2026 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

1

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Princeton University tops our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $63,317. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.

2

Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Cuny Hunter College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science & government, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Students borrow a median of $9,531 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $35,154 early in their careers. Set against $9,531 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.

3

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College
New York, NY

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,464, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $12,000. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $31,005. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.

4

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice
New York, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earned it the #4 place for political science & government. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,820 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn a median of $35,828 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,820 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.

5

Cuny Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, NY

A rank of #5 makes Cuny Brooklyn College one of the best values for political science & government. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Students borrow a median of $16,274 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $29,577 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.

6

Cuny Lehman College
Bronx, NY

Cuny Lehman College earned the #6 position for value in political science & government this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. 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. That is a strong return on a $12,334 median debt. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.

7

Cuny Queens College
Queens, NY

Cuny Queens College came in at #7 for value in political science & government this year. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $34,863 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Maryland College Park
College Park, MD

University Of Maryland College Park earned the #8 position for value in political science & government this year. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Students borrow a median of $18,768 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $42,688 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,768 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.

9

Cuny City College
New York, NY

Cuny City College earned the #9 position for value in political science & government this year. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $11,500 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $29,823. That is a strong return on a $11,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.

10

Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College
New York, NY

Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College landed the #10 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,170, compared with $8,050 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,794 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College generally make around $30,111. That is a strong return on a $8,794 median debt.

11

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University placed #11 among the best values for political science & government. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $64,730. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $83,555. Set against $13,426 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 6%.

12

Cuny College Of Staten Island
Staten Island, NY

Cuny College Of Staten Island ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $12,603. Political Science & Government graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $34,610 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

13

Suffolk County Community College
Selden, NY

Suffolk County Community College came in at #13 for value in political science & government this year. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $11,246 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $35,667. That is a strong return on a $11,246 median debt.

14

University Of Maryland University College
Adelphi, MD

University Of Maryland University College came in at #14 for value in political science & government this year. University Of Maryland University College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Adelphi. Students from in state pay about $8,136 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,336. Students borrow a median of $17,600 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $62,476. Set against $17,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

Suny College At Old Westbury
Old Westbury, NY

Suny College At Old Westbury earned the #15 position for value in political science & government this year. Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Old Westbury. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,372, compared with $18,842 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $22,250. Political Science & Government graduates of Suny College At Old Westbury earn a median of $34,666 early in their careers. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

16

University Of Delaware
Newark, DE

University Of Delaware came in at #16 for value in political science & government this year. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,810, while out-of-state students pay about $41,400. Students borrow a median of $24,998 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Delaware generally make around $31,972. That is a strong return on a $24,998 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

17

Towson University
Towson, MD

Towson University earned the #17 position for value in political science & government this year. Located in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,728, with out-of-state students paying around $29,820. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $20,875 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $42,648. Set against $20,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Towson University admits about 82% of applicants.

18

Montclair State University
Montclair, NJ

Montclair State University landed the #18 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,912 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,022 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $26,000. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $26,704. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.

19

Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, PA

Swarthmore College earned the #19 position for value in political science & government this year. Located in the suburb of Swarthmore, Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,494. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $40,449. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Swarthmore College admits about 8% of applicants.

20

Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY

Stony Brook University placed #20 among the best values for political science & government. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,931, while out-of-state students pay about $32,741. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $19,406 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $36,480. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.

21

University Of Maryland Baltimore County
Baltimore, MD

University Of Maryland Baltimore County placed #21 among the best values for political science & government. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,256 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,225 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Maryland Baltimore County generally make around $33,549. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.

22

Salisbury University
Salisbury, MD

Salisbury University placed #22 among the best values for political science & government. Set in the suburb of Salisbury, Salisbury University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,084, while out-of-state students pay about $22,174. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $23,160. Political Science & Government graduates of Salisbury University earn a median of $33,397 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,160 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.

23

Suny At Geneseo
Geneseo, NY

Suny At Geneseo landed the #23 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the town of Geneseo, Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,999 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,569 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Suny At Geneseo earn a median of $27,814 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.

24

University Of The District Of Columbia
Washington, DC

University Of The District Of Columbia placed #24 among the best values for political science & government. Set in the city of Washington, University Of The District Of Columbia is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,662, while out-of-state students pay about $12,514. Students borrow a median of $36,562 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of The District Of Columbia earn a median of $49,935 early in their careers. Set against $36,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

25

Morgan State University
Baltimore, MD

Morgan State University landed the #25 spot for political science & government value this year. Morgan State University is a large public school located in the city of Baltimore. Students from in state pay about $8,229 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,124. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $29,750. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $37,900. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.