2026 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
[Political Science & Government](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 50 schools to find the best return on investment for political science & government students.
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 the Rocky Mountains Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in political science & government, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Political Science & Government Schools
Brigham Young University Idaho earned the #1 spot for value among political science & government schools in the Rocky Mountains Region. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $16,551 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Brigham Young University Idaho generally make around $32,983. Set against $16,551 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.
Salt Lake Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,244 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,855 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Salt Lake Community College generally make around $42,031. Set against $10,855 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in political science & government will find it at Utah Valley University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $21,413 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $36,857. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Weber State University one of the best values for political science & government. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,557 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Students borrow a median of $19,176 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $53,920 early in their careers. Set against $19,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in political science & government will find it at University Of Wyoming, which ranked #5. University Of Wyoming is a large public school located in the town of Laramie. In-state tuition and fees average $7,768, with out-of-state students paying around $24,178. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $23,933. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Wyoming generally make around $39,869. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants.
College Of Western Idaho ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the rural area of Nampa, College Of Western Idaho is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,446 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,454. Students borrow a median of $12,497 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of College Of Western Idaho earn a median of $40,963 early in their careers.
Southern Utah University came in at #7 for value in political science & government this year. Southern Utah University is a very large public school located in the town of Cedar City. In-state tuition and fees average $6,962, with out-of-state students paying around $21,192. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $12,886. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Southern Utah University generally make around $44,998. That is a strong return on a $12,886 median debt. Southern Utah University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Utah ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Students borrow a median of $18,370 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $45,112. That is a strong return on a $18,370 median debt. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
Utah State University earned the #9 position for value in political science & government this year. Located in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,560, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $17,581 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of Utah State University earn a median of $38,317 early in their careers. Set against $17,581 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Provo landed the #10 spot for political science & government value this year. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,688. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $11,745 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $47,020. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Idaho placed #11 among the best values for political science & government. University Of Idaho is a large public school located in the town of Moscow. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,084, with out-of-state students paying around $28,320. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $21,643 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Idaho generally make around $27,881. Set against $21,643 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Colorado State University Pueblo earned the #12 position for value in political science & government this year. Colorado State University Pueblo is a large public school located in the city of Pueblo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,720, compared with $17,944 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $25,325. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $49,098. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Colorado State University Pueblo admits about 95% of applicants.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver placed #13 among the best values for political science & government. Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,124, with out-of-state students paying around $30,684. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $39,920. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Mesa State College placed #14 among the best values for political science & government. Mesa State College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Junction. Students from in state pay about $9,927 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,124. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $22,310. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Mesa State College generally make around $43,617. That is a strong return on a $22,310 median debt. Mesa State College admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs landed the #15 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the city of Colorado Springs, University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,906, with out-of-state students paying around $25,039. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $17,625. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $37,295. That is a strong return on a $17,625 median debt. University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs admits about 97% of applicants.
The University Of Montana ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the city of Missoula, The University Of Montana is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,552, with out-of-state students paying around $33,671. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $21,173. Political Science & Government graduates of The University Of Montana earn a median of $38,094 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Idaho State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Idaho State University is a large public school located in the city of Pocatello. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,610, while out-of-state students pay about $27,720. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $40,988. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Northern Colorado landed the #18 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,901, while out-of-state students pay about $26,979. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $37,458. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado Denver placed #19 among the best values for political science & government. University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. Students from in state pay about $10,383 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,391. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $21,066. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Colorado Denver earn a median of $52,262 early in their careers. Set against $21,066 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Colorado State University Fort Collins landed the #20 spot for political science & government value this year. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Collins. Students from in state pay about $13,373 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $19,500. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $36,324. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Boise State University earned the #21 position for value in political science & government this year. Located in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,048 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,788. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $21,500. Political Science & Government graduates of Boise State University earn a median of $32,650 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Colorado Boulder ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public school located in the city of Boulder. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,214, while out-of-state students pay about $42,970. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Colorado Boulder generally make around $39,954. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Montana State University landed the #23 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the city of Bozeman, Montana State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,460 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,287. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $20,540 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of Montana State University earn a median of $35,476 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Colorado College earned the #24 position for value in political science & government this year. Set in the city of Colorado Springs, Colorado College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $70,734. Students borrow a median of $17,921 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Colorado College generally make around $37,342. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 18% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Denver came in at #25 for value in political science & government this year. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,398. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $38,059. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Denver admits about 78% of applicants.
Narrow Political Science & Government Schools by State
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 · 50 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.
