2026 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in Minnesota
[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 24 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 Minnesota
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 University Of Minnesota Twin Cities the best value for a degree in political science & government in Minnesota. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $20,465 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $40,208. Set against $20,465 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Minnesota Duluth earned it the #2 place for political science & government. Set in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,608 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,134. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $20,089. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Minnesota Duluth earn a median of $38,942 early in their careers. Set against $20,089 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Minnesota Duluth admits about 89% of applicants.
Winona State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Winona State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Winona. Students from in state pay about $10,576 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,308 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $25,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Winona State University generally make around $35,631. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Students looking for strong value in political science & government will find it at Minnesota State University Mankato, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,572, compared with $18,942 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $25,460. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $53,088. That is a strong return on a $25,460 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Hamline University earned it the #5 place for political science & government. Hamline University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. In-state tuition and fees average $50,004. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $35,354. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
St Olaf College placed #6 among the best values for political science & government. St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Northfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,760. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $24,250. Political Science & Government graduates of St Olaf College earn a median of $30,953 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. St Olaf College admits about 48% of applicants.
Gustavus Adolphus College landed the #7 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the town of Saint Peter, Gustavus Adolphus College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $56,076 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 $38,463. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Johns University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the rural area of Collegeville, Saint Johns University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $55,816. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Saint Johns University earn a median of $20,939 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Macalester College placed #9 among the best values for political science & government. Macalester College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. In-state tuition and fees average $68,104. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $23,250. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $39,439. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 28% of applicants are accepted.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $54,398. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $22,750 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of St Thomas Minnesota earn a median of $34,775 early in their careers. Set against $22,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
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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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 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.
