2026 Best Value Political Science Schools in Arkansas

[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.
College Factual analyzed 16 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value political science schools.
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Featured Political Science Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
BA in Political Science
Gain a solid understanding of American political history, the current political landscape, and the major political parties with this online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.
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2026 Best Value Political Science Schools in Arkansas
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
For return on investment in political science, no school beat Arkansas Tech University this year. Arkansas Tech University is a large public school located in the town of Russellville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,674, while out-of-state students pay about $14,668. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $23,257. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Arkansas Tech University generally make around $45,115. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Arkansas State University Main Campus came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Jonesboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,090, with out-of-state students paying around $14,522. Political Science graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $48,847. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Students looking for strong value in political science will find it at University Of Arkansas At Little Rock, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Little Rock, University Of Arkansas At Little Rock is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,911, with out-of-state students paying around $22,721. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $27,093. Political Science graduates of University Of Arkansas At Little Rock earn a median of $47,170 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,093 median debt. University Of Arkansas At Little Rock admits about 59% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Central Arkansas earned it the #4 place for political science. Set in the city of Conway, University Of Central Arkansas is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,523, while out-of-state students pay about $18,023. Students borrow a median of $21,150 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of University Of Central Arkansas earn a median of $31,348 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Arkansas earned it the #5 place for political science. Located in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $29,966. Political Science graduates carry a median of $25,370 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Arkansas generally make around $33,745. That is a strong return on a $25,370 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Harding University landed the #6 spot for political science value this year. Located in the town of Searcy, Harding University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $25,962 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $26,715. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Harding University generally make around $53,629. That is a strong return on a $26,715 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Hendrix College landed the #7 spot for political science value this year. Set in the city of Conway, Hendrix College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,200. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $25,072. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Hendrix College generally make around $27,605. That is a strong return on a $25,072 median debt. Hendrix College admits about 56% of applicants.
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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 · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.