by our College Data Analytics Team
[Political Science](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/political-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 7 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value political science schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in political science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Utah Valley University the best value for a degree in political science in Utah. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $21,413. Early-career political science graduates make about $36,857. That is a strong return on a $21,413 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Salt Lake Community College one of the best values for political science. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,426, while out-of-state students pay about $14,244. Political Science graduates carry a median of $10,855 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Salt Lake Community College generally make around $42,031. That is a strong return on a $10,855 median debt.
Weber State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $19,176. Early-career political science graduates make about $53,920. That is a strong return on a $19,176 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southern Utah University earned it the #4 place for political science. Located in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,962 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,192. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $12,886. 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. Southern Utah University admits about 82% of applicants.
Utah State University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,560, with out-of-state students paying around $24,993. Students borrow a median of $17,581 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $38,317. Set against $17,581 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Utah State University admits about 92% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Provo came in at #6 for value in political science this year. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,688. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $11,745. 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.
University Of Utah ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $18,370 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $45,112. That is a strong return on a $18,370 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
This ranking is produced 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.