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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in the Far Western Region

84 Colleges in the United States
$15,893 Avg Student Debt
$57,940 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Political Science & Government Badge [Political Science & Government](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

College Factual analyzed 219 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value political science & government schools.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in the Far Western Region

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the political science & government degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Political Science & Government Schools

1

Leading the list is San Diego Miramar College, our #1 best value for political science & government in the Far Western Region. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2
Cerritos College crest
Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA

A rank of #2 makes Cerritos College one of the best values for political science & government. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3
Moorpark College crest
Moorpark College
Moorpark, CA

Students looking for strong value in political science & government will find it at Moorpark College, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $17,075. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4
College Of The Canyons crest
College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA

Students looking for strong value in political science & government will find it at College Of The Canyons, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the political science & government program here. 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.

5

San Diego Mesa College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,999 median debt.

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6

Mt San Antonio College earned the #6 position for value in political science & government this year. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $44,391. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Irvine Valley College placed #7 among the best values for political science & government. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $11,860. Students borrow a median of $6,672 to complete the political science & government program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,156. Set against $6,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8
West Valley College crest
West Valley College
Saratoga, CA

West Valley College earned the #8 position for value in political science & government this year. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. In-state tuition and fees average $0, while out-of-state students pay about $9,320. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $14,308. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from West Valley College generally make around $25,378. Set against $14,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

College Of The Sequoias placed #9 among the best values for political science & government. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. Students from in state pay about $1,394 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Students borrow a median of $10,288 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of College Of The Sequoias earn a median of $37,749 early in their careers. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10
Saddleback College crest
Saddleback College
Mission Viejo, CA

Saddleback College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,432 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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11
Grossmont College crest
Grossmont College
El Cajon, CA

Grossmont College came in at #11 for value in political science & government this year. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $10,628. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,309 ten years after entry.

12

California State University Dominguez Hills landed the #12 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $10,268. Political Science & Government graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $25,837 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.

13
Golden West College crest
Golden West College
Huntington Beach, CA

Golden West College earned the #13 position for value in political science & government this year. Located in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,380, compared with $11,628 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Golden West College generally make around $82,984. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

Imperial Valley College earned the #14 position for value in political science & government this year. Imperial Valley College is a large public school located in the rural area of Imperial. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,126, while out-of-state students pay about $8,830. Students borrow a median of $6,176 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Imperial Valley College generally make around $42,617. That is a strong return on a $6,176 median debt.

15

Fresno City College came in at #15 for value in political science & government this year. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Students borrow a median of $7,234 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $37,470 early in their careers. Set against $7,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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16

Santiago Canyon College earned the #16 position for value in political science & government this year. Set in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,164 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,612 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of Santiago Canyon College earn a median of $34,100 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

Pasadena City College earned the #17 position for value in political science & government this year. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $9,191. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $38,841. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.

18

El Camino Community College District placed #18 among the best values for political science & government. El Camino Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of Torrance. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,144, compared with $7,630 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $41,589 ten years out.

19
Santa Monica College crest
Santa Monica College
Santa Monica, CA

Santa Monica College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.

20
De Anza College crest
De Anza College
Cupertino, CA

De Anza College landed the #20 spot for political science & government value this year. Set in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,571, with out-of-state students paying around $12,596. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $7,271. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $56,596. Set against $7,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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Reedley College crest
Reedley College
Reedley, CA

Reedley College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $6,500. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $30,520. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

22
American River College crest
American River College
Sacramento, CA

American River College came in at #22 for value in political science & government this year. Set in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,105 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $76,077. That is a strong return on a $14,105 median debt.

23
Orange Coast College crest
Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, CA

Orange Coast College landed the #23 spot for political science & government value this year. Set in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,392, while out-of-state students pay about $11,640. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $8,978 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $46,306. That is a strong return on a $8,978 median debt.

24
Sacramento City College crest
Sacramento City College
Sacramento, CA

Sacramento City College landed the #24 spot for political science & government value this year. Sacramento City College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $13,180 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Sacramento City College generally make around $46,522. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

25

California State University Los Angeles landed the #25 spot for political science & government value this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Political Science & Government graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $29,818 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s political science & government value ranking:

26
Ventura College crest
Ventura College
Ventura, CA
27
28
Sierra College crest
Sierra College
Rocklin, CA
29
Santa Ana College crest
Santa Ana College
Santa Ana, CA
30
31
32
33
Las Positas College crest
Las Positas College
Livermore, CA
34
35
36
Diablo Valley College crest
Diablo Valley College
Pleasant Hill, CA
37
Chabot College crest
Chabot College
Hayward, CA
38
39
Citrus College crest
Citrus College
Glendora, CA
40
41
Long Beach City College crest
Long Beach City College
Long Beach, CA
42
Allan Hancock College crest
Allan Hancock College
Santa Maria, CA
43
Cypress College crest
Cypress College
Cypress, CA
44
45
Bakersfield College crest
Bakersfield College
Bakersfield, CA
46
Palomar College crest
Palomar College
San Marcos, CA
47
Los Medanos College crest
Los Medanos College
Pittsburg, CA
48
49
Chaffey College crest
Chaffey College
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
50

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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 · 219 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 84 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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