DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/political-science/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/political-science/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/political-science/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/political-science/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/political-science/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/political-science/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/political-science/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 1
DEBUG: Specific major detected (cip4 = 45.10), keeping min_relevance at 0.8
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.8, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "BA in Political Science" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "BA in Political Science" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 1
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 0 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.8
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 0
DEBUG: No ESYOH offers, checking direct offers
ADVERTISEMENTS
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.
Learn More
2026 Best Value Political Science Schools in South Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in political science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Political Science Schools
For return on investment in political science, no school beat University Of South Carolina Upstate this year. Located in the suburb of Spartanburg, University Of South Carolina Upstate is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,588, while out-of-state students pay about $23,090. Students borrow a median of $30,000 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of University Of South Carolina Upstate earn a median of $35,798 early in their careers. Set against $30,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Coastal Carolina University earned it the #2 place for political science. Coastal Carolina University is a large public school located in the city of Conway. In-state tuition and fees average $11,640, compared with $29,628 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $26,000. Political Science graduates of Coastal Carolina University earn a median of $29,924 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Lander University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Greenwood, Lander University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,700, while out-of-state students pay about $21,300. Political Science graduates carry a median of $23,718 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Lander University generally make around $37,548. Set against $23,718 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in political science will find it at Francis Marion University, which ranked #4. Located in the rural area of Florence, Francis Marion University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $11,170 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,544 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Francis Marion University generally make around $24,289. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Winthrop University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Rock Hill, Winthrop University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,678, while out-of-state students pay about $28,676. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $27,000. Early-career political science graduates make about $21,165. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
ADBLOCK #101
College Of Charleston landed the #6 spot for political science value this year. Set in the city of Charleston, College Of Charleston is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,978, with out-of-state students paying around $38,296. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from College Of Charleston generally make around $35,398. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. College Of Charleston admits about 60% of applicants.
Presbyterian College earned the #7 position for value in political science this year. Set in the town of Clinton, Presbyterian College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $44,910 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of Presbyterian College earn a median of $34,712 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Presbyterian College admits about 68% of applicants.
Citadel Military College Of South Carolina placed #8 among the best values for political science. Citadel Military College Of South Carolina is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Charleston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,570, with out-of-state students paying around $38,508. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $20,817. Early-career political science graduates make about $44,992. That is a strong return on a $20,817 median debt. Roughly 23% of applicants are accepted.
Clemson University earned the #9 position for value in political science this year. Located in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,554, with out-of-state students paying around $40,866. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $21,000. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Clemson University generally make around $28,041. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Carolina Columbia earned the #10 position for value in political science this year. University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,688, compared with $36,298 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $33,157. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
[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.
