2027 Best Value Political Science Schools in District of Columbia

[Political Science](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/political-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 6 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value political science schools.
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2027 Best Value Political Science Schools in District of Columbia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in political science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Political Science Schools
University Of The District Of Columbia earned the #1 spot for value among political science schools in District of Columbia. Set in the city of Washington, University Of The District Of Columbia is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,662, while out-of-state students pay about $12,514. Political Science graduates carry a median of $36,562 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of The District Of Columbia generally make around $49,935. That is a strong return on a $36,562 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Catholic University Of America one of the best values for political science. Located in the city of Washington, Catholic University Of America is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,378. Political Science graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Catholic University Of America earn a median of $44,617 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Catholic University Of America admits about 83% of applicants.
George Washington University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,710. Political Science graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $62,004. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 47%.
Students looking for strong value in political science will find it at Georgetown University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,089. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $16,500. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Georgetown University generally make around $64,297. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgetown University admits about 13% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at American University earned it the #5 place for political science. Located in the city of Washington, American University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $58,771 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of American University earn a median of $53,411 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. American University admits about 62% of applicants.
Howard University landed the #6 spot for political science value this year. Set in the city of Washington, Howard University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,810. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Howard University generally make around $31,897. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 41% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.