2026 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/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong american government & politics (united states) education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 43 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for american government & politics (united states) students.
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2026 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
Our analysis ranked University Of California San Diego the best value for a degree in american government & politics (united states) in the United States. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. American Government & Politics (United States) graduates carry a median of $16,030 in student loans. Soon after graduation, american government & politics (united states) degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $60,797. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Nebraska At Omaha one of the best values for american government & politics (united states). Set in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,718 in tuition and fees, compared with $23,206 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,119 to complete the american government & politics (united states) program here. Soon after graduation, american government & politics (united states) degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Omaha generally make around $33,712. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nebraska At Omaha admits about 87% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in american government & politics (united states) will find it at Indiana State University, which ranked #3. 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, compared with $22,322 for out-of-state students. American Government & Politics (United States) graduates carry a median of $25,987 in student loans. Soon after graduation, american government & politics (united states) degree recipients from Indiana State University generally make around $53,952. That is a strong return on a $25,987 median debt. Indiana State University admits about 81% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Memphis earned it the #4 place for american government & politics (united states). Located in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,384. Students borrow a median of $24,450 to complete the american government & politics (united states) program here. Early-career american government & politics (united states) graduates make about $27,600. That is a strong return on a $24,450 median debt. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Baltimore is a great value for students pursuing a degree in american government & politics (united states), landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, University Of Baltimore is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, compared with $23,984 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for american government & politics (united states) graduates is $29,681. Soon after graduation, american government & politics (united states) degree recipients from University Of Baltimore generally make around $56,837. That is a strong return on a $29,681 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Boston ranked #6 on our 2026 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Early-career american government & politics (united states) graduates make about $34,499. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
South Dakota State University landed the #7 spot for american government & politics (united states) value this year. Set in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,299, with out-of-state students paying around $12,809. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the american government & politics (united states) program here. Soon after graduation, american government & politics (united states) degree recipients from South Dakota State University generally make around $51,260. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Salem State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value american government & politics (united states) schools. Located in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,338, while out-of-state students pay about $19,531. Typical student debt for american government & politics (united states) graduates is $27,176. Soon after graduation, american government & politics (united states) degree recipients from Salem State University generally make around $49,656. That is a strong return on a $27,176 median debt. Salem State University admits about 96% of applicants.
Western Michigan University placed #9 among the best values for american government & politics (united states). Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,987, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Typical student debt for american government & politics (united states) graduates is $26,564. Early-career american government & politics (united states) graduates make about $38,744. Set against $26,564 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value american government & politics (united states) schools. Located in the suburb of Johnstown, University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,906, while out-of-state students pay about $26,780. Students borrow a median of $25,900 to complete the american government & politics (united states) program here. American Government & Politics (United States) graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown earn a median of $35,390 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,900 median debt. University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Columbia placed #11 among the best values for american government & politics (united states). Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,837, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,517 to complete the american government & politics (united states) program here. American Government & Politics (United States) graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $37,722 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,517 median debt. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
Willamette University came in at #12 for value in american government & politics (united states) this year. Located in the city of Salem, Willamette University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,156. Typical student debt for american government & politics (united states) graduates is $21,331. Early-career american government & politics (united states) graduates make about $35,162. That is a strong return on a $21,331 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Belmont Abbey College came in at #13 for value in american government & politics (united states) this year. Located in the suburb of Belmont, Belmont Abbey College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $19,500 in tuition and fees. American Government & Politics (United States) graduates carry a median of $27,140 in student loans. Soon after graduation, american government & politics (united states) degree recipients from Belmont Abbey College generally make around $40,322. That is a strong return on a $27,140 median debt. Belmont Abbey College 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Taylor University admits about 74% of applicants.
Misericordia University landed the #15 spot for american government & politics (united states) value this year. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Misericordia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,370. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the american government & politics (united states) program here. Early-career american government & politics (united states) graduates make about $37,560. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Drake University landed the #16 spot for american government & politics (united states) value this year. Set in the city of Des Moines, Drake University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,960. Typical student debt for american government & politics (united states) graduates is $21,138. Early-career american government & politics (united states) graduates make about $56,228. That is a strong return on a $21,138 median debt. Drake University admits about 64% of applicants.
Emmanuel College Massachusetts came in at #17 for value in american government & politics (united states) this year. Emmanuel College Massachusetts is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Students from in state pay about $48,550 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for american government & politics (united states) graduates is $26,500. American Government & Politics (United States) graduates of Emmanuel College Massachusetts earn a median of $38,004 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Catholic University Of America placed #18 among the best values for american government & politics (united states). 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. American Government & Politics (United States) graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. 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. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
George Washington University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value american government & politics (united states) schools. Located in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit university. 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. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Roughly 47% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Puget Sound placed #20 among the best values for american government & politics (united states). Set in the city of Tacoma, University Of Puget Sound is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,898. American Government & Politics (United States) graduates carry a median of $22,801 in student loans. American Government & Politics (United States) graduates of University Of Puget Sound earn a median of $31,290 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Puget Sound admits about 72% of applicants.
Georgetown University earned the #21 position for value in american government & politics (united states) this year. Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,089. Typical student debt for american government & politics (united states) graduates is $16,500. Soon after graduation, american government & politics (united states) degree recipients from Georgetown University generally make around $79,632. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 13% of applicants are accepted.
Villanova University placed #22 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. Students from in state pay about $67,776 in tuition and fees. 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. That is a strong return on a $25,620 median debt. Villanova University admits about 27% of applicants.
Other American Government & Politics (United States) Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value American Government & Politics (United States) rankings across degree levels:
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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 · 43 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.