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2026 Best Value Political Science Schools Schools in the Outlying Areas Region

[Political Science Schools](/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 schools education at a price that pays off.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 3 schools to find the best return on investment for political science schools students.

What’s on this page:

• Best Value Political Science Schools Schools in the Outlying Areas Region

2026 Best Value Political Science Schools Schools in the Outlying Areas Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in political science schools, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Political Science Schools Schools

1

University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras
San Juan, PR

$5,324 In-State Tuition & Fees

$7,500 Avg Student Debt

$35,723 Median Earnings (10yr)

University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras earned the #1 spot for value among political science schools schools in the Outlying Areas Region. University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras is a large public school located in the city of San Juan. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,324. Typical student debt for political science schools graduates is $7,500. Soon after graduation, political science schools degree recipients from University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras generally make around $19,819. Set against $7,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras admits about 55% of applicants.

2

University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez
Mayaguez, PR

$5,274 In-State Tuition & Fees

$8,250 Avg Student Debt

$48,992 Median Earnings (10yr)

University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools schools. Set in the city of Mayaguez, University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,274. Political Science Schools graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science schools degree recipients from University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez generally make around $32,922. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 56%.

View All Political Science Schools Rankings >

Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 3 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.