brockport came in at #16 for value in political science this year. Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Brockport. Students from in state pay about $8,752 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,822 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $25,370 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Suny College At Brockport generally make around $24,036. That is a strong return on a $25,370 median debt. Suny College At Brockport admits about 71% of applicants.
State University Of New York At New Paltz earned the #17 position for value in political science this year. Set in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,822. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of State University Of New York At New Paltz earn a median of $24,676 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. State University Of New York At New Paltz admits about 62% of applicants.
Suny College At Oswego ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Set in the town of Oswego, Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,825, while out-of-state students pay about $18,735. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $24,376. Political Science graduates of Suny College At Oswego earn a median of $28,678 early in their careers. Set against $24,376 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Oswego admits about 80% of applicants.
Suny College At Oneonta came in at #19 for value in political science this year. Set in the town of Oneonta, Suny College At Oneonta is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,831, with out-of-state students paying around $19,781. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $22,375. Early-career political science graduates make about $32,295. That is a strong return on a $22,375 median debt. Suny College At Oneonta admits about 70% of applicants.
Saint Josephs College New York ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Saint Josephs College New York is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Brooklyn. In-state tuition and fees average $36,550. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $25,485. Early-career political science graduates make about $34,334. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Niagara University earned the #21 position for value in political science this year. Set in the suburb of Niagara University, Niagara University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,345. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $26,208. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Niagara University generally make around $51,918. That is a strong return on a $26,208 median debt. Niagara University admits about 87% of applicants.
Suny At Binghamton came in at #22 for value in political science this year. Suny At Binghamton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Vestal. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,567, compared with $30,447 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $37,194. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Suny College At Cortland placed #23 among the best values for political science. Suny College At Cortland is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Cortland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,874, compared with $18,784 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $24,138 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Suny College At Cortland generally make around $29,143. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
University At Buffalo ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. University At Buffalo is a very large public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,936, compared with $31,536 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $20,750 in student loans. Political Science graduates of University At Buffalo earn a median of $27,495 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Purchase College landed the #25 spot for political science value this year. Located in the suburb of Purchase, Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,016, compared with $19,266 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $23,689 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Suny At Purchase College generally make around $23,182. That is a strong return on a $23,689 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Political Science Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s political science value ranking:
More Political Science Rankings
View All Political Science Rankings >
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 · 77 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 52 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.
