2026 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
[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.
College Factual analyzed 49 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value political science schools.
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2026 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in political science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Political Science Schools
Our analysis ranked Brigham Young University Idaho the best value for a degree in political science in the Rocky Mountains Region. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,551 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Brigham Young University Idaho generally make around $32,983. Set against $16,551 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in political science will find it at Salt Lake Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,244 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $10,855 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Salt Lake Community College earn a median of $42,031 early in their careers. Set against $10,855 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Utah Valley University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,413 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $36,857 early in their careers. Set against $21,413 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Weber State University earned it the #4 place for political science. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $19,176 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $53,920 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Wyoming is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,768, with out-of-state students paying around $24,178. Students borrow a median of $23,933 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of University Of Wyoming earn a median of $39,869 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
College Of Western Idaho landed the #6 spot for political science value this year. Set in the rural area of Nampa, College Of Western Idaho is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,446, while out-of-state students pay about $7,454. Political Science graduates carry a median of $12,497 in student loans. Political Science graduates of College Of Western Idaho earn a median of $40,963 early in their careers.
Southern Utah University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Set in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,962, compared with $21,192 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,886 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Southern Utah University generally make around $44,998. Set against $12,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Utah University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Utah ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Political Science graduates carry a median of $18,370 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $45,112. That is a strong return on a $18,370 median debt. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
Utah State University placed #9 among the best values for political science. Located in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,560 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,993. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $17,581. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $38,317. That is a strong return on a $17,581 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Brigham Young University Provo earned the #10 position for value in political science this year. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,688. Political Science graduates carry a median of $11,745 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $47,020 early in their careers. Set against $11,745 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.
University Of Idaho ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Set in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,084, while out-of-state students pay about $28,320. Political Science graduates carry a median of $21,643 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $27,881. That is a strong return on a $21,643 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Colorado State University Pueblo earned the #12 position for value in political science this year. Set in the city of Pueblo, Colorado State University Pueblo is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,720, with out-of-state students paying around $17,944. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $25,325. Political Science graduates of Colorado State University Pueblo earn a median of $49,098 early in their careers. Set against $25,325 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Located in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,124, while out-of-state students pay about $30,684. Political Science graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Metropolitan State College Of Denver generally make around $39,920. Set against $23,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Mesa State College landed the #14 spot for political science value this year. Mesa State College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Junction. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,927, with out-of-state students paying around $25,124. Political Science graduates carry a median of $22,310 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $43,617. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs landed the #15 spot for political science value this year. Located in the city of Colorado Springs, University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,906 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,039 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $17,625 in student loans. Political Science graduates of University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs earn a median of $37,295 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Montana earned the #16 position for value in political science this year. The University Of Montana is a large public school located in the city of Missoula. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,552, with out-of-state students paying around $33,671. Political Science graduates carry a median of $21,173 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $38,094. Set against $21,173 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Idaho State University earned the #17 position for value in political science this year. Located in the city of Pocatello, Idaho State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,610 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,720. Political Science graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $40,988. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt.
University Of Northern Colorado ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. University Of Northern Colorado is a large public school located in the city of Greeley. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,901, compared with $26,979 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $37,458. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Northern Colorado admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Colorado Denver earned the #19 position for value in political science this year. University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,383, while out-of-state students pay about $29,391. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $21,066. Political Science graduates of University Of Colorado Denver earn a median of $52,262 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,066 median debt. University Of Colorado Denver admits about 75% of applicants.
Colorado State University Fort Collins placed #20 among the best values for political science. Located in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,373, compared with $35,061 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $36,324. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Boise State University earned the #21 position for value in political science this year. Set in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,048, compared with $27,788 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Boise State University generally make around $32,650. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado Boulder ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Set in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,214, while out-of-state students pay about $42,970. Political Science graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Political Science graduates of University Of Colorado Boulder earn a median of $39,954 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. University Of Colorado Boulder admits about 78% of applicants.
Montana State University placed #23 among the best values for political science. Located in the city of Bozeman, Montana State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,460 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,287 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $20,540 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Montana State University earn a median of $35,476 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,540 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Colorado College came in at #24 for value in political science this year. Colorado College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Colorado Springs. Students from in state pay about $70,734 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $17,921 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Colorado College generally make around $37,342. That is a strong return on a $17,921 median debt. Roughly 18% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Denver earned the #25 position for value in political science this year. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $61,398. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of University Of Denver earn a median of $38,059 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
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Notes and References
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 · 49 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.
