2026 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in Wisconsin

[Political Science & Government](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 22 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 Wisconsin
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
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earned the #1 spot for value among political science & government schools in Wisconsin. Set in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,228 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,248 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $21,313. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earn a median of $41,455 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh one of the best values for political science & government. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public school located in the city of Oshkosh. In-state tuition and fees average $8,532, with out-of-state students paying around $16,446. Students borrow a median of $25,015 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh generally make around $42,366. That is a strong return on a $25,015 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earned it the #3 place for political science & government. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public school located in the city of La Crosse. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,070, compared with $19,517 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earn a median of $35,281 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Students looking for strong value in political science & government will find it at University Of Wisconsin Madison, which ranked #4. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $22,000. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $42,063. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earned it the #5 place for political science & government. Located in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,616, compared with $18,716 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $25,791 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater generally make around $40,115. Set against $25,791 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee landed the #6 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $24,000. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $40,487. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earned the #7 position for value in political science & government this year. Located in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,642, while out-of-state students pay about $19,228. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $23,968 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn a median of $26,268 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire admits about 82% of applicants.
Ripon College placed #8 among the best values for political science & government. Set in the town of Ripon, Ripon College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,900. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $26,973 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $35,385. That is a strong return on a $26,973 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Carthage College placed #9 among the best values for political science & government. Carthage College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Kenosha. Students from in state pay about $38,750 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,190 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Carthage College earn a median of $24,259 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,190 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Norbert College earned the #10 position for value in political science & government this year. Set in the suburb of De Pere, Saint Norbert College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,580. Students borrow a median of $26,578 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $48,421. That is a strong return on a $26,578 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Marquette University placed #11 among the best values for political science & government. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,170. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of Marquette University earn a median of $38,225 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Marquette University admits about 81% of applicants.
More Political Science & Government Rankings
View All Political Science & Government Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.