2027 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/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong other political science & government education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 47 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value other political science & government schools.
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2027 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
Our analysis ranked University Of California San Diego the best value for a degree in other political science & government in the United States. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Other Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $16,030 in student loans. Other Political Science & Government graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $33,345 early in their careers. Set against $16,030 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.
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. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the other political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, other political science & government degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $41,246. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Irvine earned it the #3 place for other political science & government. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Students borrow a median of $16,293 to complete the other political science & government program here. Other Political Science & Government graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $50,958 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,293 median debt. The acceptance rate is 29%.
Students looking for strong value in other political science & government will find it at Purdue University Main Campus, which ranked #4. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for other political science & government graduates is $20,000. Other Political Science & Government graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $63,111 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Davis came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value other political science & government schools. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Other Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $14,250 in student loans. Early-career other political science & government graduates make about $36,208. That is a strong return on a $14,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of Maryland College Park earned the #6 position for value in other political science & government this year. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Students borrow a median of $18,768 to complete the other political science & government program here. 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. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
University Of California Riverside came in at #7 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. In-state tuition and fees average $14,636, 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. Set against $18,300 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Riverside admits about 76% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Provo came in at #8 for value in other political science & government this year. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,688. Students borrow a median of $11,745 to complete the other political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, other political science & government degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $47,020. Set against $11,745 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Arizona State University came in at #9 for value in other political science & government this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. 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 $42,481. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #10 among the best values for other political science & government. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete the other political science & government program here. Early-career other political science & government graduates make about $42,063. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
University Of Akron Main Campus earned the #11 position for value in other political science & government this year. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,135, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. Typical student debt for other political science & government graduates is $25,983. Early-career other political science & government graduates make about $26,574. Set against $25,983 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.
University Of Arizona landed the #12 spot for other political science & government value this year. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Students borrow a median of $21,630 to complete the other political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, other political science & government degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $36,193. Set against $21,630 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Delaware ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value other political science & government schools. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,810, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. Students borrow a median of $24,998 to complete the other political science & government program here. Other Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Delaware earn a median of $31,972 early in their careers. Set against $24,998 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Johns Hopkins University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value other political science & government schools. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.
George Mason University came in at #15 for value in other political science & government this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,220, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Other Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Other Political Science & Government graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $45,846 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Western Michigan University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value other political science & government schools. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. 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 other political science & government graduates is $26,564. Soon after graduation, other political science & government degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $38,744. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of Northern Iowa ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value other political science & government schools. University Of Northern Iowa is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Falls. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Early-career other political science & government graduates make about $37,875. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
Harvard University came in at #18 for value in other political science & government this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Typical student debt for other political science & government graduates is $16,616. Early-career other political science & government graduates make about $61,543. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Mississippi State University placed #19 among the best values for other political science & government. Located in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,202, compared with $27,637 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,547 to complete the other political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, other political science & government degree recipients from Mississippi State University generally make around $29,442. Set against $26,547 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington came in at #20 for value in other political science & government this year. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public school located in the city of Wilmington. Students from in state pay about $7,277 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,152. Other Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Other Political Science & Government graduates of University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earn a median of $46,164 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington admits about 64% of applicants.
Ripon College landed the #21 spot for other political science & government value this year. Located in the town of Ripon, Ripon College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $51,900 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for other political science & government graduates is $26,973. Early-career other political science & government graduates make about $35,385. Set against $26,973 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ripon College admits about 80% of applicants.
South Dakota State University landed the #22 spot for other political science & government value this year. South Dakota State University is a large public school located in the town of Brookings. In-state tuition and fees average $9,299, with out-of-state students paying around $12,809. Other Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Other Political Science & Government graduates of South Dakota State University earn a median of $51,260 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. South Dakota State University admits about 98% of applicants.
Ohio University Main Campus landed the #23 spot for other political science & government value this year. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,158, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for other political science & government graduates is $24,625. Soon after graduation, other political science & government degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $38,753. That is a strong return on a $24,625 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Mcdaniel College earned the #24 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. Students from in state pay about $52,081 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,362 to complete the other political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, other political science & government degree recipients from Mcdaniel College generally make around $54,904. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mcdaniel College admits about 78% of applicants.
Swarthmore College landed the #25 spot for other political science & government value this year. Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Swarthmore. Students from in state pay about $65,494 in tuition and fees. Other Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career other political science & government graduates make about $40,449. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 47 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
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Other Political Science & Government rankings across degree levels:
View All Other Political Science & Government Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 47 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 47 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.