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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in Texas

32 Colleges in the United States
$21,366 Avg Student Debt
$57,056 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Political Science & Government Badge [Political Science & Government](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong political science & government education at a price that pays off.

College Factual analyzed 79 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value political science & government schools.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in Texas

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in political science & government, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Political Science & Government Schools

1

Texas A And M University Central Texas earned the #1 spot for value among political science & government schools in Texas. Set in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,363, with out-of-state students paying around $17,155. Students borrow a median of $23,160 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Texas A And M University Central Texas generally make around $50,370. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.

2

Texas A And M International University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science & government, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $14,606. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $18,475. That is a strong return on a $14,606 median debt. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Austin Community College District earned it the #3 place for political science & government. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Students borrow a median of $8,333 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $44,895. Set against $8,333 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4
El Centro College crest
El Centro College
Dallas, TX

Students looking for strong value in political science & government will find it at El Centro College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $14,557. Political Science & Government graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $41,295 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Students looking for strong value in political science & government will find it at The University Of Texas Pan American, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $10,250 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $24,804 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,250 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

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6

University Of North Texas At Dallas came in at #6 for value in political science & government this year. University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Dallas. Students from in state pay about $9,595 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Houston Victoria ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,149 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,941. Students borrow a median of $24,081 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Houston Victoria earn a median of $47,345 early in their careers. Set against $24,081 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

8

Houston Community College earned the #8 position for value in political science & government this year. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,040, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $19,223. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $40,365. Set against $19,223 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin landed the #9 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,607, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $20,052 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earn a median of $60,503 early in their careers. Set against $20,052 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

10
Rice University crest
Rice University
Houston, TX

Rice University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $61,247 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $11,904. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $54,728. Set against $11,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 8%.

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11

Texas Womans University came in at #11 for value in political science & government this year. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. Students from in state pay about $8,640 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,480 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $30,162. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $39,272. Set against $30,162 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.

12
Lone Star College System crest
Lone Star College System
The Woodlands, TX

Lone Star College System ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,664, while out-of-state students pay about $7,512. Students borrow a median of $10,425 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Lone Star College System generally make around $39,954. Set against $10,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

The University Of Texas At San Antonio ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $20,000. Political Science & Government graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $30,235 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

14
Lamar University crest
Lamar University
Beaumont, TX

Lamar University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,905, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $26,988 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $52,678. That is a strong return on a $26,988 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

15

The University Of Texas At El Paso ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Students borrow a median of $21,097 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $26,182. Set against $21,097 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.

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16

University Of Houston ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $36,413. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

17
Midwestern State University crest
Midwestern State University
Wichita Falls, TX

Midwestern State University came in at #17 for value in political science & government this year. Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wichita Falls. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,950, compared with $11,770 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $26,415. Political Science & Government graduates of Midwestern State University earn a median of $49,638 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,415 median debt. Midwestern State University admits about 94% of applicants.

18

University Of North Texas ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,309 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $17,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $34,195. Set against $17,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.

19

Texas A And M University San Antonio landed the #19 spot for political science & government value this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, Texas A And M University San Antonio is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,654, compared with $23,255 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $22,771. Political Science & Government graduates of Texas A And M University San Antonio earn a median of $45,681 early in their careers. Set against $22,771 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.

20

Prairie View A And M University landed the #20 spot for political science & government value this year. Set in the rural area of Prairie View, Prairie View A And M University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,299, with out-of-state students paying around $26,874. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $23,538 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Prairie View A And M University generally make around $53,784. That is a strong return on a $23,538 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.

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21

The University Of Texas At Arlington ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,950 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. Students borrow a median of $20,406 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington generally make around $31,550. That is a strong return on a $20,406 median debt. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.

22

The University Of Texas At Tyler landed the #22 spot for political science & government value this year. The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,512, with out-of-state students paying around $24,512. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $20,959. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $55,134. That is a strong return on a $20,959 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.

23

University Of Houston Downtown came in at #23 for value in political science & government this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Downtown is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,582, with out-of-state students paying around $17,434. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $21,600. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $38,095. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

24

Stephen F Austin State University placed #24 among the best values for political science & government. Located in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,128, compared with $20,968 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Stephen F Austin State University generally make around $33,386. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt. Stephen F Austin State University admits about 94% of applicants.

25

Texas A And M University Corpus Christi came in at #25 for value in political science & government this year. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Texas A And M University Corpus Christi is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $20,794. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $24,869. Political Science & Government graduates of Texas A And M University Corpus Christi earn a median of $33,968 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,869 median debt. Texas A And M University Corpus Christi admits about 89% of applicants.

Rest of the Top 42 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools

These schools also delivered strong value for political science & government this year:

26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
St Marys University crest
St Marys University
San Antonio, TX
35
36
Trinity University crest
Trinity University
San Antonio, TX
37
38
39
Southwestern University crest
Southwestern University
Georgetown, TX
40
41
42

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 79 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 32 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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