2026 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southeast Region
[Political Science](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/political-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong political science education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 285 schools to find the best return on investment for political science students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southeast Region
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
Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in political science in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $16,068. Early-career political science graduates make about $31,574. Set against $16,068 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Students looking for strong value in political science will find it at Berea College, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Berea, Berea College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $51,658. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $5,801. Political Science graduates of Berea College earn a median of $31,428 early in their careers. Set against $5,801 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Berea College admits about 19% of applicants.
Florida State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #3 spot this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $18,700. Political Science graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $40,695 early in their careers. Set against $18,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at American Public University System earned it the #4 place for political science. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $18,304 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $63,036. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill one of the best values for political science. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Political Science graduates carry a median of $15,100 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $41,200. Set against $15,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Atlantic University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $18,500. Political Science graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $31,641 early in their careers. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $20,609. Early-career political science graduates make about $34,965. That is a strong return on a $20,609 median debt. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
Florida International University earned the #8 position for value in political science this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $15,250 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $26,983 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Murray State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,900, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Political Science graduates carry a median of $23,420 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $48,423. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.
The University Of West Florida placed #10 among the best values for political science. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,776, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,677 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $34,484. That is a strong return on a $19,677 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
University Of North Florida earned the #11 position for value in political science this year. University Of North Florida is a large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. Students from in state pay about $5,964 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $17,276. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of North Florida generally make around $37,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Florida admits about 53% of applicants.
Florida Gulf Coast University placed #12 among the best values for political science. Set in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,118, compared with $25,162 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $21,478. Early-career political science graduates make about $35,578. Set against $21,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Kentucky University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,088, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $52,565 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida placed #14 among the best values for political science. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $21,344. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $35,937. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
Eastern Kentucky University came in at #15 for value in political science this year. Eastern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the town of Richmond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,320, compared with $21,230 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $21,498. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Eastern Kentucky University generally make around $35,899. That is a strong return on a $21,498 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia placed #16 among the best values for political science. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $22,171. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $39,842. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee Martin placed #17 among the best values for political science. Set in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,560, while out-of-state students pay about $16,600. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $23,770. Political Science graduates of The University Of Tennessee Martin earn a median of $40,400 early in their careers. Set against $23,770 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #18 for value in political science this year. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Political Science graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Political Science graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $30,925 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Alabama came in at #19 for value in political science this year. Located in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,120, while out-of-state students pay about $22,320. Students borrow a median of $21,449 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of University Of North Alabama earn a median of $41,357 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Alabama admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of North Georgia came in at #20 for value in political science this year. Located in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,444, with out-of-state students paying around $16,956. Political Science graduates carry a median of $22,026 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of North Georgia generally make around $37,227. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
North Carolina A And T State University earned the #21 position for value in political science this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,813 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,673. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $29,264. Political Science graduates of North Carolina A And T State University earn a median of $42,310 early in their careers. Set against $29,264 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Carolina A And T State University admits about 50% of applicants.
Georgia Gwinnett College placed #22 among the best values for political science. Georgia Gwinnett College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lawrenceville. In-state tuition and fees average $4,532, compared with $13,844 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $21,280 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Georgia Gwinnett College generally make around $55,992. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga earned the #23 position for value in political science this year. Located in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,448 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,512. Students borrow a median of $22,150 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $39,490. Set against $22,150 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Shepherd University placed #24 among the best values for political science. Located in the rural area of Shepherdstown, Shepherd University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,056 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,082. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $23,326. Political Science graduates of Shepherd University earn a median of $40,748 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Shepherd University admits about 97% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke came in at #25 for value in political science this year. Located in the town of Pembroke, University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,648, while out-of-state students pay about $7,648. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Pembroke generally make around $22,223. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Political Science Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for political science this year:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 285 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 126 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.
