2027 Best Value Political Science Schools in Minnesota
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 13 schools to find the best return on investment for political science students.
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2027 Best Value Political Science Schools in Minnesota
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
For return on investment in political science, no school beat Bemidji State University this year. Located in the town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,237 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $25,819. Political Science graduates of Bemidji State University earn a median of $48,984 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,819 median debt. Bemidji State University admits about 56% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Political Science graduates carry a median of $20,465 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $40,208. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
A rank of #3 makes Saint Cloud State University one of the best values for political science. Saint Cloud State University is a large public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,245. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $22,908. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Saint Cloud State University generally make around $28,991. Set against $22,908 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Cloud State University admits about 95% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in political science will find it at Winona State University, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,576 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,308. Political Science graduates carry a median of $25,875 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Winona State University earn a median of $35,631 early in their careers. Set against $25,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Duluth came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. University Of Minnesota Duluth is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Duluth. In-state tuition and fees average $14,608, with out-of-state students paying around $20,134. Political Science graduates carry a median of $20,089 in student loans. Political Science graduates of University Of Minnesota Duluth earn a median of $38,942 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,089 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Minnesota State University Moorhead came in at #6 for value in political science this year. Set in the suburb of Moorhead, Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,428. Political Science graduates carry a median of $22,125 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Minnesota State University Moorhead earn a median of $33,220 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Minnesota State University Moorhead admits about 59% of applicants.
Minnesota State University Mankato earned the #7 position for value in political science this year. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,942. Students borrow a median of $25,460 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Minnesota State University Mankato generally make around $53,088. That is a strong return on a $25,460 median debt. Minnesota State University Mankato admits about 88% of applicants.
Gustavus Adolphus College came in at #8 for value in political science this year. Gustavus Adolphus College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Saint Peter. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,076. Political Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Gustavus Adolphus College earn a median of $38,463 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
St Olaf College came in at #9 for value in political science this year. Set in the town of Northfield, St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,760. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from St Olaf College generally make around $30,953. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Concordia College At Moorhead earned the #10 position for value in political science this year. Concordia College At Moorhead is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Moorhead. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,170. Political Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $27,466. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Saint Johns University came in at #11 for value in political science this year. Set in the rural area of Collegeville, Saint Johns University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $55,816 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $27,000. Early-career political science graduates make about $20,939. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota landed the #12 spot for political science value this year. Set in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $54,398 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,750 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of University Of St Thomas Minnesota earn a median of $34,775 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Macalester College placed #13 among the best values for political science. Macalester College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,104. Political Science graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $39,439. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 28%.
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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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.
