2026 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in Ohio
[Political Science & Government](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong political science & government education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 54 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value political science & government schools.
What’s on this page:
ADVERTISEMENTS
Featured Political Science & Government 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.
Learn More
2026 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in Ohio
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in political science & government, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Political Science & Government Schools
Ohio State University Main Campus tops our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools in Ohio. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $21,500. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $35,977. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Youngstown State University one of the best values for political science & government. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,926, with out-of-state students paying around $10,286. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $25,000. Political Science & Government graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $28,148 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Youngstown State University admits about 84% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in political science & government will find it at Wright State University Main Campus, which ranked #3. Wright State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Dayton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,991, with out-of-state students paying around $20,691. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of Wright State University Main Campus earn a median of $27,477 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in political science & government will find it at Cleveland State University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,982, while out-of-state students pay about $18,502. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $22,375. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $26,204. Set against $22,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Students looking for strong value in political science & government will find it at University Of Akron Main Campus, which ranked #5. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,135, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $25,983 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $26,574 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
University Of Toledo landed the #6 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,157 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,517 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Toledo generally make around $32,586. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. University Of Toledo admits about 92% of applicants.
Kent State University At Kent landed the #7 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,220, while out-of-state students pay about $21,575. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $31,389. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.
Ohio University Main Campus placed #8 among the best values for political science & government. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,158, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $24,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $38,753. Set against $24,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus earned the #9 position for value in political science & government this year. Located in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,912, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn a median of $37,329 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bowling Green State University Main Campus admits about 81% of applicants.
Ashland University placed #10 among the best values for political science & government. Ashland University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Ashland. Students from in state pay about $31,210 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,738 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Ashland University generally make around $44,455. Set against $26,738 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #11 for value in political science & government this year. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. Students from in state pay about $13,363 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $24,000. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $37,360. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Cedarville University earned the #12 position for value in political science & government this year. Located in the rural area of Cedarville, Cedarville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $37,150. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $22,110. Political Science & Government graduates of Cedarville University earn a median of $57,104 early in their careers. Set against $22,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Franciscan University Of Steubenville earned the #13 position for value in political science & government this year. Franciscan University Of Steubenville is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Steubenville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,100. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $25,029 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Franciscan University Of Steubenville generally make around $43,020. That is a strong return on a $25,029 median debt. Franciscan University Of Steubenville admits about 58% of applicants.
The College Of Wooster landed the #14 spot for political science & government value this year. The College Of Wooster is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Wooster. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,640. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $27,000. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $38,727. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Miami University Oxford landed the #15 spot for political science & government value this year. Set in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,519, with out-of-state students paying around $38,965. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Miami University Oxford generally make around $46,428. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Miami University Oxford admits about 75% of applicants.
John Carroll University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the suburb of University Heights, John Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $50,500. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from John Carroll University generally make around $28,507. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Kenyon College earned the #17 position for value in political science & government this year. Kenyon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Gambier. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,520. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $18,354. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Kenyon College generally make around $39,550. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kenyon College admits about 31% of applicants.
University Of Dayton placed #18 among the best values for political science & government. Located in the city of Dayton, University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,140. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $25,747 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $56,077. Set against $25,747 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Xavier University earned the #19 position for value in political science & government this year. Xavier University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cincinnati. Students from in state pay about $49,425 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Xavier University earn a median of $41,710 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Denison University came in at #20 for value in political science & government this year. Set in the suburb of Granville, Denison University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,000. Students borrow a median of $24,125 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Denison University earn a median of $31,272 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 17%.
Case Western Reserve University came in at #21 for value in political science & government this year. Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cleveland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $66,608. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $25,106 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Case Western Reserve University generally make around $74,459. That is a strong return on a $25,106 median debt. The acceptance rate is 36%.
Oberlin College came in at #22 for value in political science & government this year. Set in the town of Oberlin, Oberlin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,366. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $24,314 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of Oberlin College earn a median of $30,187 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oberlin College admits about 34% of applicants.
More Political Science & Government Rankings
View All Political Science & Government Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 54 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 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.
