2026 Best Value American Government & Politics (United States) Schools in the The Plains States Region
[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 11 schools to find the best return on investment for american government & politics (united states) students.
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2026 Best Value American Government & Politics (United States) Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in american government & politics (united states), balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value American Government & Politics (United States) Schools
Leading the list is University Of Nebraska At Omaha, our #1 best value for american government & politics (united states) in the The Plains States Region. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public school located in the city of Omaha. In-state tuition and fees average $8,718, with out-of-state students paying around $23,206. Typical student debt for american government & politics (united states) graduates is $22,119. American Government & Politics (United States) graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of $46,884 early in their careers. Set against $22,119 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nebraska At Omaha admits about 87% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at South Dakota State University earned it the #2 place for american government & politics (united states). Located in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,299, while out-of-state students pay about $12,809. Typical student debt for american government & politics (united states) graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, american government & politics (united states) degree recipients from South Dakota State University generally make around $51,260. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value american government & politics (united states) schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
A rank of #4 makes Drake University one of the best values for american government & politics (united states). 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. American Government & Politics (United States) graduates of Drake University earn a median of $56,228 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Drake University admits about 64% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
