2026 Best Value Other Political Science & Government Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Other Political Science & Government](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/political-science-and-government-other/) 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 77 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value other political science & government schools.
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2026 Best Value Other Political Science & Government Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in other political science & government, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Other Political Science & Government Schools
University Of California Irvine tops our 2026 list of the best value other political science & government schools in the United States. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for other political science & government graduates is $16,293. Soon after graduation, other political science & government degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $31,976. That is a strong return on a $16,293 median debt. The acceptance rate is 29%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned it the #2 place for other political science & government. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Other Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Other Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $41,246 early in their careers. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.
University Of California San Diego is a great value for students pursuing a degree in other political science & government, landing the #3 spot this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Typical student debt for other political science & government graduates is $16,030. Early-career other political science & government graduates make about $33,345. Set against $16,030 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value other political science & government schools. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the other political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, other political science & government degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $39,708. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Arizona State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value other political science & government schools. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the other political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, other political science & government degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $42,481. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Provo ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value other political science & government schools. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,688. Other Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $11,745 in student loans. Other Political Science & Government graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $47,020 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,745 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Riverside earned the #7 position for value in other political science & government this year. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,636 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. Students borrow a median of $18,300 to complete the other political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, other political science & government degree recipients from University Of California Riverside generally make around $30,060. That is a strong return on a $18,300 median debt. University Of California Riverside admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of California Davis came in at #8 for value in other political science & government this year. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Other Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $14,250 in student loans. Other Political Science & Government graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $36,208 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of Maryland College Park placed #9 among the best values for other political science & government. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Typical student debt for other political science & government graduates is $18,768. Other Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $42,688 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Harvard University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value other political science & government schools. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the other political science & government program here. Early-career other political science & government graduates make about $61,543. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #11 position for value in other political science & government this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Typical student debt for other political science & government graduates is $22,000. Soon after graduation, other political science & government degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $42,063. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Johns Hopkins University landed the #12 spot for other political science & government value this year. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. In-state tuition and fees average $64,730. Other Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other political science & government degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $83,555. That is a strong return on a $13,426 median debt. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.
University Of Northern Iowa came in at #13 for value in other political science & government this year. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,936, with out-of-state students paying around $21,712. Other Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Other Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Northern Iowa earn a median of $37,875 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arizona ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value other political science & government schools. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Other Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $21,630 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other political science & government degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $36,193. That is a strong return on a $21,630 median debt. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
Mississippi State University came in at #15 for value in other political science & government this year. Located in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,202, with out-of-state students paying around $27,637. Typical student debt for other political science & government graduates is $26,547. Soon after graduation, other political science & government degree recipients from Mississippi State University generally make around $29,442. That is a strong return on a $26,547 median debt. Mississippi State University admits about 78% of applicants.
George Mason University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value other political science & government schools. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,220, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for other political science & government graduates is $22,000. Soon after graduation, other political science & government degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $45,846. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Swarthmore College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value other political science & government schools. Located in the suburb of Swarthmore, Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,494. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the other political science & government program here. Early-career other political science & government graduates make about $40,449. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Akron Main Campus came in at #18 for value in other political science & government this year. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. In-state tuition and fees average $13,135, with out-of-state students paying around $20,815. Typical student debt for other political science & government graduates is $25,983. Soon after graduation, other political science & government degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $26,574. That is a strong return on a $25,983 median debt. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.
South Dakota State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value other political science & government schools. Located in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,299, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the other political science & government program here. Other Political Science & Government graduates of South Dakota State University earn a median of $51,260 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. South Dakota State University admits about 98% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington landed the #20 spot for other political science & government value this year. Set in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,277 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,152. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the other political science & government program here. Early-career other political science & government graduates make about $46,164. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington admits about 64% of applicants.
Ohio University Main Campus landed the #21 spot for other political science & government value this year. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Other Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $24,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other political science & government degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $38,753. Set against $24,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Western Michigan University came in at #22 for value in other political science & government this year. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,987 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Typical student debt for other political science & government graduates is $26,564. Early-career other political science & government graduates make about $38,744. That is a strong return on a $26,564 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Mcdaniel College earned the #23 position for value in other political science & government this year. Located in the town of Westminster, Mcdaniel College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $52,081. Other Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $25,362 in student loans. Early-career other political science & government graduates make about $54,904. Set against $25,362 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Ripon College came in at #24 for value in other political science & government this year. Set in the town of Ripon, Ripon College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $51,900 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for other political science & government graduates is $26,973. Soon after graduation, other political science & government degree recipients from Ripon College generally make around $35,385. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Grand Canyon University placed #25 among the best values for other political science & government. Set in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,508. Typical student debt for other political science & government graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, other political science & government degree recipients from Grand Canyon University generally make around $37,704. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Grand Canyon University admits about 79% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 44 Best Value Other Political Science & Government Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for other political science & government this year:
Other Other Political Science & Government Degree Levels
Explore the best-value other political science & government schools at other degree levels:
View All Other Political Science & Government Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 77 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 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.
