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2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region

26 Ranked Colleges
104 Degrees Awarded
$20,800 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master's in the Southwest Region

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region” ranking is part of that endeavor.

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 Southwest region, there were 3,781 political science graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 104 political science graduates with average earnings and debt of $53,078 and $37,227 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region” ranking looked at 26 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in political science. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent political science programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the political science program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region

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

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Political Science in the Southwest Region

#2 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Texas A&M University - College Station. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region list. Texas A&M College Station is a large public school situated in College Station, Texas. It awarded 5 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

Texas A&M College Station also took the #2 spot in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A&M College Station are $22,743, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Political Science at Texas A&M College Station

#9 in overall quality

Out of the 26 schools in the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region that were part of this year’s ranking, University of North Texas landed the #2 spot on the list. Denton, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s poly sci degrees to 2 students in 2019-2020.

UNT also made our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #9. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Texas are $15,618, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of North Texas Political Science Report

#3 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend The University of Texas at Austin. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region. The University of Texas at Austin is a large school located in Austin, Texas that handed out 6 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree poly sci students list, UT Austin has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas at Austin are $22,886, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full The University of Texas at Austin Political Science Report

#4

Sam Houston State University

Huntsville, Texas
#15 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Sam Houston State University. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region list. Located in Huntsville, Texas, this large public school awarded 4 diplomas to qualified masters’s poly sci students in 2019-2020.

SHSU also made our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #15. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at SHSU are $15,704.

Read more about Political Science at Sam Houston State University

#5

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas
#11 in overall quality

Out of the 26 schools in the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Texas Tech University landed the #5 spot on the list. Texas Tech is a public institution located in Lubbock, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Texas Tech, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas Tech University are $17,530, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Political Science at Texas Tech

#6

University of Houston

Houston, Texas
#10 in overall quality

University of Houston did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region ranking, coming in at #6. UH is a public institution located in Houston, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 6 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UH did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UH are $18,689.

Read full report on Political Science at UH

#7

Texas State University

San Marcos, Texas
#13 in overall quality

Texas State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region ranking, coming in at #7. San Marcos, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s poly sci degrees to 7 students in 2019-2020.

Texas State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas State are $17,040, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Texas State University Political Science Report

#8

MSU Texas

Wichita Falls, Texas
#24 in overall quality

MSU Texas came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region ranking. Located in Wichita Falls, Texas, this medium-sized public school handed out 2 diplomas to qualified masters’s poly sci students in 2019-2020.

MSU Texas also made our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #24. Average graduate tuition and fees at MSU Texas are $7,935, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Political Science at MSU Texas

#21 in overall quality

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region ranking. Located in Edinburg, Texas, this large public school awarded 3 diplomas to qualified masters’s poly sci students in 2019-2020.

UT Rio Grande Valley did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley are $15,151.

Full UT Rio Grande Valley Political Science Report

#7 in overall quality

With a ranking of #10, University of Oklahoma Norman Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region list. Norman, Oklahoma is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s poly sci degrees to 2 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at University of Oklahoma, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus are $23,236, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus

#11

Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, Arizona
#14 in overall quality

Northern Arizona University landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region ranking. Flagstaff, Arizona is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s poly sci degrees to 2 students in 2019-2020.

NAU also took the #14 spot in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Northern Arizona University are $19,489.

Read full report on Political Science at NAU

#18 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, The University of Texas at Tyler did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region list. Located in Tyler, Texas, this medium-sized public school awarded 2 diplomas to qualified masters’s poly sci students in 2019-2020.

UT Tyler also made our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #18. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UT Tyler are $16,308.

Read more about Political Science at UT Tyler

#20 in overall quality

The University of Texas at El Paso landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region ranking. UTEP is located in El Paso, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 5 masters’s poly sci degrees to qualified students.

UTEP also took the #20 spot in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas at El Paso are $16,180, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Political Science at UTEP

#22 in overall quality

Texas A&M University - Commerce came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region ranking. Commerce, Texas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s poly sci degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

Texas A&M Commerce also took the #22 spot in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A&M Commerce are $14,549, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Political Science at Texas A&M University - Commerce

#12 in overall quality

With a ranking of #15, Oklahoma State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region list. OSU is a public institution located in Stillwater, Oklahoma. The school has a large population, and it awarded 4 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at OSU, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at OSU are $23,963, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Political Science at Oklahoma State University - Main Campus

#16

Texas Woman's University

Denton, Texas
#23 in overall quality

With a ranking of #16, Texas Woman’s University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region list. Located in Denton, Texas, this fairly large public school handed out 1 diplomas to qualified masters’s poly sci students in 2019-2020.

TWU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas Woman’s University are $14,962, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Texas Woman’s University Political Science Report

#4 in overall quality

With a ranking of #17, Arizona State University - Tempe did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region list. Arizona State University - Tempe is located in Tempe, Arizona and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 8 masters’s poly sci degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree poly sci students list, ASU - Tempe has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at ASU - Tempe are $27,048, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full ASU - Tempe Political Science Report

#5 in overall quality

The University of Texas at Dallas did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region ranking, coming in at #18. This large school is located in Richardson, Texas, and it awarded 12 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree poly sci students list, UT Dallas has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UT Dallas are $28,610.

Full UT Dallas Political Science Report

#19

University of New Mexico - Main Campus

Albuquerque, New Mexico
#19 in overall quality

University of New Mexico - Main Campus ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region list. University of New Mexico - Main Campus is a large school located in Albuquerque, New Mexico that handed out 1 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree poly sci students list, UNM has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of New Mexico - Main Campus are $19,890, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science at University of New Mexico - Main Campus

#16 in overall quality

With a ranking of #20, The University of Texas at Arlington did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region list. This large school is located in Arlington, Texas, and it awarded 7 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Arlington also made our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #16. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UT Arlington are $23,376.

Full UT Arlington Political Science Report

#17 in overall quality

The University of Texas at San Antonio ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region list. The University of Texas at San Antonio is a public institution located in San Antonio, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 4 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree poly sci students list, UTSA has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas at San Antonio are $25,807, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Political Science at UTSA

University of Central Oklahoma landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region ranking. This fairly large school is located in Edmond, Oklahoma, and it awarded 1 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Central Oklahoma are $17,913, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Political Science at UCO

#25 in overall quality

New Mexico State University - Main Campus ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region list. NMSU Main Campus is a fairly large school located in Las Cruces, New Mexico that handed out 2 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

NMSU Main Campus also took the #25 spot in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at NMSU Main Campus are $18,275, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Political Science at NMSU Main Campus

#24

University of Dallas

Irving, Texas
#8 in overall quality

University of Dallas did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region ranking, coming in at #24. Located in Irving, Texas, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 4 degrees to qualified masters’s poly sci students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UD, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UD are $33,750.

Read more about Political Science at UD

#25

Baylor University

Waco, Texas
#6 in overall quality

Baylor University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region ranking, coming in at #25. Baylor University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Waco, Texas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Baylor also made our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #6. Average graduate tuition and fees at Baylor are $36,936, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science at Baylor 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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