2026 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Far Western Region
[Political Science](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/political-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong political science education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 216 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value political science schools.
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2026 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Far Western Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the political science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Political Science Schools
San Diego Miramar College earned the #1 spot for value among political science schools in the Far Western Region. San Diego Miramar College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $8,098. Political Science graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.
Cerritos College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Political Science graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Moorpark College one of the best values for political science. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
College Of The Canyons came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $9,776. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at San Diego Mesa College earned it the #5 place for political science. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $6,999 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $29,852. Set against $6,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mt San Antonio College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $9,384. Political Science graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
Irvine Valley College landed the #7 spot for political science value this year. Located in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,860. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $6,672. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,156 ten years after entry. Set against $6,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Valley College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $0, while out-of-state students pay about $9,320. Political Science graduates carry a median of $14,308 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from West Valley College generally make around $25,378. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Sequoias placed #9 among the best values for political science. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. Students from in state pay about $1,394 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $10,288. Early-career political science graduates make about $37,749. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saddleback College came in at #10 for value in political science this year. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. Students from in state pay about $1,432 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Political Science graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $15,890. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grossmont College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Set in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, compared with $10,628 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $40,309 ten years out.
California State University Dominguez Hills landed the #12 spot for political science value this year. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Students borrow a median of $10,268 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $25,837 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,268 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Golden West College landed the #13 spot for political science value this year. Golden West College is a large public school located in the suburb of Huntington Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,380, while out-of-state students pay about $11,628. Political Science graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Golden West College generally make around $82,984. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt.
Imperial Valley College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Set in the rural area of Imperial, Imperial Valley College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,126, compared with $8,830 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $6,176 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Imperial Valley College generally make around $42,617. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fresno City College came in at #15 for value in political science this year. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Students borrow a median of $7,234 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $37,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santiago Canyon College earned the #16 position for value in political science this year. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,164, while out-of-state students pay about $9,612. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $5,500. Political Science graduates of Santiago Canyon College earn a median of $34,100 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College landed the #17 spot for political science value this year. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. Students from in state pay about $1,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Political Science graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $38,841. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
El Camino Community College District ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Set in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,144 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,630 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,589 ten years after entry.
Santa Monica College placed #19 among the best values for political science. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
De Anza College earned the #20 position for value in political science this year. Located in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,571, compared with $12,596 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $7,271 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $56,596. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Reedley College placed #21 among the best values for political science. Set in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $30,520. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
American River College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Students borrow a median of $14,105 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of American River College earn a median of $76,077 early in their careers. Set against $14,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Orange Coast College placed #23 among the best values for political science. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,392, with out-of-state students paying around $11,640. Political Science graduates carry a median of $8,978 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $46,306. Set against $8,978 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sacramento City College landed the #24 spot for political science value this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, Sacramento City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Students borrow a median of $13,180 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $46,522. That is a strong return on a $13,180 median debt.
California State University Los Angeles placed #25 among the best values for political science. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $10,614. Political Science graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $29,818 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Political Science Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s political science value ranking:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 216 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 83 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.
