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2023 Best Value Colleges for Political Science & Government (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region

82 Ranked Colleges
10,438 Degrees Awarded
$7,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Political Science Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Political Science Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2020-2021, 49,282 people earned their degree in political science and government, making the major the 20th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, political science and government graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $34,387 and had an average of $23,175 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Far Western US region, there were 10,438 political science and government graduates with average earnings and debt of $33,274 and $19,921 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Political Science Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 82 colleges that offer a degree 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.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the political science and government program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Political Science Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college decision.

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. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Political Science Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Political Science Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Political Science & Government (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region

1
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Stanford University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Political Science Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Stanford, California, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 86 degrees to qualified ’s political science students in 2020-2021.

Stanford not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $1,233 for far western us region political science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Stanford University.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.5% 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 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full Stanford Political Science & Government Report

2
Claremont McKenna crest
Claremont McKenna College
Claremont, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Claremont McKenna College. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Political Science Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Claremont McKenna is a private not-for-profit institution located in Claremont, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 38 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Claremont McKenna also took the #2 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Claremont McKenna is $5,387 for Far Western US Region 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 87%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% 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%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full Claremont McKenna College Political Science & Government Report

3

Out of the 82 schools in the Best Value Political Science Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Berkeley landed the #3 spot on the list. University of California - Berkeley is located in Berkeley, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 537 ’s political science degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our far western us region political science students whose families make $0-$30k list, UC Berkeley has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UC Berkeley is $8,450 for far western us region political science students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% 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%.

Full UC Berkeley Political Science & Government Report

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Los Angeles. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Political Science Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s political science degrees to 713 students in 2020-2021.

UCLA also made our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #5. The estimated yearly cost for UCLA is $9,037 for Far Western US Region Political Science students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad 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%.

Read more about Political Science & Government at UCLA

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Washington - Seattle Campus. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Political Science Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k. University of Washington - Seattle Campus is located in Seattle, Washington and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 423 ’s political science degrees to qualified students.

UW Seattle also took the #6 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Washington - Seattle Campus is $5,194 for far western us region political science students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Washington - Seattle Campus Political Science & Government Report

6
Pomona crest
Pomona College
Claremont, California

With a ranking of #6, Pomona College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Pomona College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Claremont, California. It awarded 28 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.

Pomona also took the #7 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $8,629 for Far Western US Region Political Science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Pomona.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full Pomona Political Science & Government Report

7

University of California - San Diego came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of California - San Diego is a public institution located in La Jolla, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 469 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UCSD did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - San Diego is $9,823 for Far Western US Region Political Science students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad 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 University of California - San Diego

8

University of California - Davis landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UC Davis is a large school located in Davis, California that handed out 328 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Davis not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UC Davis is $10,006 for far western us region political science students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at University of California - Davis

9

University of California - Irvine landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of California - Irvine is located in Irvine, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 361 ’s political science degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our far western us region political science students whose families make $0-$30k list, UC Irvine has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UC Irvine is $6,540 for far western us region political science students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full UC Irvine Political Science & Government Report

10

California State University - Los Angeles did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 102 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $1,887 for far western us region political science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Cal State LA.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Cal State LA

11

University of California - Santa Barbara ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Santa Barbara, California, this large public school awarded 328 degrees to qualified ’s political science students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCSB, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $10,568 for far western us region political science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of California - Santa Barbara.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, 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 91%.

Full UCSB Political Science & Government Report

12

With a ranking of #12, University of California - Riverside did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UCR is located in Riverside, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 282 ’s political science degrees to qualified students.

UCR also took the #14 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UCR is $6,810 for Far Western US Region Political Science students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% 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 school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at University of California - Riverside

13
USC crest
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California

University of Southern California ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s political science degrees to 150 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at USC, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $17,287 for far western us region political science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Southern California.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full USC Political Science & Government Report

14

California State University - Fullerton did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. California State University - Fullerton is a large public school situated in Fullerton, California. It awarded 131 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $4,590 for far western us region political science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Cal State Fullerton.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% 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 school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Cal State Fullerton

15

California State University - Long Beach did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #15. California State University - Long Beach is a public institution located in Long Beach, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 200 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for CSULB is $6,663 for Far Western US Region Political Science students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at CSULB

16

With a ranking of #16, California State University - Fresno did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Fresno, California, this large public school handed out 54 degrees to qualified ’s political science students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Fresno State is $3,859 for Far Western US Region Political Science students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.2%, 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 Fresno State

17

California State University - Sacramento landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Sacramento, California, this large public school awarded 167 degrees to qualified ’s political science students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Sacramento is $8,163 for Far Western US Region Political Science students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% 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%.

Full Sac State Political Science & Government Report

18

California State University - Northridge landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. CSUN is a large school located in Northridge, California that handed out 214 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Northridge is $6,266 for Far Western US Region Political Science students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% 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 California State University - Northridge

19
SRJC crest
Santa Rosa Junior College
Santa Rosa, California

With a ranking of #19, Santa Rosa Junior College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Santa Rosa, California, and it awarded 28 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $5,728 for far western us region political science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend SRJC.

Full Santa Rosa Junior College Political Science & Government Report

20
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

With a ranking of #20, San Diego State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in San Diego, California, this large public school awarded 162 degrees to qualified ’s political science students in 2020-2021.

SDSU also took the #22 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SDSU is $7,169 for far western us region political science students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% 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 89%.

Read more about Political Science & Government at SDSU

21

With a ranking of #21, University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UC Santa Cruz is a public institution located in Santa Cruz, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 201 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Santa Cruz not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $11,038 for Far Western US Region Political Science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of California - Santa Cruz.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Political Science & Government at UC Santa Cruz

22
Wazzu crest
Washington State University
Pullman, Washington

With a ranking of #22, Washington State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Washington State University is located in Pullman, Washington and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 115 ’s political science degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Wazzu is $7,689 for Far Western US Region Political Science students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% 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 Wazzu

23

California State University - San Bernardino landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in San Bernardino, California, and it awarded 56 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for California State University - San Bernardino is $5,985 for far western us region political science students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Full CSUSB Political Science & Government Report

24
UO crest
University of Oregon
Eugene, Oregon

University of Oregon ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Eugene, Oregon, and it awarded 215 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.

UO also made our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #16. It costs about $13,666 for far western us region political science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UO.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% 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 UO

25
Oxy crest
Occidental College
Los Angeles, California

With a ranking of #25, Occidental College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Oxy is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 35 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.

Oxy also made our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #17. The estimated yearly cost for Oxy is $14,452 for Far Western US Region Political Science students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergraduate 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 impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Occidental College

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