2026 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region
[Political Science](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/political-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 112 schools to find the best return on investment for political science students.
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2026 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region
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 Texas A And M University Central Texas, our #1 best value for political science in the Southwest Region. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,363, while out-of-state students pay about $17,155. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $23,160. Political Science graduates of Texas A And M University Central Texas earn a median of $50,370 early in their careers. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Austin Community College District is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,333 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $44,895. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas A And M International University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $14,606. Early-career political science graduates make about $18,475. Set against $14,606 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes El Centro College one of the best values for political science. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Students borrow a median of $14,557 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $41,295. Set against $14,557 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central New Mexico Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $10,112. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $34,751. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #6 for value in political science this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $10,250 in student loans. Political Science graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $24,804 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of North Texas At Dallas placed #7 among the best values for political science. Set in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,595, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston Victoria ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Located in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,149, with out-of-state students paying around $16,941. Political Science graduates carry a median of $24,081 in student loans. Political Science graduates of University Of Houston Victoria earn a median of $47,345 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,081 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Houston Community College earned the #9 position for value in political science this year. Houston Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,040, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $19,223 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $40,365. Set against $19,223 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New Mexico State University Main Campus earned the #10 position for value in political science this year. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $35,393. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Set in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,607, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Students borrow a median of $20,052 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin generally make around $60,503. That is a strong return on a $20,052 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Lone Star College System placed #12 among the best values for political science. Lone Star College System is a very large public school located in the city of The Woodlands. Students from in state pay about $2,664 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,512. Political Science graduates carry a median of $10,425 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Lone Star College System generally make around $39,954. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas Womans University landed the #13 spot for political science value this year. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. In-state tuition and fees average $8,640, compared with $18,480 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $30,162 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of $39,272 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Rice University landed the #14 spot for political science value this year. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $61,247. Political Science graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $54,728. Set against $11,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio landed the #15 spot for political science value this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $30,235. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
Lamar University landed the #16 spot for political science value this year. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. In-state tuition and fees average $8,905, with out-of-state students paying around $18,745. Political Science graduates carry a median of $26,988 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $52,678 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At El Paso ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Students borrow a median of $21,097 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $26,182. Set against $21,097 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Arizona State University came in at #18 for value in political science this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $19,257. Political Science graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $47,626 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Midwestern State University landed the #19 spot for political science value this year. Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wichita Falls. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,950, with out-of-state students paying around $11,770. Students borrow a median of $26,415 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $49,638. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston earned the #20 position for value in political science this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $36,413 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Mesa Community College landed the #21 spot for political science value this year. Mesa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Mesa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Mesa Community College generally make around $54,730. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt.
Texas A And M University San Antonio came in at #22 for value in political science this year. Texas A And M University San Antonio is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of San Antonio. In-state tuition and fees average $9,654, with out-of-state students paying around $23,255. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $22,771. Political Science graduates of Texas A And M University San Antonio earn a median of $45,681 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,771 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of North Texas placed #23 among the best values for political science. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Students borrow a median of $17,750 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $34,195. Set against $17,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Northern Arizona University placed #24 among the best values for political science. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,619, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $35,220. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Prairie View A And M University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Prairie View A And M University is a large public school located in the rural area of Prairie View. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,299, compared with $26,874 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $23,538 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Prairie View A And M University earn a median of $53,784 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,538 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Political Science Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in political science:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 112 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 42 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.
