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2026 Best Value Political Science Schools in Connecticut

11 Colleges in the United States
$21,858 Avg Student Debt
$73,133 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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 17 schools to find the best return on investment for political science students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Political Science Schools in Connecticut

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

1

Capital Community College earned the #1 spot for value among political science schools in Connecticut. Located in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,338 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,596. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $12,059. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Capital Community College generally make around $43,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Connecticut State University earned it the #2 place for political science. Central Connecticut State University is a large public school located in the suburb of New Britain. Students from in state pay about $13,050 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,550 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,689 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Central Connecticut State University generally make around $25,270. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.

3

University Of Connecticut came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Located in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Early-career political science graduates make about $37,009. That is a strong return on a $22,375 median debt. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.

4
Yale University crest
Yale University
New Haven, CT

Students looking for strong value in political science will find it at Yale University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,250 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $57,466. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

5

Students looking for strong value in political science will find it at Southern Connecticut State University, which ranked #5. Southern Connecticut State University is a large public school located in the city of New Haven. Students from in state pay about $13,442 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,942. Political Science graduates carry a median of $26,499 in student loans. 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%.

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Wesleyan University crest
Wesleyan University
Middletown, CT

Wesleyan University placed #6 among the best values for political science. Set in the city of Middletown, Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,042. Political Science graduates carry a median of $16,125 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $39,764. Set against $16,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%.

7
University Of Hartford crest
University Of Hartford
West Hartford, CT

University Of Hartford ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Located in the city of West Hartford, University Of Hartford is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,075. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $27,000. Political Science graduates of University Of Hartford earn a median of $35,492 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

8
Connecticut College crest
Connecticut College
New London, CT

Connecticut College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Set in the city of New London, Connecticut College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,242. Political Science graduates carry a median of $24,800 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Connecticut College earn a median of $46,588 early in their careers. Set against $24,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 37%.

9
Trinity College crest
Trinity College
Hartford, CT

Trinity College landed the #9 spot for political science value this year. Located in the city of Hartford, Trinity College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $70,770. Political Science graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $42,979. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 29%.

10

Quinnipiac University landed the #10 spot for political science value this year. Located in the suburb of Hamden, Quinnipiac University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $55,480 in tuition and fees. Political Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Quinnipiac University generally make around $26,440. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Quinnipiac University admits about 72% of applicants.

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11

Sacred Heart University landed the #11 spot for political science value this year. Located in the suburb of Fairfield, Sacred Heart University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $50,404. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $20,750. Political Science graduates of Sacred Heart University earn a median of $17,262 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Sacred Heart University admits about 65% of applicants.

12
Fairfield University crest
Fairfield University
Fairfield, CT

Fairfield University came in at #12 for value in political science this year. Located in the suburb of Fairfield, Fairfield University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,400. Political Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $38,426. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fairfield University admits about 33% of applicants.

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 17 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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