by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 84 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes 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.
For return on investment in political science, no school beat Swarthmore College this year. Set in the suburb of Swarthmore, Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,494. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $40,449. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 8%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania earned it the #2 place for political science. Located in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,046, while out-of-state students pay about $22,870. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $52,416. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pennsylvania Western University earned it the #3 place for political science. Pennsylvania Western University is a large public school located in the town of California. Students from in state pay about $11,436 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,054 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,295 ten years after entry. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus one of the best values for political science. Located in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,380 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,297 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earn a median of $40,730 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania earned it the #5 place for political science. East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of East Stroudsburg. In-state tuition and fees average $11,236, with out-of-state students paying around $19,202. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $25,250. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $26,153. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
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Pennsylvania State University World Campus ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,356. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earned the #7 position for value in political science this year. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Slippery Rock. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,568, while out-of-state students pay about $14,676. Political Science graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $29,186. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania admits about 72% of applicants.
Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania landed the #8 spot for political science value this year. Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania is a small public school located in the suburb of Lincoln University. Students from in state pay about $12,512 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,384 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $28,500. Early-career political science graduates make about $26,037. Set against $28,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown earned the #9 position for value in political science this year. University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Johnstown. In-state tuition and fees average $14,906, with out-of-state students paying around $26,780. Students borrow a median of $25,900 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown earn a median of $35,390 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,900 median debt. University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown admits about 95% of applicants.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania placed #10 among the best values for political science. Set in the suburb of Millersville, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,128, with out-of-state students paying around $22,952. Political Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Millersville University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $33,605 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania landed the #11 spot for political science value this year. Located in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,775, compared with $22,599 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,258. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania earned the #12 position for value in political science this year. Set in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,206, while out-of-state students pay about $16,330. Political Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $38,567 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania admits about 91% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College earned the #13 position for value in political science this year. Set in the suburb of Erie, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,972, compared with $26,958 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Erie Behrend College admits about 97% of applicants.
La Salle University came in at #14 for value in political science this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,800. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $27,000. Early-career political science graduates make about $54,618. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg placed #15 among the best values for political science. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Middletown. In-state tuition and fees average $15,972, compared with $26,958 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg admits about 98% of applicants.
Haverford College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Set in the suburb of Haverford, Haverford College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,398. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $79,966. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania came in at #17 for value in political science this year. Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Shippensburg. In-state tuition and fees average $13,570, while out-of-state students pay about $15,824. Political Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $34,271 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Arcadia University earned the #18 position for value in political science this year. Arcadia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Glenside. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,610. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $26,921. Political Science graduates of Arcadia University earn a median of $46,764 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,921 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Messiah College came in at #19 for value in political science this year. Messiah College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Mechanicsburg. In-state tuition and fees average $42,240. Political Science graduates carry a median of $26,195 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Messiah College earn a median of $48,957 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Susquehanna University landed the #20 spot for political science value this year. Set in the town of Selinsgrove, Susquehanna University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $59,850 in tuition and fees. Political Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Susquehanna University earn a median of $46,266 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Susquehanna University admits about 81% of applicants.
Mercyhurst College landed the #21 spot for political science value this year. Set in the city of Erie, Mercyhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $45,770. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $25,000. Early-career political science graduates make about $34,711. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Temple University came in at #22 for value in political science this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,005, while out-of-state students pay about $38,805. Political Science graduates carry a median of $25,815 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $36,011. Set against $25,815 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus landed the #23 spot for political science value this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $21,926, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $25,900. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $35,390. That is a strong return on a $25,900 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Gettysburg College landed the #24 spot for political science value this year. Gettysburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Gettysburg. Students from in state pay about $66,640 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $43,322. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Gettysburg College admits about 39% of applicants.
Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary came in at #25 for value in political science this year. Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bethlehem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,500. Political Science graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary generally make around $48,472. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s political science value ranking:
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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 · 84 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 32 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
