[Political Science & Government](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 1304 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for political science & government students.
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Finding the Best Value Political Science & Government School for You
The right political science & government school can pay off for years to come. To help, we created our Best Value Political Science & Government Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Political Science & Government Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
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.
Leading the list is Cuny Hunter College, our #1 best value for political science & government in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $9,531 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $35,154. Set against $9,531 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Students looking for strong value in political science & government will find it at El Camino Community College District, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,144, compared with $7,630 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,589 ten years after entry.
University Of Florida came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $16,068 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $31,574. Set against $16,068 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Students looking for strong value in political science & government will find it at College Of The Canyons, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes De Anza College one of the best values for political science & government. De Anza College is a very large public school located in the city of Cupertino. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,571, while out-of-state students pay about $12,596. Students borrow a median of $7,271 to complete the political science & government program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,596 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moorpark College placed #6 among the best values for political science & government. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Orange Coast College earned the #7 position for value in political science & government this year. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,392 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $8,978 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $46,306. Set against $8,978 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cerritos College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $29,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,464, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $31,005 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice landed the #10 spot for political science & government value this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $15,420. Students borrow a median of $14,820 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $35,828. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
San Diego Miramar College came in at #11 for value in political science & government this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $41,038. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Brooklyn College placed #12 among the best values for political science & government. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Students borrow a median of $16,274 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $29,577 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Dominguez Hills earned the #13 position for value in political science & government this year. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $10,268 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $25,837 early in their careers. Set against $10,268 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
Cuny Queens College came in at #14 for value in political science & government this year. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $34,863. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Mt San Antonio College earned the #15 position for value in political science & government this year. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Lehman College placed #16 among the best values for political science & government. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $12,334 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $43,059. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
California State University Fullerton came in at #17 for value in political science & government this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $31,711. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Diablo Valley College earned the #18 position for value in political science & government this year. Diablo Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. Students from in state pay about $1,312 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,320. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $9,205 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of Diablo Valley College earn a median of $27,813 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Rosa Junior College earned the #19 position for value in political science & government this year. Set in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,318, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Students borrow a median of $14,692 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
American River College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $14,105 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of American River College earn a median of $76,077 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,105 median debt.
Cuny City College earned the #21 position for value in political science & government this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $11,500. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $29,823. That is a strong return on a $11,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Texas A And M University Central Texas earned the #22 position for value in political science & government this year. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,363, while out-of-state students pay about $17,155. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $23,160 in student loans. Political Science & Government 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.
Saddleback College came in at #23 for value in political science & government this year. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. Students from in state pay about $1,432 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $5,707. Political Science & Government graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
California State University San Bernardino ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $17,045. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $30,291. That is a strong return on a $17,045 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
San Diego Mesa College landed the #25 spot for political science & government value this year. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,999 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $29,852. That is a strong return on a $6,999 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in political science & government:
This list is compiled 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 · 1304 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 591 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).
[Political Science & Government](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
