2026 Best Value Political Science Schools in Tennessee
[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 25 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for political science students.
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2026 Best Value Political Science Schools in Tennessee
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in political science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Political Science Schools
Leading the list is The University Of Tennessee Martin, our #1 best value for political science in Tennessee. The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Martin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,560, compared with $16,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,770 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $40,400. Set against $23,770 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in political science will find it at The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Chattanooga, The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,448, while out-of-state students pay about $18,512. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $22,150. Early-career political science graduates make about $39,490. That is a strong return on a $22,150 median debt. The University Of Tennessee At Chattanooga admits about 81% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Middle Tennessee State University earned it the #3 place for political science. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,266 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $23,250. Political Science graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $31,012 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Tennessee State University earned it the #4 place for political science. Set in the city of Nashville, Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $22,416. Political Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Tennessee State University generally make around $35,206. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Tennessee State University admits about 70% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in political science will find it at Tennessee Technological University, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,376, compared with $15,576 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,580 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $34,105. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of Memphis came in at #6 for value in political science this year. Located in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,728, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $24,450. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Memphis generally make around $27,600. That is a strong return on a $24,450 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Austin Peay State University landed the #7 spot for political science value this year. Located in the city of Clarksville, Austin Peay State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,006 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,766. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Austin Peay State University generally make around $34,635. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
East Tennessee State University earned the #8 position for value in political science this year. East Tennessee State University is a large public school located in the city of Johnson City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,216, with out-of-state students paying around $13,726. Political Science graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $37,594. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. East Tennessee State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Vanderbilt University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $12,000. Political Science graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $46,843 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 6%.
The University Of Tennessee came in at #10 for value in political science this year. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. In-state tuition and fees average $13,812, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. Political Science graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $29,728. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Rhodes College placed #11 among the best values for political science. Located in the city of Memphis, Rhodes College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $57,110. Political Science graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Rhodes College generally make around $35,537. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Sewanee The University Of The South earned the #12 position for value in political science this year. Set in the rural area of Sewanee, Sewanee The University Of The South is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,120. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $24,267. Political Science graduates of Sewanee The University Of The South earn a median of $31,831 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Sewanee The University Of The South admits about 57% of applicants.
Belmont University landed the #13 spot for political science value this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,540. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $23,447. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Belmont University generally make around $49,699. That is a strong return on a $23,447 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
