2026 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in Missouri
[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.
College Factual analyzed 26 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value political science & government schools.
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 Missouri
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 Truman State University the best value for a degree in political science & government in Missouri. Set in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,838, with out-of-state students paying around $18,566. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $26,649 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Truman State University generally make around $39,813. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Missouri St Louis came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,120, while out-of-state students pay about $37,620. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $25,250. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Missouri St Louis generally make around $36,050. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri St Louis admits about 63% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Kansas City came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,371, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $13,102. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $60,324. That is a strong return on a $13,102 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Southeast Missouri State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,903. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Southeast Missouri State University generally make around $43,255. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Southeast Missouri State University admits about 74% of applicants.
University Of Central Missouri came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,050, compared with $18,600 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $23,678. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Central Missouri generally make around $35,556. Set against $23,678 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Missouri admits about 64% of applicants.
Missouri State University Springfield earned the #6 position for value in political science & government this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $37,944. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Missouri Columbia landed the #7 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,837 in tuition and fees, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $22,517 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $37,722. Set against $22,517 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Drury University came in at #8 for value in political science & government this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Drury University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $36,745. Students borrow a median of $26,641 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $37,267. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Washington University In St Louis landed the #9 spot for political science & government value this year. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,790. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $18,500. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Washington University In St Louis generally make around $68,303. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. Washington University In St Louis admits about 12% of applicants.
Saint Louis University Main Campus ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $55,760. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Saint Louis University Main Campus generally make around $30,502. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
More Political Science & Government Rankings
View All Political Science & Government Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
