by our College Data Analytics Team
[Political Science](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/political-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong political science education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 20 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for political science students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the political science degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in political science, no school beat Berea College this year. Berea College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Berea. Students from in state pay about $51,658 in tuition and fees. Political Science graduates carry a median of $5,801 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $31,428. That is a strong return on a $5,801 median debt. The acceptance rate is 19%.
Students looking for strong value in political science will find it at Northern Kentucky University, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,088, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $52,565. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Murray State University one of the best values for political science. Murray State University is a large public school located in the town of Murray. In-state tuition and fees average $9,900, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Students borrow a median of $23,420 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Murray State University generally make around $48,423. That is a strong return on a $23,420 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Students looking for strong value in political science will find it at Eastern Kentucky University, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,320, compared with $21,230 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $21,498 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Eastern Kentucky University earn a median of $35,899 early in their careers. Set against $21,498 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Kentucky University admits about 78% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in political science will find it at Western Kentucky University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,652, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $23,294. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kentucky landed the #6 spot for political science value this year. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,502, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. Students borrow a median of $21,667 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $34,745. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Louisville earned the #7 position for value in political science this year. University Of Louisville is a very large public school located in the city of Louisville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,136, compared with $29,482 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $19,500. Early-career political science graduates make about $31,777. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Centre College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Set in the town of Danville, Centre College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $52,820 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,560 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Centre College generally make around $32,327. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.