2026 Best Value Political Science Schools in Alabama
[Political Science](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/political-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. 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 19 schools to find the best return on investment for political science students.
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2026 Best Value Political Science Schools in Alabama
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in political science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Political Science Schools
University Of North Alabama earned the #1 spot for value among political science schools in Alabama. University Of North Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Florence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,120, compared with $22,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $21,449. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of North Alabama generally make around $41,357. Set against $21,449 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
A rank of #2 makes Troy University one of the best values for political science. Troy University is a large public school located in the town of Troy. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,176, while out-of-state students pay about $20,352. Students borrow a median of $27,874 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $46,279. That is a strong return on a $27,874 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Alabama State University earned it the #3 place for political science. Set in the city of Montgomery, Alabama State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,248, while out-of-state students pay about $19,576. Students borrow a median of $33,709 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of Alabama State University earn a median of $37,721 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Alabama A And M University earned it the #4 place for political science. Alabama A And M University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Normal. Students from in state pay about $10,024 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,634 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $31,896. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Alabama A And M University generally make around $45,909. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Jacksonville State University earned it the #5 place for political science. Jacksonville State University is a large public school located in the suburb of Jacksonville. Students from in state pay about $12,894 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $23,334. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $24,751. Early-career political science graduates make about $45,361. Set against $24,751 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of South Alabama placed #6 among the best values for political science. University Of South Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Mobile. In-state tuition and fees average $10,116, with out-of-state students paying around $19,092. Political Science graduates carry a median of $26,513 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of South Alabama generally make around $51,592. Set against $26,513 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
University Of Montevallo came in at #7 for value in political science this year. Located in the town of Montevallo, University Of Montevallo is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,948, compared with $26,968 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $25,096 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $36,673. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Alabama At Birmingham came in at #8 for value in political science this year. Set in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,098, compared with $22,562 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $34,474. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Alabama At Birmingham admits about 88% of applicants.
The University Of Alabama placed #9 among the best values for political science. The University Of Alabama is a very large public school located in the city of Tuscaloosa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,180, while out-of-state students pay about $34,172. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $23,785. Political Science graduates of The University Of Alabama earn a median of $32,699 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,785 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Auburn University landed the #10 spot for political science value this year. Auburn University is a very large public school located in the city of Auburn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,890, while out-of-state students pay about $34,922. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $23,700. Political Science graduates of Auburn University earn a median of $32,228 early in their careers. Set against $23,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 19 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.
