2027 Best Value Political Science Schools in New Jersey
[Political Science](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/political-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong political science education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 11 schools to find the best return on investment for political science students.
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2027 Best Value Political Science Schools in New Jersey
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
Princeton University earned the #1 spot for value among political science schools in New Jersey. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. Students from in state pay about $62,688 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $63,317. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Students looking for strong value in political science will find it at Montclair State University, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,912, compared with $26,022 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $26,704. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Kean University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Kean University is a large public school located in the suburb of Union. In-state tuition and fees average $14,299, with out-of-state students paying around $22,446. Political Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Kean University earn a median of $30,436 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in political science will find it at Rutgers University Camden, which ranked #4. Rutgers University Camden is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Camden. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,764, while out-of-state students pay about $37,276. Students borrow a median of $24,188 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of Rutgers University Camden earn a median of $39,723 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rutgers University Camden admits about 66% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Rutgers University Newark earned it the #5 place for political science. Set in the city of Newark, Rutgers University Newark is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,250 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $36,762. Students borrow a median of $24,188 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $44,285. That is a strong return on a $24,188 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey placed #6 among the best values for political science. The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a large public school located in the rural area of Galloway. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,266, with out-of-state students paying around $24,524. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $21,675. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey generally make around $30,891. Set against $21,675 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Rowan University came in at #7 for value in political science this year. Located in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,574, with out-of-state students paying around $26,932. Students borrow a median of $24,265 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Rowan University generally make around $26,042. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rowan University admits about 78% of applicants.
Rutgers University New Brunswick landed the #8 spot for political science value this year. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. In-state tuition and fees average $17,929, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Political Science graduates carry a median of $24,188 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $44,285. That is a strong return on a $24,188 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
The College Of New Jersey came in at #9 for value in political science this year. Located in the suburb of Ewing, The College Of New Jersey is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $19,632 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,752 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $25,625 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $40,229. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Monmouth University placed #10 among the best values for political science. Set in the suburb of West Long Branch, Monmouth University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $46,552 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of Monmouth University earn a median of $30,366 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Seton Hall University placed #11 among the best values for political science. Located in the suburb of South Orange, Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $53,170. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of Seton Hall University earn a median of $28,138 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
