2026 Best Value Political Science & Government Bachelor’s Degree Schools

1

Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Cuny Hunter College tops our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools in the United States. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $9,531 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $35,154. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.

2

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

A rank of #2 makes University Of Florida one of the best values for political science & government. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $16,068 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $31,574 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,068 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

3

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College
New York, NY

Students looking for strong value in political science & government will find it at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,464 in tuition and fees, 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. The acceptance rate is 48%.

4

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice
New York, NY

A rank of #4 makes Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice one of the best values for political science & government. 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. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $14,820 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $35,828. That is a strong return on a $14,820 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.

5

Cuny Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, NY

A rank of #5 makes Cuny Brooklyn College one of the best values for political science & government. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $16,274. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $29,577. That is a strong return on a $16,274 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.

6

California State University Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA

California State University Dominguez Hills ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,268 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $25,837. That is a strong return on a $10,268 median debt. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.

7

Cuny Queens College
Queens, NY

Cuny Queens College placed #7 among the best values for political science & government. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $34,863. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.

8

Cuny Lehman College
Bronx, NY

Cuny Lehman College came in at #8 for value in political science & government this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Students borrow a median of $12,334 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $43,059. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.

9

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton came in at #9 for value in political science & government this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $15,000. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $31,711. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

10

Cuny City College
New York, NY

Cuny City College came in at #10 for value in political science & government this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Students borrow a median of $11,500 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $29,823 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

11

Texas A And M University Central Texas
Killeen, TX

Texas A And M University Central Texas came in at #11 for value in political science & government this year. Set in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,363, with out-of-state students paying around $17,155. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $23,160 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Texas A And M University Central Texas generally make around $50,370. The acceptance rate is 100%.

12

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Princeton University placed #12 among the best values for political science & government. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $10,888. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $63,317. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.

13

California State University San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA

California State University San Bernardino placed #13 among the best values for political science & government. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,045 to complete the political science & government program here. 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.

14

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

California State University Los Angeles earned the #14 position for value in political science & government this year. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Students borrow a median of $10,614 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $29,818. Set against $10,614 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.

15

Berea College
Berea, KY

Berea College earned the #15 position for value in political science & government this year. Set in the town of Berea, Berea College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,658. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $5,801 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Berea College generally make around $31,428. That is a strong return on a $5,801 median debt. Roughly 19% of applicants are accepted.

16

Cuny College Of Staten Island
Staten Island, NY

Cuny College Of Staten Island earned the #16 position for value in political science & government this year. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. Students from in state pay about $7,490 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $12,603. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $34,610. Set against $12,603 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.

17

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno earned the #17 position for value in political science & government this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $14,528 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $21,674. That is a strong return on a $14,528 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

18

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University came in at #18 for value in political science & government this year. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $12,000. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $59,297. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.

19

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge came in at #19 for value in political science & government this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $14,202. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $32,014. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.

20

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach placed #20 among the best values for political science & government. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,928 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $32,168. That is a strong return on a $14,928 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.

21

California State University Stanislaus
Turlock, CA

California State University Stanislaus earned the #21 position for value in political science & government this year. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. Students from in state pay about $8,242 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. Students borrow a median of $15,484 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from California State University Stanislaus generally make around $29,533. That is a strong return on a $15,484 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.

22

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento landed the #22 spot for political science & government value this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $16,084. Political Science & Government graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $36,189 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

23

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University earned the #23 position for value in political science & government this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $18,700. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $34,745. Set against $18,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.

24

California State University Channel Islands
Camarillo, CA

California State University Channel Islands earned the #24 position for value in political science & government this year. California State University Channel Islands is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Camarillo. In-state tuition and fees average $7,159, with out-of-state students paying around $19,759. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $34,799. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.

25

Brigham Young University Idaho
Rexburg, ID

Brigham Young University Idaho earned the #25 position for value in political science & government this year. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $16,551. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Brigham Young University Idaho generally make around $32,983. That is a strong return on a $16,551 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.