2026 Best Value Political Science Schools in California
[Political Science](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/political-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 177 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value political science schools.
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Featured Political Science Programs
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BA in Political Science
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2026 Best Value Political Science Schools in California
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
Leading the list is San Diego Miramar College, our #1 best value for political science in California. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Students borrow a median of $8,098 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from San Diego Miramar College generally make around $41,038. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cerritos College earned it the #2 place for political science. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $11,306. Political Science graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in political science will find it at Moorpark College, which ranked #3. 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, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
San Diego Mesa College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Political Science graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $29,852. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in political science will find it at College Of The Canyons, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $51,913. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of The Sequoias placed #6 among the best values for political science. College Of The Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia. In-state tuition and fees average $1,394, with out-of-state students paying around $9,038. Students borrow a median of $10,288 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from College Of The Sequoias generally make around $37,749. Set against $10,288 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Valley College landed the #7 spot for political science value this year. West Valley College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga. In-state tuition and fees average $0, compared with $9,320 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $14,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Irvine Valley College placed #8 among the best values for political science. Irvine Valley College is a large public school located in the city of Irvine. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, compared with $11,860 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $6,672 in student loans. Median earnings reach $49,156 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $6,672 median debt.
Mt San Antonio College placed #9 among the best values for political science. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Political Science graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grossmont College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, compared with $10,628 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,309.
Saddleback College landed the #11 spot for political science value this year. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,432 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
California State University Dominguez Hills ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. 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, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $10,268. Early-career political science graduates make about $25,837. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Imperial Valley College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Imperial Valley College is a large public school located in the rural area of Imperial. Students from in state pay about $1,126 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,830 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $6,176. Political Science graduates of Imperial Valley College earn a median of $42,617 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Golden West College landed the #14 spot for political science value this year. Located in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,380, while out-of-state students pay about $11,628. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of Golden West College earn a median of $82,984 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fresno City College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Students from in state pay about $1,164 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,612. Political Science graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $34,100. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Reedley College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Reedley College is a large public school located in the town of Reedley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of Reedley College earn a median of $30,520 early in their careers. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Monica College landed the #19 spot for political science value this year. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
Ventura College landed the #20 spot for political science value this year. Located in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $20,250. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Ventura College generally make around $99,778. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
De Anza College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Set in the city of Cupertino, De Anza College is a very large public institution. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,596 ten years after entry. Set against $7,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Camino Community College District ranked #22 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. In-state tuition and fees average $1,144, compared with $7,630 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $41,589 ten years out.
Sacramento City College landed the #23 spot for political science value this year. Sacramento City College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Political Science graduates carry a median of $13,180 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $46,522. Set against $13,180 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Diego City College earned the #24 position for value in political science this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $9,514 in student loans. Political Science graduates of San Diego City College earn a median of $26,218 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,514 median debt.
American River College ranked #25 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. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from American River College generally make around $76,077. Set against $14,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Political Science Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in political science:
More Political Science Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 177 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 59 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.
