2027 Best Value American Government & Politics (United States) Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[American Government & Politics (United States)](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/american-government-and-politics-united-states/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 24 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value american government & politics (united states) schools.
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2027 Best Value American Government & Politics (United States) Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the american government & politics (united states) degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value American Government & Politics (United States) Schools
University Of California San Diego tops our 2027 list of the best value american government & politics (united states) schools in the United States. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for american government & politics (united states) graduates is $16,030. Soon after graduation, american government & politics (united states) degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $60,797. That is a strong return on a $16,030 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Utah Valley University earned it the #2 place for american government & politics (united states). Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Students borrow a median of $21,413 to complete the american government & politics (united states) program here. American Government & Politics (United States) graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $51,242 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,413 median debt.
Indiana State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value american government & politics (united states) schools. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,258, with out-of-state students paying around $22,322. Students borrow a median of $25,987 to complete the american government & politics (united states) program here. American Government & Politics (United States) graduates of Indiana State University earn a median of $53,952 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,987 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Baltimore one of the best values for american government & politics (united states). University Of Baltimore is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Baltimore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $23,984. Students borrow a median of $29,681 to complete the american government & politics (united states) program here. American Government & Politics (United States) graduates of University Of Baltimore earn a median of $56,837 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Nebraska At Omaha earned it the #5 place for american government & politics (united states). Set in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,718, while out-of-state students pay about $23,206. Typical student debt for american government & politics (united states) graduates is $22,119. Early-career american government & politics (united states) graduates make about $33,712. That is a strong return on a $22,119 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Memphis placed #6 among the best values for american government & politics (united states). Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,728, compared with $15,384 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for american government & politics (united states) graduates is $24,450. Soon after graduation, american government & politics (united states) degree recipients from University Of Memphis generally make around $27,600. Set against $24,450 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.
Western Michigan University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value american government & politics (united states) schools. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,987, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Typical student debt for american government & politics (united states) graduates is $26,564. Soon after graduation, american government & politics (united states) degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $38,744. Set against $26,564 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Boston ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value american government & politics (united states) schools. University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public school located in the city of Boston. In-state tuition and fees average $15,898, compared with $38,115 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,824 to complete the american government & politics (united states) program here. Soon after graduation, american government & politics (united states) degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Boston generally make around $34,499. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee landed the #9 spot for american government & politics (united states) value this year. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,812, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the american government & politics (united states) program here. Early-career american government & politics (united states) graduates make about $49,826. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value american government & politics (united states) schools. Located in the suburb of Johnstown, University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $14,906 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,780. Typical student debt for american government & politics (united states) graduates is $25,900. Early-career american government & politics (united states) graduates make about $35,390. That is a strong return on a $25,900 median debt. University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Columbia earned the #11 position for value in american government & politics (united states) this year. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,837, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. Students borrow a median of $22,517 to complete the american government & politics (united states) program here. Soon after graduation, american government & politics (united states) degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $37,722. Set against $22,517 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
South Dakota State University earned the #12 position for value in american government & politics (united states) this year. Set in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,299 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,809. Typical student debt for american government & politics (united states) graduates is $25,000. Early-career american government & politics (united states) graduates make about $34,337. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. South Dakota State University admits about 98% of applicants.
Saint Louis University Main Campus earned the #13 position for value in american government & politics (united states) this year. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $55,760. Typical student debt for american government & politics (united states) graduates is $25,000. Early-career american government & politics (united states) graduates make about $30,502. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Louis University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.
Taylor University placed #14 among the best values for american government & politics (united states). Located in the rural area of Upland, Taylor University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $40,490. Typical student debt for american government & politics (united states) graduates is $21,832. Early-career american government & politics (united states) graduates make about $45,090. Set against $21,832 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Willamette University earned the #15 position for value in american government & politics (united states) this year. Set in the city of Salem, Willamette University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,156. Typical student debt for american government & politics (united states) graduates is $21,331. American Government & Politics (United States) graduates of Willamette University earn a median of $35,162 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Emmanuel College Massachusetts landed the #16 spot for american government & politics (united states) value this year. Set in the city of Boston, Emmanuel College Massachusetts is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,550. Typical student debt for american government & politics (united states) graduates is $26,500. Soon after graduation, american government & politics (united states) degree recipients from Emmanuel College Massachusetts generally make around $44,194. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Drake University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value american government & politics (united states) schools. Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Des Moines. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,960. American Government & Politics (United States) graduates carry a median of $21,138 in student loans. Soon after graduation, american government & politics (united states) degree recipients from Drake University generally make around $56,228. Set against $21,138 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Catholic University Of America ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value american government & politics (united states) schools. Catholic University Of America is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,378. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the american government & politics (united states) program here. American Government & Politics (United States) graduates of Catholic University Of America earn a median of $44,617 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Catholic University Of America admits about 83% of applicants.
George Washington University came in at #19 for value in american government & politics (united states) this year. George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Students from in state pay about $67,710 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for american government & politics (united states) graduates is $23,000. Early-career american government & politics (united states) graduates make about $51,537. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. George Washington University admits about 47% of applicants.
Arizona Christian University came in at #20 for value in american government & politics (united states) this year. Arizona Christian University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Glendale. Students from in state pay about $35,098 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,625 to complete the american government & politics (united states) program here. Early-career american government & politics (united states) graduates make about $40,702. Set against $22,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Misericordia University earned the #21 position for value in american government & politics (united states) this year. Misericordia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dallas. In-state tuition and fees average $40,370. Typical student debt for american government & politics (united states) graduates is $27,000. Early-career american government & politics (united states) graduates make about $37,560. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Puget Sound landed the #22 spot for american government & politics (united states) value this year. University Of Puget Sound is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Tacoma. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,898. Students borrow a median of $22,801 to complete the american government & politics (united states) program here. Soon after graduation, american government & politics (united states) degree recipients from University Of Puget Sound generally make around $34,408. Set against $22,801 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Georgetown University came in at #23 for value in american government & politics (united states) this year. Set in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,089. Typical student debt for american government & politics (united states) graduates is $16,500. Early-career american government & politics (united states) graduates make about $79,632. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt. Georgetown University admits about 13% of applicants.
Villanova University placed #24 among the best values for american government & politics (united states). Set in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,776. Students borrow a median of $25,620 to complete the american government & politics (united states) program here. Early-career american government & politics (united states) graduates make about $72,601. Set against $25,620 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Other American Government & Politics (United States) Degree Levels
Explore the best-value american government & politics (united states) schools at other degree levels:
View All American Government & Politics (United States) Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 24 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.
