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Featured Political Science 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 Political Science Schools in Oregon
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in political science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Political Science Schools
Portland State University tops our 2026 list of the best value political science schools in Oregon. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,118, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $23,818. Political Science graduates of Portland State University earn a median of $35,173 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Oregon State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,400, compared with $38,190 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $24,260. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Oregon State University generally make around $39,157. Set against $24,260 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oregon State University admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of Oregon is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,320, while out-of-state students pay about $42,516. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $20,183. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Oregon generally make around $36,022. That is a strong return on a $20,183 median debt. University Of Oregon admits about 88% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Willamette University one of the best values for political science. Set in the city of Salem, Willamette University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,156. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $21,331. Early-career political science graduates make about $41,892. Set against $21,331 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Willamette University admits about 77% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lewis And Clark College earned it the #5 place for political science. Located in the city of Portland, Lewis And Clark College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,828. Students borrow a median of $23,301 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $38,784. Set against $23,301 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lewis And Clark College admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of Portland placed #6 among the best values for political science. Set in the city of Portland, University Of Portland is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,100. Political Science graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $23,017. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Reed College earned the #7 position for value in political science this year. Located in the city of Portland, Reed College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $69,350. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $21,137. Political Science graduates of Reed College earn a median of $30,588 early in their careers. Set against $21,137 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 25%.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.