2026 Best Value Political Science Schools in Kansas
[Political Science](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/political-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 13 schools to find the best return on investment for political science students.
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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.
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2026 Best Value Political Science Schools in Kansas
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in political science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Political Science Schools
Our analysis ranked Washburn University the best value for a degree in political science in Kansas. Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,945, compared with $20,949 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,175 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $50,955. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fort Hays 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 Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,923, with out-of-state students paying around $17,741. Students borrow a median of $30,468 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of Fort Hays State University earn a median of $30,454 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fort Hays State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in political science will find it at Wichita State University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,684, while out-of-state students pay about $19,869. Political Science graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $30,121. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Kansas is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Students borrow a median of $22,249 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $33,700. Set against $22,249 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kansas State University earned it the #5 place 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, compared with $28,568 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $32,289 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
