2026 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in the Far Western Region
[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:
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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%.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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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.
- 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.
