2026 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in Connecticut

[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 17 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for political science & government students.
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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.
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2026 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in Connecticut
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
Our analysis ranked Capital Community College the best value for a degree in political science & government in Connecticut. Set in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,338, while out-of-state students pay about $15,596. Students borrow a median of $12,059 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Capital Community College generally make around $43,086. Set against $12,059 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Connecticut State University earned it the #2 place for political science & government. Located in the suburb of New Britain, Central Connecticut State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,050, with out-of-state students paying around $16,550. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $18,689 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $25,270. That is a strong return on a $18,689 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.
University Of Connecticut is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science & government, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $21,044 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,712 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,375 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Connecticut earn a median of $37,009 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,375 median debt. University Of Connecticut admits about 52% of applicants.
Yale University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. Students from in state pay about $67,250 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $57,466. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Southern Connecticut State University one of the best values for political science & government. Set in the city of New Haven, Southern Connecticut State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,442, compared with $16,942 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $26,499. Political Science & Government graduates of Southern Connecticut State University earn a median of $41,383 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Wesleyan University placed #6 among the best values for political science & government. Located in the city of Middletown, Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,042. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $16,125 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $39,764. That is a strong return on a $16,125 median debt. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Hartford landed the #7 spot for political science & government value this year. University Of Hartford is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of West Hartford. Students from in state pay about $49,075 in tuition and fees. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $35,492. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Connecticut College earned the #8 position for value in political science & government this year. Located in the city of New London, Connecticut College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,242. Students borrow a median of $24,800 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Connecticut College earn a median of $46,588 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 37% of applicants are accepted.
Trinity College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the city of Hartford, Trinity College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $70,770. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Trinity College earn a median of $42,979 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
Quinnipiac University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Quinnipiac University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hamden. Students from in state pay about $55,480 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $27,000. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $26,440. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Sacred Heart University earned the #11 position for value in political science & government this year. Located in the suburb of Fairfield, Sacred Heart University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $50,404. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $20,750 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of Sacred Heart University earn a median of $17,262 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,750 median debt. Sacred Heart University admits about 65% of applicants.
Fairfield University came in at #12 for value in political science & government this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfield, Fairfield University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,400. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Fairfield University earn a median of $38,426 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 33%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.