2026 Best Value Political Science Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Political Science](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/political-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong political science education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 109 schools to find the best return on investment for political science students.
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2026 Best Value Political Science Schools in the The Plains States Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the political science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Political Science Schools
Leading the list is University Of Missouri Kansas City, our #1 best value for political science in the The Plains States Region. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,371 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Political Science graduates carry a median of $13,102 in student loans. Political Science graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $60,324 early in their careers. Set against $13,102 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Truman State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,838, with out-of-state students paying around $18,566. Students borrow a median of $26,649 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $39,813. Set against $26,649 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Truman State University admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Missouri St Louis came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public school located in the suburb of Saint Louis. Students from in state pay about $15,120 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $37,620. Political Science graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $36,050. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Washburn University one of the best values for political science. Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,945, compared with $20,949 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $21,175 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Washburn University earn a median of $50,955 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,175 median debt.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,718, compared with $23,206 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $22,119 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Omaha generally make around $46,884. Set against $22,119 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nebraska At Omaha admits about 87% of applicants.
Southeast Missouri State University landed the #6 spot for political science value this year. Located in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,903. Political Science graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $43,255. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southeast Missouri State University admits about 74% of applicants.
Grinnell College came in at #7 for value in political science this year. Grinnell College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Grinnell. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,196. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $17,500. Early-career political science graduates make about $36,662. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
Wichita State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Wichita State University is a large public school located in the city of Wichita. In-state tuition and fees average $9,684, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $21,000. Political Science graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $30,121 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Northern Iowa ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Located in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,936 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $37,875. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earned the #10 position for value in political science this year. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $20,465 in student loans. Political Science graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $40,208 early in their careers. Set against $20,465 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants.
Fort Hays State University came in at #11 for value in political science this year. Located in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,923, with out-of-state students paying around $17,741. Political Science graduates carry a median of $30,468 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Fort Hays State University generally make around $30,454. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
North Dakota State University Main Campus earned the #12 position for value in political science this year. Set in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,910, with out-of-state students paying around $15,564. Students borrow a median of $24,475 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $26,635. That is a strong return on a $24,475 median debt. North Dakota State University Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of Kansas came in at #13 for value in political science this year. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,249 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $33,700. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln earned the #14 position for value in political science this year. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,434, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $21,500. Political Science graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $36,364 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Central Missouri ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Located in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,050 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,600. Students borrow a median of $23,678 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $35,556. That is a strong return on a $23,678 median debt. University Of Central Missouri admits about 64% of applicants.
Missouri State University Springfield came in at #16 for value in political science this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $37,944. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Kansas State University placed #17 among the best values for political science. Set in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,221, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $32,289. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Iowa State University landed the #18 spot for political science value this year. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $30,715. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Minnesota Duluth landed the #19 spot for political science value this year. Set in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,608, compared with $20,134 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $20,089 in student loans. Political Science graduates of University Of Minnesota Duluth earn a median of $38,942 early in their careers. Set against $20,089 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Winona State University placed #20 among the best values for political science. Located in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,576, with out-of-state students paying around $17,308. Political Science graduates carry a median of $25,875 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Winona State University earn a median of $35,631 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
South Dakota State University landed the #21 spot for political science value this year. Located in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,299, compared with $12,809 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 $34,337. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. South Dakota State University admits about 98% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Columbia earned the #22 position for value in political science this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,837, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $22,517. Political Science graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $37,722 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,517 median debt. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
Minnesota State University Mankato placed #23 among the best values for political science. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,572 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,942 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $25,460. Political Science graduates of Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of $53,088 early in their careers. Set against $25,460 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Minnesota State University Mankato admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of North Dakota earned the #24 position for value in political science this year. Located in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,951, while out-of-state students pay about $15,570. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $25,110. Political Science graduates of University Of North Dakota earn a median of $64,378 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,110 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of South Dakota came in at #25 for value in political science this year. Located in the town of Vermillion, University Of South Dakota is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,432 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,942. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of University Of South Dakota earn a median of $31,973 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Dakota admits about 99% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 38 Best Value Political Science Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s political science value ranking:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 109 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 45 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.
