2027 Best Value Political Science Schools in South Carolina
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 10 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for political science students.
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2027 Best Value Political Science Schools in South Carolina
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
Our analysis ranked University Of South Carolina Upstate the best value for a degree in political science in South Carolina. Located in the suburb of Spartanburg, University Of South Carolina Upstate is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $11,588 in tuition and fees, compared with $23,090 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $30,000. Political Science graduates of University Of South Carolina Upstate earn a median of $35,798 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,000 median debt. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Coastal Carolina University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Set in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,640, compared with $29,628 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Coastal Carolina University generally make around $29,924. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Winthrop University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Located in the city of Rock Hill, Winthrop University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,678, while out-of-state students pay about $28,676. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Winthrop University generally make around $21,165. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Winthrop University admits about 79% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Wofford College one of the best values for political science. Located in the city of Spartanburg, Wofford College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,005. Students borrow a median of $26,825 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of Wofford College earn a median of $34,277 early in their careers. Set against $26,825 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
College Of Charleston came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Set in the city of Charleston, College Of Charleston is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,978, compared with $38,296 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $26,000. Early-career political science graduates make about $35,398. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Presbyterian College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Located in the town of Clinton, Presbyterian College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $44,910. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of Presbyterian College earn a median of $34,712 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Citadel Military College Of South Carolina earned the #7 position for value in political science this year. Located in the city of Charleston, Citadel Military College Of South Carolina is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,570 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,508. Political Science graduates carry a median of $20,817 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Citadel Military College Of South Carolina generally make around $44,992. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 23% of applicants are accepted.
Clemson University came in at #8 for value in political science this year. Located in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,554, while out-of-state students pay about $40,866. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $28,041. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.
University Of South Carolina Columbia ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. In-state tuition and fees average $12,688, with out-of-state students paying around $36,298. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $25,000. Early-career political science graduates make about $33,157. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Furman University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Located in the suburb of Greenville, Furman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $59,770. Political Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $34,473. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.
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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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
