2026 Best Value Political Science Schools in Colorado

[Political Science](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/political-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 20 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for political science students.
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Featured Political Science Programs
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2026 Best Value Political Science Schools in Colorado
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
Leading the list is Colorado State University Pueblo, our #1 best value for political science in Colorado. Colorado State University Pueblo is a large public school located in the city of Pueblo. Students from in state pay about $9,720 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,944. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $25,325. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Colorado State University Pueblo generally make around $49,098. Set against $25,325 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Students looking for strong value in political science will find it at Metropolitan State College Of Denver, which ranked #2. Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Metropolitan State College Of Denver admits about 99% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in political science will find it at Mesa State College, which ranked #3. Mesa State College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Junction. In-state tuition and fees average $9,927, with out-of-state students paying around $25,124. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $22,310. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Mesa State College generally make around $43,617. Set against $22,310 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs one of the best values for political science. Set in the city of Colorado Springs, University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,906, while out-of-state students pay about $25,039. Political Science graduates carry a median of $17,625 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $37,295. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Northern Colorado one of the best values for political science. Set in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,901 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,979 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Northern Colorado generally make around $37,458. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt. University Of Northern Colorado admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Colorado Denver landed the #6 spot for political science value this year. University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. Students from in state pay about $10,383 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,391. Students borrow a median of $21,066 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Colorado Denver generally make around $52,262. That is a strong return on a $21,066 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Colorado State University Fort Collins ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Set in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,373, while out-of-state students pay about $35,061. 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.
University Of Colorado Boulder placed #8 among the best values for political science. Set in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,214 in tuition and fees, compared with $42,970 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 $39,954. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Colorado College landed the #9 spot for political science value this year. Colorado College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Colorado Springs. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,734. Political Science graduates carry a median of $17,921 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Colorado College earn a median of $37,342 early in their careers. Set against $17,921 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 18% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Denver came in at #10 for value in political science this year. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,398. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Denver generally make around $38,059. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. University Of Denver admits about 78% of applicants.
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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 · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.