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Featured Political Science Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
BA in Political Science
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.
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2026 Best Value Political Science Schools in the New England 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
For return on investment in political science, no school beat Williams College this year. Located in the town of Williamstown, Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,560. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $10,750. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Williams College generally make around $56,817. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Williams College admits about 8% of applicants.
Harvard University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $16,616. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $61,543. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in political science will find it at Amherst College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Amherst, Amherst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $70,480. Students borrow a median of $15,398 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $61,125. That is a strong return on a $15,398 median debt. Amherst College admits about 9% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in political science will find it at Capital Community College, which ranked #4. Capital Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New Britain. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,338, while out-of-state students pay about $15,596. Political Science graduates carry a median of $12,059 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Capital Community College earn a median of $43,086 early in their careers. Set against $12,059 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rhode Island College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Rhode Island College is a large public school located in the suburb of Providence. In-state tuition and fees average $11,300, compared with $27,299 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $21,435. Early-career political science graduates make about $29,178. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
ADBLOCK #101
University Of Southern Maine landed the #6 spot for political science value this year. Set in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,090 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,940 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,212 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of University Of Southern Maine earn a median of $28,589 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Central Connecticut State University earned the #7 position for value in political science this year. Central Connecticut State University is a large public school located in the suburb of New Britain. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,050, while out-of-state students pay about $16,550. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $18,689. Political Science graduates of Central Connecticut State University earn a median of $25,270 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology placed #8 among the best values for political science. Set in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $62,396 in tuition and fees. Political Science graduates carry a median of $13,516 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Massachusetts Institute Of Technology generally make around $113,129. Set against $13,516 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Bridgewater State University landed the #9 spot for political science value this year. Set in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,734, while out-of-state students pay about $17,874. Political Science graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $42,476. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Bowdoin College placed #10 among the best values for political science. Bowdoin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Brunswick. Students from in state pay about $67,832 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,634 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Bowdoin College generally make around $60,626. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bowdoin College admits about 7% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Boston earned the #11 position for value in political science this year. Located in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,898, with out-of-state students paying around $38,115. Students borrow a median of $24,824 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $34,499. Set against $24,824 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Framingham State University came in at #12 for value in political science this year. Located in the city of Framingham, Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,920, with out-of-state students paying around $18,000. Political Science graduates carry a median of $25,872 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Framingham State University earn a median of $37,661 early in their careers. Set against $25,872 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maine placed #13 among the best values for political science. Located in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,326, with out-of-state students paying around $36,756. Political Science graduates carry a median of $26,798 in student loans. Political Science graduates of University Of Maine earn a median of $38,235 early in their careers. Set against $26,798 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell landed the #14 spot for political science value this year. Located in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,966 in tuition and fees, compared with $36,264 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,900 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $35,330. Set against $19,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Massachusetts Lowell admits about 83% of applicants.
Salem State University landed the #15 spot for political science value this year. Salem State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salem. Students from in state pay about $12,338 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,531. Political Science graduates carry a median of $27,176 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Salem State University earn a median of $49,656 early in their careers. Set against $27,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Salem State University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Rhode Island landed the #16 spot for political science value this year. Located in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,942 in tuition and fees, compared with $37,146 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $20,500. Political Science graduates of University Of Rhode Island earn a median of $31,649 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Connecticut came in at #17 for value in political science this year. Located in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,044, compared with $43,712 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,375 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Connecticut generally make around $37,009. That is a strong return on a $22,375 median debt. The acceptance rate is 52%.
University Of Vermont ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. University Of Vermont is a large public school located in the city of Burlington. Students from in state pay about $19,058 in tuition and fees, compared with $45,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,127 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of University Of Vermont earn a median of $31,594 early in their careers. Set against $23,127 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Westfield State University placed #19 among the best values for political science. Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Westfield. In-state tuition and fees average $12,179, compared with $18,259 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $24,783. Early-career political science graduates make about $36,577. That is a strong return on a $24,783 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst placed #20 among the best values for political science. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,772, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $24,865 in student loans. Political Science graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $43,545 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earned the #21 position for value in political science this year. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of North Dartmouth. In-state tuition and fees average $15,612, with out-of-state students paying around $32,567. Political Science graduates carry a median of $24,947 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth generally make around $36,718. That is a strong return on a $24,947 median debt. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth admits about 91% of applicants.
Colby College earned the #22 position for value in political science this year. Colby College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Waterville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,600. Political Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Colby College generally make around $54,353. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Colby College admits about 7% of applicants.
Wellesley College earned the #23 position for value in political science this year. Located in the suburb of Wellesley, Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,176 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Wellesley College generally make around $50,214. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus earned the #24 position for value in political science this year. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Durham. Students from in state pay about $19,202 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $39,852. Political Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $38,435. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Connecticut State University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Located in the city of New Haven, Southern Connecticut State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,442, while out-of-state students pay about $16,942. Students borrow a median of $26,499 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of Southern Connecticut State University earn a median of $41,383 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Political Science Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for political science this year:
Narrow Political Science Schools by State
[Political Science](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/political-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
