2026 Best Value Political Science Schools in Texas
[Political Science](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/political-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 74 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value political science schools.
What’s on this page:
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 Texas
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in political science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Political Science Schools
Our analysis ranked Texas A And M University Central Texas the best value for a degree in political science in Texas. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. Students from in state pay about $7,363 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,155. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $23,160. Early-career political science graduates make about $50,370. Texas A And M University Central Texas admits about 100% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in political science will find it at Texas A And M International University, which ranked #2. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,606 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $18,475. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
Austin Community College District is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #3 spot this year. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Political Science graduates carry a median of $8,333 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $44,895. Set against $8,333 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Centro College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. 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. Political Science graduates carry a median of $14,557 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $41,295. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas Pan American earned it the #5 place for political science. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Political Science graduates carry a median of $10,250 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $24,804. Set against $10,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas At Dallas landed the #6 spot for political science value this year. Set in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,595, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. University Of North Texas At Dallas admits about 84% of applicants.
Houston Community College placed #7 among the best values for political science. Houston Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $2,040, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. Students borrow a median of $19,223 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $40,365. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Houston Victoria earned the #8 position for value in political science this year. University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Victoria. Students from in state pay about $7,149 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,941 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $24,081 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $47,345. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin came in at #9 for value in political science this year. 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, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,052 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $60,503. Set against $20,052 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin admits about 95% of applicants.
Rice University came in at #10 for value in political science this year. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,247. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $11,904. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $54,728. That is a strong return on a $11,904 median debt. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Texas Womans University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Set in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,640, compared with $18,480 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $30,162 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of $39,272 early in their careers. Set against $30,162 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Womans University admits about 96% of applicants.
Lone Star College System earned the #12 position for value in political science this year. Lone Star College System is a very large public school located in the city of The Woodlands. In-state tuition and fees average $2,664, compared with $7,512 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $10,425. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Lone Star College System generally make around $39,954. That is a strong return on a $10,425 median debt.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #13 for value in political science this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $20,000. Early-career political science graduates make about $30,235. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
The University Of Texas At El Paso landed the #14 spot for political science value this year. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Political Science graduates carry a median of $21,097 in student loans. Political Science graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $26,182 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.
Lamar University landed the #15 spot for political science value this year. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,905, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $26,988 median debt. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Houston placed #16 among the best values for political science. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $36,413. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Midwestern State University came in at #17 for value in political science this year. Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wichita Falls. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,950, while out-of-state students pay about $11,770. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $26,415. Political Science graduates of Midwestern State University earn a median of $49,638 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,415 median debt. Midwestern State University admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of North Texas landed the #18 spot for political science value this year. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. 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. Political Science graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $34,195 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,750 median debt. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
Texas A And M University San Antonio came in at #19 for value in political science this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, Texas A And M University San Antonio is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,654, with out-of-state students paying around $23,255. Political Science graduates carry a median of $22,771 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Texas A And M University San Antonio generally make around $45,681. Set against $22,771 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University San Antonio admits about 93% of applicants.
Prairie View A And M University placed #20 among the best values for political science. Set in the rural area of Prairie View, Prairie View A And M University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,299 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,874. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $23,538. Early-career political science graduates make about $53,784. That is a strong return on a $23,538 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Tyler earned the #21 position for value in political science this year. The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. Students from in state pay about $9,512 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,512 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $20,959. Early-career political science graduates make about $55,134. Set against $20,959 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Arlington came in at #22 for value in political science this year. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,950, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Political Science graduates carry a median of $20,406 in student loans. Political Science graduates of The University Of Texas At Arlington earn a median of $31,550 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,406 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston Downtown landed the #23 spot for political science value this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Downtown is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,582, while out-of-state students pay about $17,434. Political Science graduates carry a median of $21,600 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $38,095. That is a strong return on a $21,600 median debt. University Of Houston Downtown admits about 90% of applicants.
Stephen F Austin State University earned the #24 position for value in political science this year. Located in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,128, with out-of-state students paying around $20,968. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Stephen F Austin State University generally make around $33,386. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Corpus Christi landed the #25 spot for political science value this year. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Texas A And M University Corpus Christi is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,748 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,794 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $24,869 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $33,968. That is a strong return on a $24,869 median debt. Texas A And M University Corpus Christi admits about 89% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 42 Best Value Political Science Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for political science this year:
More Political Science Rankings
View All Political Science Rankings >
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 · 74 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 32 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.
