2026 Best Value Political Science Schools in Utah

[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.
College Factual analyzed 9 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value political science schools.
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2026 Best Value Political Science Schools in Utah
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in political science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Political Science Schools
Leading the list is Salt Lake Community College, our #1 best value for political science in Utah. Salt Lake Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,426, compared with $14,244 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,855 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Salt Lake Community College generally make around $42,031. That is a strong return on a $10,855 median debt.
Utah Valley University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $21,413. Early-career political science graduates make about $36,857. That is a strong return on a $21,413 median debt.
Weber State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,557, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Political Science graduates carry a median of $19,176 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $53,920. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in political science will find it at Southern Utah University, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,962, while out-of-state students pay about $21,192. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Utah University admits about 82% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Utah State University one of the best values for political science. Located in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,560, while out-of-state students pay about $24,993. Students borrow a median of $17,581 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $38,317. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Utah ranked #6 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $18,370. Political Science graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $45,112 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Provo placed #7 among the best values for political science. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $11,745 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $47,020. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
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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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.