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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 North Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in political science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Political Science Schools
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #1 spot for value among political science schools in North Carolina. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $15,100. 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.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #2 spot 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, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $25,000. Political Science graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $30,925 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina A And T State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Set in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,813, compared with $20,673 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $29,264 in student loans. Political Science graduates of North Carolina A And T State University earn a median of $42,310 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,264 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.
A rank of #4 makes Western Carolina University one of the best values for political science. Western Carolina University is a large public school located in the town of Cullowhee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,630, compared with $8,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Western Carolina University generally make around $44,926. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Students looking for strong value in political science will find it at University Of North Carolina At Pembroke, which ranked #5. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Pembroke. 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. Early-career political science graduates make about $22,223. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke admits about 93% of applicants.
ADBLOCK #101
Fayetteville State University earned the #6 position for value in political science this year. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,353 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,353. Political Science graduates carry a median of $29,390 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Fayetteville State University generally make around $41,449. That is a strong return on a $29,390 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earned the #7 position for value in political science this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,239, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. Political Science graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte generally make around $32,780. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of North Carolina At Asheville came in at #8 for value in political science this year. University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Asheville. In-state tuition and fees average $7,501, while out-of-state students pay about $24,849. Political Science graduates carry a median of $25,821 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Asheville generally make around $23,964. Set against $25,821 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Asheville admits about 92% of applicants.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #9 for value in political science this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Students borrow a median of $23,457 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $38,321. Set against $23,457 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Appalachian State University earned the #10 position for value in political science this year. Appalachian State University is a very large public school located in the town of Boone. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,579, while out-of-state students pay about $25,212. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Appalachian State University generally make around $30,096. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Davidson College earned the #11 position for value in political science this year. Located in the suburb of Davidson, Davidson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $64,430 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Davidson College generally make around $46,232. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 13% of applicants are accepted.
East Carolina University landed the #12 spot for political science value this year. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,361, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $35,627. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Winston Salem State University landed the #13 spot for political science value this year. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Winston Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,126 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,782. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $26,000. Political Science graduates of Winston Salem State University earn a median of $26,725 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Winston Salem State University admits about 78% of applicants.
North Carolina Central University came in at #14 for value in political science this year. Set in the city of Durham, North Carolina Central University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,699, with out-of-state students paying around $19,735. Political Science graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $24,948. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Carolina Central University admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington landed the #15 spot for political science value this year. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public school located in the city of Wilmington. Students from in state pay about $7,277 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,152. Political Science graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Wilmington generally make around $31,124. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
[Political Science](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/political-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
