2026 Best Value Other Political Science & Government Schools in the Far Western Region

[Other Political Science & Government](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/political-science-and-government-other/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong other political science & government education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 9 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for other political science & government students.
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Featured Other Political Science & Government Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
BA in Political Science
Gain a solid understanding of American political history, the current political landscape, and the major political parties with this online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.
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2026 Best Value Other Political Science & Government Schools in the Far Western Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the other political science & government degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Other Political Science & Government Schools
Leading the list is University Of California San Diego, our #1 best value for other political science & government in the Far Western Region. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Other Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $16,030 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other political science & government degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $33,345. That is a strong return on a $16,030 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.
University Of California Irvine came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value other political science & government schools. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for other political science & government graduates is $16,293. Other Political Science & Government graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $31,976 early in their careers. Set against $16,293 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in other political science & government, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. 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 Riverside is a great value for students pursuing a degree in other political science & government, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,636, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. Other Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $18,300 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other political science & government degree recipients from University Of California Riverside generally make around $30,060. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Davis earned it the #5 place for other political science & government. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Set against $14,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Pitzer College placed #6 among the best values for other political science & government. Located in the suburb of Claremont, Pitzer College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,192. Other Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $18,125 in student loans. Other Political Science & Government graduates of Pitzer College earn a median of $40,668 early in their careers. Set against $18,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 25% of applicants are accepted.
Whitman College landed the #7 spot for other political science & government value this year. Whitman College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Walla Walla. Students from in state pay about $64,050 in tuition and fees. Other Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $16,750 in student loans. Early-career other political science & government graduates make about $27,689. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Whitman College admits about 38% of applicants.
Scripps College came in at #8 for value in other political science & government this year. Set in the suburb of Claremont, Scripps College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,950 in tuition and fees. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $77,539. The acceptance rate is 38%.
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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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.