2027 Best Value Political Science Schools in New York
[Political Science](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/political-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 48 schools to find the best return on investment for political science students.
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2027 Best Value Political Science Schools in New York
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in political science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Political Science Schools
For return on investment in political science, no school beat Cuny Hunter College this year. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $9,531. Political Science graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $35,154 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,531 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Bernard M Baruch College one of the best values for political science. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,464, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $12,000. Early-career political science graduates make about $31,005. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $16,274 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $29,577. Set against $16,274 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
Cuny Lehman College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $12,334. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $43,059. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Students looking for strong value in political science will find it at Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice, which ranked #5. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $14,820. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $35,828. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny City College placed #6 among the best values for political science. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $11,500. Political Science graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $29,823 early in their careers. Set against $11,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Queens College earned the #7 position for value in political science this year. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $34,863. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College landed the #8 spot for political science value this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,170, compared with $8,050 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,794 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earn a median of $30,111 early in their careers. Set against $8,794 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny College Of Staten Island ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Students borrow a median of $12,603 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $34,610. That is a strong return on a $12,603 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Suffolk County Community College placed #10 among the best values for political science. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,246 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $35,667 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,246 median debt.
Suny At Albany came in at #11 for value in political science this year. Set in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,601, with out-of-state students paying around $30,991. Political Science graduates carry a median of $22,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Suny At Albany generally make around $33,251. That is a strong return on a $22,750 median debt. Suny At Albany admits about 69% of applicants.
Niagara University landed the #12 spot for political science value this year. Located in the suburb of Niagara University, Niagara University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,345. Political Science graduates carry a median of $26,208 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Niagara University generally make around $51,918. That is a strong return on a $26,208 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Stony Brook University came in at #13 for value in political science this year. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,931 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,741. Students borrow a median of $19,406 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $36,480. Set against $19,406 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stony Brook University admits about 49% of applicants.
Suny College At Potsdam earned the #14 position for value in political science this year. Suny College At Potsdam is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Potsdam. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,768, compared with $18,678 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $26,540. Political Science graduates of Suny College At Potsdam earn a median of $32,485 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College At Potsdam admits about 78% of applicants.
Suny At Geneseo placed #15 among the best values for political science. Located in the town of Geneseo, Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,999, with out-of-state students paying around $19,569. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $27,814. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Brockport placed #16 among the best values for political science. Set in the town of Brockport, Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,752, compared with $15,822 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,370 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Suny College At Brockport generally make around $24,036. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Suny College At Plattsburgh placed #17 among the best values for political science. Set in the town of Plattsburgh, Suny College At Plattsburgh is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,035, compared with $18,945 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $24,106. Political Science graduates of Suny College At Plattsburgh earn a median of $29,164 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $22,943. Early-career political science graduates make about $61,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.
State University Of New York At New Paltz landed the #19 spot for political science value this year. Located in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,572, compared with $18,822 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $19,500. Early-career political science graduates make about $24,676. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. State University Of New York At New Paltz admits about 62% of applicants.
Suny At Binghamton placed #20 among the best values for political science. Located in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,567, while out-of-state students pay about $30,447. Political Science graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $37,194. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Oneonta ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Suny College At Oneonta is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Oneonta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,831, compared with $19,781 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $22,375. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Suny College At Oneonta generally make around $32,295. Set against $22,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
University At Buffalo ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,936, with out-of-state students paying around $31,536. Students borrow a median of $20,750 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $27,495. That is a strong return on a $20,750 median debt. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants.
Suny College At Cortland earned the #23 position for value in political science this year. Located in the town of Cortland, Suny College At Cortland is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,874, with out-of-state students paying around $18,784. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $24,138. Early-career political science graduates make about $29,143. Set against $24,138 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Le Moyne College placed #24 among the best values for political science. Located in the suburb of Syracuse, Le Moyne College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $40,330. Students borrow a median of $26,400 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $34,058. Set against $26,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Cornell University earned the #25 position for value in political science this year. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $69,314 in tuition and fees. Political Science graduates carry a median of $14,400 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $60,292. Set against $14,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Rest of the Top 48 Best Value Political Science Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for political science this year:
More Political Science Rankings
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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 · 48 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 48 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.
