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2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k

164 Ranked Colleges
10,353 Degrees Awarded
$7,600 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Bachelor's in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. 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 for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking.

In 2019-2020, 46,740 people earned their degree in political science, making the major the 14th most popular in the United States.

Across the Southeast region, there were 10,925 political science graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 10,353 political science graduates with average earnings and debt of $36,277 and $25,415 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 164 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.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the political science program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for southeast region bachelor’s degree poly sci students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Political Science (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region

#1

Duke University

Durham, North Carolina
#1 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Duke University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Durham, North Carolina is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s poly sci degrees to 131 students in 2019-2020.

Duke did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Political Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $-1,314 for southeast region bachelor’s degree poly sci students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Duke. The negative number means the student will receive more financial aid on average than it costs to attend the school.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low 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%. Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full Duke Political Science Report

#2

Washington and Lee University

Lexington, Virginia
#4 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Washington and Lee University. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Lexington, Virginia, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 53 degrees to qualified bachelors’s poly sci students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Washington and Lee, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Political Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Washington and Lee is $2,039 for southeast region bachelor’s degree poly sci students whose families make $30-$48k.

Since the school has a 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 student loan default rate. It’s only 0.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%.

Read more about Political Science at Washington and Lee University

#3

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee
#3 in overall quality

Out of the 164 schools in the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Vanderbilt University landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 97 degrees to qualified bachelors’s poly sci students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southeast region bachelor’s degree poly sci students whose families make $30-$48k list, Vanderbilt has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Political Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Vanderbilt is $6,017 for southeast region bachelor’s degree poly sci students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Vanderbilt University Political Science Report

#4

Wake Forest University

Winston-Salem, North Carolina
#2 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Wake Forest University. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and it awarded 146 bachelors’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Wake Forest University, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Political Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $5,981 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Poly Sci students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Wake Forest University.

With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The low student loan default rate of 1.6% 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%.

Read full report on Political Science at Wake Forest University

#5

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida
#11 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Florida. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k. UF is located in Gainesville, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 362 bachelors’s poly sci degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UF, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Political Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Florida is $4,069 for southeast region bachelor’s degree poly sci students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%.

Full UF Political Science Report

#6

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina
#7 in overall quality

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #6. UNC Chapel Hill is a large school located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina that handed out 339 bachelors’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southeast region bachelor’s degree poly sci students whose families make $30-$48k list, UNC Chapel Hill has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Political Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $6,063 for southeast region bachelor’s degree poly sci students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UNC Chapel Hill.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Political Science at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

#7

William & Mary

Williamsburg, Virginia
#8 in overall quality

William & Mary landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. William & Mary is a medium-sized public school situated in Williamsburg, Virginia. It awarded 182 bachelors’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

William & Mary did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Political Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend William & Mary is $4,963 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Poly Sci students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Political Science at William & Mary

#8

Emory University

Atlanta, Georgia
#6 in overall quality

Emory University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Atlanta, Georgia is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s poly sci degrees to 90 students in 2019-2020.

Emory did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Political Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Emory University is $9,629 for southeast region bachelor’s degree poly sci students whose families make $30-$48k.

The impressive 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 student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.

Read more about Political Science at Emory

#9

University of Virginia - Main Campus

Charlottesville, Virginia
#5 in overall quality

University of Virginia - Main Campus came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Virginia - Main Campus is a large school located in Charlottesville, Virginia that handed out 112 bachelors’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at University of Virginia, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Political Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Virginia is $11,696 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Poly Sci students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. The low student loan default rate of 1.6% 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%.

Read full report on Political Science at University of Virginia

#10

University of Richmond

University of Richmond, Virginia
#10 in overall quality

University of Richmond landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Richmond, Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s poly sci degrees to 52 students in 2019-2020.

URichmond also made our “Best Political Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #10. It costs about $9,131 for southeast region bachelor’s degree poly sci students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend URichmond.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The low student loan default rate of 1.2% 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 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Political Science at URichmond

#11

Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida
#20 in overall quality

With a ranking of #11, Florida State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Florida State University is located in Tallahassee, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 418 bachelors’s poly sci degrees to qualified students.

Florida State also made our “Best Political Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #20. It costs about $6,816 for southeast region bachelor’s degree poly sci students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Florida State.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. The student loan default rate at the school is 3.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Political Science at Florida State University

Florida International University landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. FIU is located in Miami, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 292 bachelors’s poly sci degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $6,683 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Poly Sci students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend FIU.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.

Read full report on Political Science at Florida International University

#13

University of Central Florida

Orlando, Florida
Top 20% in overall quality

University of Central Florida landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Orlando, Florida, and it awarded 331 bachelors’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, UCF is also in the top of our “Best Political Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Political Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UCF is $7,847 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Poly Sci students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Political Science at UCF

Top 25% in overall quality

University of South Florida - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #14. Located in Tampa, Florida, this large public school awarded 196 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s poly sci students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for University of South Florida - Main Campus is $5,616 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Poly Sci students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The low student loan default rate of 4.5% 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%.

Read more about Political Science at University of South Florida - Main Campus

#15

North Carolina State University

Raleigh, North Carolina
#16 in overall quality

North Carolina State University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. NC State is a public institution located in Raleigh, North Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 145 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

NC State also took the #16 spot in our “Best Political Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend NC State is $9,887 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Poly Sci students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full North Carolina State University Political Science Report

#16

The University of West Florida

Pensacola, Florida

The University of West Florida ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UWF is a public institution located in Pensacola, Florida. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 24 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend UWF is $3,912 for southeast region bachelor’s degree poly sci students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Political Science at UWF

#17

University of Georgia

Athens, Georgia
#18 in overall quality

University of Georgia came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UGA is located in Athens, Georgia and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 208 bachelors’s poly sci degrees to qualified students.

UGA also took the #18 spot in our “Best Political Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $10,241 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Poly Sci students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Georgia.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low student loan default rate of 2.5% 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%.

Read full report on Political Science at University of Georgia

#18

University of North Florida

Jacksonville, Florida

University of North Florida ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UNF is a fairly large school located in Jacksonville, Florida that handed out 103 bachelors’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for University of North Florida is $5,942 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Poly Sci students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low student loan default rate of 4.3% 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 University of North Florida

#19

Florida Gulf Coast University

Fort Myers, Florida

Florida Gulf Coast University landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Florida Gulf Coast University is located in Fort Myers, Florida and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 40 bachelors’s poly sci degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $8,748 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Poly Sci students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend FGCU.

Full FGCU Political Science Report

#20

Florida Atlantic University

Boca Raton, Florida

With a ranking of #20, Florida Atlantic University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Florida Atlantic University is a large school located in Boca Raton, Florida that handed out 152 bachelors’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $7,331 for southeast region bachelor’s degree poly sci students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Florida Atlantic University.

Read more about Political Science at Florida Atlantic University

#21

American Public University System

Charles Town, West Virginia
Top 20% in overall quality

American Public University System came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. American Military University is a large school located in Charles Town, West Virginia that handed out 60 bachelors’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, American Military University is also in the top of our “Best Political Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Political Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend American Military University is $10,917 for southeast region bachelor’s degree poly sci students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 98%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read more about Political Science at American Public University System

#22

Virginia Tech

Blacksburg, Virginia
#12 in overall quality

Virginia Tech came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Virginia Tech is located in Blacksburg, Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 194 bachelors’s poly sci degrees to qualified students.

Virginia Tech not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Political Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Virginia Tech is $14,010 for southeast region bachelor’s degree poly sci students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Political Science at Virginia Tech

#23

University of Mississippi

University, Mississippi

University of Mississippi ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Ole Miss is a large school located in University, Mississippi that handed out 102 bachelors’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Ole Miss is $11,566 for southeast region bachelor’s degree poly sci students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Read more about Political Science at University of Mississippi

#24

Citadel Military College of South Carolina

Charleston, South Carolina
#25 in overall quality

Citadel Military College of South Carolina landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. The Citadel is a small public school situated in Charleston, South Carolina. It awarded 49 bachelors’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

The Citadel did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best Political Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Citadel Military College of South Carolina is $11,373 for southeast region bachelor’s degree poly sci students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full The Citadel Political Science Report

#25

Appalachian State University

Boone, North Carolina

Appalachian State University landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Boone, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s poly sci degrees to 120 students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Appalachian State University is $9,884 for southeast region bachelor’s degree poly sci students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Appalachian State University Political Science Report

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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