2027 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
[Political Science](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/political-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 26 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value political science schools.
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2027 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in political science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Political Science Schools
Our analysis ranked Utah Valley University the best value for a degree in political science in the Rocky Mountains Region. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $21,413. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $36,857. That is a strong return on a $21,413 median debt.
Brigham Young University Idaho is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #2 spot this year. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800. Political Science graduates carry a median of $16,551 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Brigham Young University Idaho earn a median of $32,983 early in their careers. Set against $16,551 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in political science will find it at College Of Western Idaho, which ranked #3. Located in the rural area of Nampa, College Of Western Idaho is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,446 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,454 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $12,497 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from College Of Western Idaho generally make around $40,963.
Salt Lake Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,426, compared with $14,244 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $10,855 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Salt Lake Community College earn a median of $42,031 early in their careers. Set against $10,855 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Weber State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,557, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $19,176. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $53,920. Set against $19,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Colorado Denver placed #6 among the best values for political science. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,383, with out-of-state students paying around $29,391. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $21,066. Early-career political science graduates make about $52,262. That is a strong return on a $21,066 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Southern Utah University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Located in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,962, compared with $21,192 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,886 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Southern Utah University generally make around $44,998. That is a strong return on a $12,886 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wyoming landed the #8 spot for political science value this year. Set in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,768, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. Political Science graduates carry a median of $23,933 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $39,869. That is a strong return on a $23,933 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Utah State University earned the #9 position for value in political science this year. Located in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,560 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $17,581 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $38,317. That is a strong return on a $17,581 median debt. Utah State University admits about 92% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Provo earned the #10 position for value in political science this year. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,688. Students borrow a median of $11,745 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $47,020 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,745 median debt. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.
Idaho State University came in at #11 for value in political science this year. Located in the city of Pocatello, Idaho State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,610, with out-of-state students paying around $27,720. Political Science graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $40,988. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt.
University Of Idaho earned the #12 position for value in political science this year. University Of Idaho is a large public school located in the town of Moscow. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,084, while out-of-state students pay about $28,320. Students borrow a median of $21,643 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of University Of Idaho earn a median of $27,881 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of Utah earned the #13 position for value in political science this year. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Students borrow a median of $18,370 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $45,112 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,370 median debt. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver earned the #14 position for value in political science this year. Set in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,124 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,684. Political Science graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $39,920. Set against $23,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Mesa State College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Mesa State College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Junction. In-state tuition and fees average $9,927, compared with $25,124 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $22,310 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $43,617. That is a strong return on a $22,310 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs landed the #16 spot for political science value this year. University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a large public school located in the city of Colorado Springs. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,906, while out-of-state students pay about $25,039. Political Science graduates carry a median of $17,625 in student loans. Political Science graduates of University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs earn a median of $37,295 early in their careers. Set against $17,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Montana came in at #17 for value in political science this year. Set in the city of Missoula, The University Of Montana is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,552 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,671. Political Science graduates carry a median of $21,173 in student loans. Political Science graduates of The University Of Montana earn a median of $38,094 early in their careers. Set against $21,173 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Fort Lewis College came in at #18 for value in political science this year. Located in the town of Durango, Fort Lewis College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,958, while out-of-state students pay about $21,526. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $18,888. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Fort Lewis College generally make around $30,676. Set against $18,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fort Lewis College admits about 77% of applicants.
The College Of Idaho landed the #19 spot for political science value this year. The College Of Idaho is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Caldwell. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,845. Students borrow a median of $23,789 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $30,968. Set against $23,789 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The College Of Idaho admits about 49% of applicants.
Colorado State University Fort Collins earned the #20 position for value in political science this year. Located in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,373, compared with $35,061 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $36,324. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Boise State University placed #21 among the best values for political science. Set in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,048, compared with $27,788 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $21,500. Early-career political science graduates make about $32,650. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Boise State University admits about 87% of applicants.
Montana State University earned the #22 position for value in political science this year. Located in the city of Bozeman, Montana State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,460, while out-of-state students pay about $33,287. Students borrow a median of $20,540 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Montana State University generally make around $35,476. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Montana State University admits about 82% of applicants.
Carroll College earned the #23 position for value in political science this year. Located in the city of Helena, Carroll College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $41,484 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $24,912. Political Science graduates of Carroll College earn a median of $40,797 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
University Of Colorado Boulder ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Set in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,214, with out-of-state students paying around $42,970. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Colorado Boulder generally make around $39,954. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Colorado Boulder admits about 78% of applicants.
Colorado College came in at #25 for value in political science this year. Set in the city of Colorado Springs, Colorado College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $70,734. Students borrow a median of $17,921 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of Colorado College earn a median of $37,342 early in their careers. Set against $17,921 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Colorado College admits about 18% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 26 Best Value Political Science Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s political science value ranking:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 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.
