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2023 Best Value Colleges for Political Science (Income $0-$30k) in Pennsylvania

46 Ranked Colleges
2,044 Degrees Awarded
$14,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking.

In 2020-2021, 47,549 people earned their degree in political science, making the major the 13th most popular in the United States.

Across Pennsylvania, there were 2,044 political science graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 46 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in political science. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great political science programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the political science program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Political Science (Income $0-$30k) in Pennsylvania

1
UPenn crest
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Pennsylvania. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k. University of Pennsylvania is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 153 ’s poly sci degrees to qualified students.

UPenn not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Political Science Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Pennsylvania is $580 for Pennsylvania Poly Sci students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%.

Read full report on Political Science at UPenn

2
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Lafayette College
Easton, Pennsylvania

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Lafayette College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. Lafayette College is located in Easton, Pennsylvania and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 52 ’s poly sci degrees to qualified students.

Lafayette also took the #2 spot in our “Best Political Science Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $11,728 for Pennsylvania Poly Sci students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Lafayette.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Lafayette Political Science Report

3
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Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, Pennsylvania

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Swarthmore College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. Swarthmore College is a small school located in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania that handed out 23 ’s poly sci degrees in 2020-2021.

Swarthmore also made our “Best Political Science Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #5. The yearly cost to attend Swarthmore College is $4,594 for pennsylvania poly sci students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Swarthmore Political Science Report

4
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Haverford College
Haverford, Pennsylvania

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Haverford College. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k. This small school is located in Haverford, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 33 ’s poly sci degrees in 2020-2021.

Haverford also took the #6 spot in our “Best Political Science Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $9,357 for pennsylvania poly sci students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Haverford.

With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Political Science at Haverford College

5
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Gettysburg College
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

Out of the 46 schools in the Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Gettysburg College landed the #5 spot on the list. Gettysburg is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. It awarded 71 ’s poly sci degrees in 2020-2021.

Gettysburg not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Political Science Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The estimated yearly cost for Gettysburg College is $14,205 for pennsylvania poly sci students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full Gettysburg Political Science Report

6
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Dickinson College
Carlisle, Pennsylvania

Dickinson College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 55 diplomas to qualified ’s poly sci students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania poly sci students whose families make $0-$30k list, Dickinson has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Political Science Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Dickinson is $12,729 for Pennsylvania Poly Sci students whose families make $0-$30k.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Political Science at Dickinson College

7
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Franklin and Marshall College
Lancaster, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #7, Franklin and Marshall College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. Franklin and Marshall is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. It awarded 47 ’s poly sci degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania poly sci students whose families make $0-$30k list, Franklin and Marshall has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Political Science Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $14,017 for Pennsylvania Poly Sci students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Franklin and Marshall.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Political Science at Franklin and Marshall College

8
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Lycoming College
Williamsport, Pennsylvania

Lycoming College landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 5 degrees to qualified ’s poly sci students in 2020-2021.

Lycoming also made our “Best Political Science Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #13. The estimated yearly cost for Lycoming College is $13,045 for pennsylvania poly sci students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Lycoming Political Science Report

9
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Muhlenberg College
Allentown, Pennsylvania

Muhlenberg College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Allentown, Pennsylvania, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 18 diplomas to qualified ’s poly sci students in 2020-2021.

Muhlenberg did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Political Science Schools in Pennsylvania” list. It costs about $18,000 for pennsylvania poly sci students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Muhlenberg College.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Political Science at Muhlenberg College

10
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Villanova University
Villanova, Pennsylvania

Villanova University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. This fairly large school is located in Villanova, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 133 ’s poly sci degrees in 2020-2021.

Villanova also made our “Best Political Science Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #3. The estimated yearly cost for Villanova is $24,907 for pennsylvania poly sci students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Political Science at Villanova University

11
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Bucknell University
Lewisburg, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #11, Bucknell University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 89 diplomas to qualified ’s poly sci students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Bucknell, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Political Science Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $22,722 for Pennsylvania Poly Sci students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Bucknell University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on Political Science at Bucknell

12
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Saint Vincent College
Latrobe, Pennsylvania

Saint Vincent College landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Latrobe, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s poly sci degrees to 16 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Saint Vincent, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Political Science Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Saint Vincent College is $15,105 for pennsylvania poly sci students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Political Science at Saint Vincent College

13
HACC crest
Harrisburg Area Community College
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #13, Harrisburg Area Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. HACC is a fairly large public school situated in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. It awarded 6 ’s poly sci degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for HACC is $9,741 for Pennsylvania Poly Sci students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Political Science at Harrisburg Area Community College

14

University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 207 ’s poly sci degrees in 2020-2021.

Pitt also took the #7 spot in our “Best Political Science Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $15,084 for Pennsylvania Poly Sci students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Pitt.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Political Science at Pitt

15
Temple crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Temple University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #15. Temple University is a large public school situated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It awarded 145 ’s poly sci degrees in 2020-2021.

Temple also took the #10 spot in our “Best Political Science Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Temple University is $18,173 for pennsylvania poly sci students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Political Science at Temple University

16
Allegheny crest
Allegheny College
Meadville, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #16, Allegheny College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. Allegheny is located in Meadville, Pennsylvania and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 25 ’s poly sci degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Allegheny, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Political Science Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Allegheny College is $17,681 for Pennsylvania Poly Sci students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on Political Science at Allegheny College

17
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Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 21 ’s poly sci degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,091 for pennsylvania poly sci students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Political Science Report

18
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West Chester University of Pennsylvania
West Chester, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #18, West Chester University of Pennsylvania did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in West Chester, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 47 ’s poly sci degrees in 2020-2021.

WCUPA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Political Science Schools in Pennsylvania” list. It costs about $15,718 for Pennsylvania Poly Sci students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend WCUPA.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Political Science at WCUPA

19

Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania is a medium-sized school located in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania that handed out 23 ’s poly sci degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $16,112 for Pennsylvania Poly Sci students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Bloomsburg.

Read more about Political Science at Bloomsburg

20
Albright crest
Albright College
Reading, Pennsylvania

Albright College landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Reading, Pennsylvania, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 14 diplomas to qualified ’s poly sci students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Albright is $15,448 for pennsylvania poly sci students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Political Science at Albright College

21
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Washington & Jefferson College
Washington, Pennsylvania

Washington & Jefferson College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #21. Located in Washington, Pennsylvania, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 11 diplomas to qualified ’s poly sci students in 2020-2021.

W&J also made our “Best Political Science Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #20. It costs about $20,962 for pennsylvania poly sci students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Washington & Jefferson College.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Political Science at W&J

22
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Millersville University of Pennsylvania
Millersville, Pennsylvania

Millersville University of Pennsylvania landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Millersville University of Pennsylvania is a medium-sized school located in Millersville, Pennsylvania that handed out 15 ’s poly sci degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Millersville is $17,224 for pennsylvania poly sci students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Millersville University of Pennsylvania Political Science Report

23

Edinboro University of Pennsylvania landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Edinboro, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s poly sci degrees to 8 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Edinboro University of Pennsylvania is $12,212 for pennsylvania poly sci students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Political Science at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania

24
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Susquehanna University
Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania

Susquehanna University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Susquehanna University is located in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 22 ’s poly sci degrees to qualified students.

Susquehanna also made our “Best Political Science Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #19. The estimated yearly cost for Susquehanna is $17,040 for pennsylvania poly sci students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Susquehanna University Political Science Report

25

Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in Indiana, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 31 ’s poly sci degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus is $19,397 for Pennsylvania Poly Sci students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Political Science at Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Main Campus

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