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2022 Best Value Colleges for Political Science & Government (Income $0-$30k) in Tennessee

12 Ranked Colleges
693 Degrees Awarded
$10,500 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Political Science Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Political Science Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

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 Tennessee, there were 693 political science and government graduates with average earnings and debt of $29,388 and $22,152 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Political Science Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 12 colleges that offer a degree in political science and government. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great political science and government programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the political science and government program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Political Science Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Political Science Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for tennessee political science students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 12 Best Value Colleges for Political Science & Government (Income $0-$30k) in Tennessee

#1

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee

Out of the 12 schools in the Best Value Political Science Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Vanderbilt University landed the #1 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Nashville, Tennessee, and it awarded 105 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Vanderbilt also made our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Tennessee” list, coming in at #1. It costs about $3,156 for Tennessee Political Science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Vanderbilt University.

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. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. The student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Vanderbilt University Political Science & Government Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend The University of Tennessee - Knoxville. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Political Science Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k. UT Knoxville is a large public school situated in Knoxville, Tennessee. It awarded 170 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Knoxville also made our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Tennessee” list, coming in at #4. The estimated yearly cost for The University of Tennessee - Knoxville is $10,224 for tennessee political science students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 4.3% 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 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at UT Knoxville

#3

Middle Tennessee State University

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Out of the 12 schools in the Best Value Political Science Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Middle Tennessee State University landed the #3 spot on the list. This large school is located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and it awarded 57 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Middle Tennessee State University, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Tennessee” ranking. It costs about $8,919 for tennessee political science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Middle Tennessee State University.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Middle Tennessee State University

#4

Rhodes College

Memphis, Tennessee

Out of the 12 schools in the Best Value Political Science Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Rhodes College landed the #4 spot on the list. Rhodes College is a small school located in Memphis, Tennessee that handed out 23 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Rhodes College also took the #3 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Rhodes College is $16,870 for Tennessee Political Science students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The 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 school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Rhodes College Political Science & Government Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. Chattanooga, Tennessee is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s political science degrees to 48 students in 2019-2020.

UT Chattanooga did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Tennessee” list. The yearly cost to attend The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga is $8,108 for Tennessee Political Science students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Political Science & Government at UT Chattanooga

The University of Tennessee - Martin came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. The University of Tennessee - Martin is a medium-sized public school situated in Martin, Tennessee. It awarded 9 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Martin also took the #9 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UT Martin is $7,524 for tennessee political science students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Political Science & Government at The University of Tennessee - Martin

#7

Tennessee Technological University

Cookeville, Tennessee

Tennessee Technological University landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Cookeville, Tennessee is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s political science degrees to 28 students in 2019-2020.

Tennessee Tech University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Tennessee” list. The estimated yearly cost for Tennessee Tech University is $11,641 for Tennessee Political Science students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Tennessee Tech University

#8

University of Memphis

Memphis, Tennessee

University of Memphis landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UofM is a large public school situated in Memphis, Tennessee. It awarded 50 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

UofM also took the #7 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Tennessee” ranking. It costs about $10,256 for Tennessee Political Science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Memphis.

Read more about Political Science & Government at UofM

#9

East Tennessee State University

Johnson City, Tennessee

East Tennessee State University landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. East Tennessee State University is located in Johnson City, Tennessee and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 35 ’s political science degrees to qualified students.

ETSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Tennessee” list. The yearly cost to attend ETSU is $10,632 for tennessee political science students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Political Science & Government at East Tennessee State University

#10

Tennessee State University

Nashville, Tennessee

Tennessee State University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Nashville, Tennessee is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s political science degrees to 23 students in 2019-2020.

Tennessee State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Tennessee” list. The yearly cost to attend Tennessee State University is $11,015 for tennessee political science students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Tennessee State University

#11

Austin Peay State University

Clarksville, Tennessee

Austin Peay State University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k list. Austin Peay State University is a public institution located in Clarksville, Tennessee. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 32 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our tennessee political science students whose families make $0-$30k list, Austin Peay State University has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Tennessee” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Austin Peay State University is $10,909 for tennessee political science students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Austin Peay State University

Sewanee - The University of the South came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools in Tennessee For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Sewanee is a private not-for-profit institution located in Sewanee, Tennessee. The school has a small population, and it awarded 37 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Sewanee did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Tennessee” list. The estimated yearly cost for Sewanee is $17,277 for Tennessee Political Science students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.2%, 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 87%. The student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Sewanee - The University of the South

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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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