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2022 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Political Science & Government (Income $0-$30k) in the Southeast Region

166 Ranked Colleges
10,643 Degrees Awarded
$5,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Political Science Schools for a Bachelor's in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Political Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2019-2020, 48,597 people earned their degree in political science and government, making the major the 21st most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, political science and government graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $33,977 and had an average of $22,822 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Southeast region, there were 11,230 political science and government graduates with average earnings and debt of $32,775 and $23,806 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 10,643 political science and government graduates with average earnings and debt of $36,277 and $25,415 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Political Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 166 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in political science and government. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent political science and government programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the political science and government program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

The political science school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Political Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k”.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Political Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Political Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Political Science & Government (Income $0-$30k) in the Southeast Region

#1

Duke University

Durham, North Carolina

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Duke University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Duke is located in Durham, North Carolina and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 131 bachelors’s political science degrees to qualified students.

Duke also took the #1 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Duke University is $-7,808 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Political Science students whose families make $0-$30k. A negative average net price may seem strange, but it generally means that financial aid will more than cover the cost to attend the school.

With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The low student loan default rate of 0.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Duke

#2

Washington and Lee University

Lexington, Virginia

Out of the 166 schools in the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Washington and Lee University landed the #2 spot on the list. This small school is located in Lexington, Virginia, and it awarded 53 bachelors’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southeast region bachelor’s degree political science students whose families make $0-$30k list, Washington and Lee has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $1,612 for southeast region bachelor’s degree political science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Washington and Lee University.

The low student loan default rate of 0.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Washington and Lee University Political Science & Government Report

#3

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Vanderbilt University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 97 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s political science students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southeast region bachelor’s degree political science students whose families make $0-$30k list, Vanderbilt has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Vanderbilt University is $3,156 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Political Science students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Vanderbilt

#4

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Florida. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UF is a large school located in Gainesville, Florida that handed out 362 bachelors’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

UF did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Political Science & Government Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UF is $1,994 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Political Science students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%.

Read more about Political Science & Government at UF

#5

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Out of the 166 schools in the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill landed the #5 spot on the list. Chapel Hill, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s political science degrees to 339 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southeast region bachelor’s degree political science students whose families make $0-$30k list, UNC Chapel Hill has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UNC Chapel Hill is $4,026 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Political Science students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 1.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%.

Full UNC Chapel Hill Political Science & Government Report

#6

William & Mary

Williamsburg, Virginia

William & Mary ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. William & Mary is a public institution located in Williamsburg, Virginia. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 182 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at William & Mary, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for William & Mary is $4,711 for southeast region bachelor’s degree political science students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The low student loan default rate of 1.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at William & Mary

#7

Wake Forest University

Winston-Salem, North Carolina

Wake Forest University landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Wake Forest University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. It awarded 146 bachelors’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Wake Forest University, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Wake Forest University is $5,250 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Political Science students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 1.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Wake Forest University

#8

Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida

Florida State University landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Florida State is a large school located in Tallahassee, Florida that handed out 418 bachelors’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Florida State also made our “Best Political Science & Government Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #20. It costs about $5,360 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Political Science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Florida State.

With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Florida State University

#9

Emory University

Atlanta, Georgia

With a ranking of #9, Emory University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Atlanta, Georgia, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 90 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s political science students in 2019-2020.

Emory not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Political Science & Government Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Emory University is $11,468 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Political Science students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 1.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Emory University Political Science & Government Report

#10

University of Richmond

University of Richmond, Virginia

With a ranking of #10, University of Richmond did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Richmond is a small school located in University of Richmond, Virginia that handed out 52 bachelors’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

URichmond also made our “Best Political Science & Government Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #10. The estimated yearly cost for URichmond is $9,112 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Political Science students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at URichmond

#11

University of Central Florida

Orlando, Florida

University of Central Florida ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Central Florida is a large public school situated in Orlando, Florida. It awarded 331 bachelors’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

UCF also claimed a top spot on our “Best Political Science & Government Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Political Science & Government Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $6,211 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Political Science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UCF.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%. The student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Political Science & Government at UCF

Florida International University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Florida International University is a large school located in Miami, Florida that handed out 292 bachelors’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for FIU is $5,002 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Political Science students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Florida International University

University of South Florida - Main Campus ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Tampa, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s political science degrees to 196 students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for USF Tampa is $3,950 for southeast region bachelor’s degree political science students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student loan default rate at the school is 4.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of South Florida - Main Campus Political Science & Government Report

#13

North Carolina State University

Raleigh, North Carolina

North Carolina State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. NC State is a large public school situated in Raleigh, North Carolina. It awarded 145 bachelors’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

NC State also took the #16 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for NC State is $7,285 for southeast region bachelor’s degree political science students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at NC State

#15

University of Georgia

Athens, Georgia

University of Georgia ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Georgia is a large public school situated in Athens, Georgia. It awarded 208 bachelors’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

UGA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Political Science & Government Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UGA is $7,541 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Political Science students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at UGA

#16

Citadel Military College of South Carolina

Charleston, South Carolina

With a ranking of #16, Citadel Military College of South Carolina did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. The Citadel is a small public school situated in Charleston, South Carolina. It awarded 49 bachelors’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

The Citadel excels when it comes to political science quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our “Best Political Science & Government Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $7,296 for southeast region bachelor’s degree political science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Citadel Military College of South Carolina.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Citadel Military College of South Carolina

#17

University of Virginia - Main Campus

Charlottesville, Virginia

With a ranking of #17, University of Virginia - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Virginia - Main Campus is a large school located in Charlottesville, Virginia that handed out 112 bachelors’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Virginia also took the #5 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $8,882 for southeast region bachelor’s degree political science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Virginia - Main Campus.

The low student loan default rate of 1.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at University of Virginia - Main Campus

#18

University of North Florida

Jacksonville, Florida

University of North Florida came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of North Florida is located in Jacksonville, Florida and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 103 bachelors’s political science degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for UNF is $5,097 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Political Science students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at UNF

#19

The University of West Florida

Pensacola, Florida

The University of West Florida came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UWF is a public institution located in Pensacola, Florida. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 24 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend UWF is $4,140 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Political Science students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full The University of West Florida Political Science & Government Report

#20

Virginia Tech

Blacksburg, Virginia

With a ranking of #20, Virginia Tech did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Virginia Tech is a large public school situated in Blacksburg, Virginia. It awarded 194 bachelors’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Virginia Tech also took the #12 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $11,138 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Political Science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Virginia Tech.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Virginia Tech

#21

Appalachian State University

Boone, North Carolina

Appalachian State University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Appalachian State is a large public school situated in Boone, North Carolina. It awarded 120 bachelors’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $7,169 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Political Science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Appalachian State.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Appalachian State

#22

Florida Atlantic University

Boca Raton, Florida

Florida Atlantic University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. FAU is a large school located in Boca Raton, Florida that handed out 152 bachelors’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Florida Atlantic University is $6,085 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Political Science students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Florida Atlantic University

#23

Florida Gulf Coast University

Fort Myers, Florida

Florida Gulf Coast University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Fort Myers, Florida is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s political science degrees to 40 students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $7,824 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Political Science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend FGCU.

Full Florida Gulf Coast University Political Science & Government Report

#24

American Public University System

Charles Town, West Virginia

With a ranking of #24, American Public University System did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Charles Town, West Virginia, and it awarded 60 bachelors’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

American Military University also claimed a top spot on our “Best Political Science & Government Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category. It costs about $10,013 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Political Science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend American Public University System.

With a freshman retention rate of 98%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full American Military University Political Science & Government Report

#25

University of Mississippi

University, Mississippi

University of Mississippi came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in University, Mississippi, and it awarded 102 bachelors’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Mississippi is $9,455 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Political Science students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Ole Miss

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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