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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Political Science in California

17 Ranked Colleges
137 Degrees Awarded
$26,600 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master's in California

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in California” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

Political Science is the 14th most popular major in the country with 46,740 degrees awarded in 2019-2020.

Across California, there were 7,602 political science graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 137 political science graduates with average earnings and debt of $60,281 and $50,119 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in California” ranking, we looked at 17 colleges that offer a degree in political science. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality political science programs that also have a lower cost than 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Political Science Schools

The poly sci school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in California”.

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. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in California

The colleges and universities below are the best for california master’s degree poly sci students.

Top 17 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Political Science in California

#1

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#2 in overall quality

Out of the 17 schools in the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in California that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Los Angeles landed the #1 spot on the list. University of California - Los Angeles is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 25 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree poly sci students list, UCLA has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCLA are $28,131, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science at UCLA

#3 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - San Diego. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in California list. University of California - San Diego is a public institution located in La Jolla, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 9 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UCSD also took the #3 spot in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCSD are $28,631, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Political Science at University of California - San Diego

#4 in overall quality

Out of the 17 schools in the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in California that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Irvine landed the #3 spot on the list. UC Irvine is a large public school situated in Irvine, California. It awarded 3 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Irvine did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Irvine are $28,456, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UC Irvine Political Science Report

#4

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California
#5 in overall quality

Out of the 17 schools in the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in California that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Santa Barbara landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in Santa Barbara, California, this large public school handed out 6 diplomas to qualified masters’s poly sci students in 2019-2020.

UCSB also made our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #5. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Santa Barbara are $28,670, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Political Science at University of California - Santa Barbara

#10 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Long Beach. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in California list. California State University - Long Beach is located in Long Beach, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 5 masters’s poly sci degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our california master’s degree poly sci students list, CSULB has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at CSULB are $17,784, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science at CSULB

#13 in overall quality

California State University - Northridge did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in California ranking, coming in at #6. CSUN is a large school located in Northridge, California that handed out 6 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

CSUN also made our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #13. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Northridge are $17,955, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Political Science at California State University - Northridge

#7

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
#7 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, San Diego State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in California list. San Diego State University is a public institution located in San Diego, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 12 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

SDSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Diego State University are $18,658, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science at SDSU

#8

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California
#11 in overall quality

San Francisco State University landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. San Francisco State University is located in San Francisco, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 8 masters’s poly sci degrees to qualified students.

SFSU also made our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #11. Average graduate tuition and fees at SFSU are $17,944, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full San Francisco State University Political Science Report

#15 in overall quality

California State University - Chico did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in California ranking, coming in at #9. California State University - Chico is located in Chico, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 5 masters’s poly sci degrees to qualified students.

Chico State also took the #15 spot in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Chico are $18,802, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Political Science at Chico State

#10

University of California - Riverside

Riverside, California
#8 in overall quality

University of California - Riverside did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in California ranking, coming in at #10. University of California - Riverside is a public institution located in Riverside, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 7 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UCR also made our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #8. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UCR are $28,686.

Full University of California - Riverside Political Science Report

#12 in overall quality

California State University - Sacramento landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. This large school is located in Sacramento, California, and it awarded 6 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

Sac State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Sacramento are $18,356, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science at California State University - Sacramento

#14 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, California State University - Fullerton did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in California list. Cal State Fullerton is located in Fullerton, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 masters’s poly sci degrees to qualified students.

Cal State Fullerton did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State Fullerton are $17,892, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Political Science at Cal State Fullerton

#16 in overall quality

California State University - Los Angeles came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in California ranking. Cal State LA is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 10 masters’s poly sci degrees to qualified students.

Cal State LA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State LA are $17,723, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Political Science at Cal State LA

#14

University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California
#9 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in California ranking, coming in at #14. UC Santa Cruz is a fairly large public school situated in Santa Cruz, California. It awarded 6 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Santa Cruz not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Santa Cruz are $28,952, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of California - Santa Cruz Political Science Report

#17 in overall quality

University of California - Merced did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in California ranking, coming in at #15. Merced, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s poly sci degrees to 5 students in 2019-2020.

UC Merced also took the #17 spot in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Merced are $43,854, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UC Merced Political Science Report

#16

Claremont Graduate University

Claremont, California
#6 in overall quality

With a ranking of #16, Claremont Graduate University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in California list. Claremont Graduate University is located in Claremont, California and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 masters’s poly sci degrees to qualified students.

Claremont Graduate University also made our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #6. Average graduate tuition and fees at Claremont Graduate University are $36,380, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science at Claremont Graduate University

#17

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#1 in overall quality

With a ranking of #17, Stanford University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in California list. Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Stanford, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 11 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Stanford also made our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in California” list, coming in at #1. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford University are $55,011.

Read more about Political Science at Stanford University

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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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