by our College Data Analytics Team
[Political Science](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/political-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 16 schools to find the best return on investment for political science students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the political science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Mesa Community College, our #1 best value for political science in Arizona. Mesa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Mesa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $13,750. Early-career political science graduates make about $54,730. Set against $13,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Arizona State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $19,257. Early-career political science graduates make about $47,626. Set against $19,257 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Northern Arizona University one of the best values for political science. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,619, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $35,220 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Arizona came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Students borrow a median of $21,630 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $36,193. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
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This ranking is produced 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.
More about our data sources and methodologies.