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2023 Best Value Colleges for Political Science & Government (Income $30-$48k) in the Far Western US Region

82 Ranked Colleges
10,438 Degrees Awarded
$8,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Political Science Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Political Science Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking - to help you make that 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.

This year’s “Best Value Political Science Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 82 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.

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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 the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Political Science Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for far western us region political science students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Political Science & Government (Income $30-$48k) 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 $30-$48k. Stanford, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s political science degrees to 86 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our far western us region political science students whose families make $30-$48k list, Stanford has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Stanford University is $1,581 for far western us region political science students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Stanford University Political Science & Government Report

2
Claremont McKenna crest
Claremont McKenna College
Claremont, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Claremont McKenna College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Claremont, California, and it awarded 38 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.

Claremont McKenna also made our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #2. The estimated yearly cost for Claremont McKenna is $8,693 for Far Western US Region Political Science students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. 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. 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 Claremont McKenna College

3

Out of the 82 schools in the Best Value Political Science Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Washington - Seattle Campus landed the #3 spot on the list. This large school is located in Seattle, Washington, and it awarded 423 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.

UW Seattle also took the #6 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $6,399 for Far Western US Region Political Science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UW Seattle.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at UW Seattle

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Berkeley. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Political Science Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Berkeley, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s political science degrees to 537 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Berkeley, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UC Berkeley is $9,999 for Far Western US Region Political Science students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 96%.

Read more about Political Science & Government at UC Berkeley

5

Out of the 82 schools in the Best Value Political Science Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Los Angeles landed the #5 spot on the list. UCLA is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 713 ’s political science degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCLA, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Los Angeles is $9,891 for far western us region political science students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of California - Los Angeles 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 $30-$48k list. Pomona is a small school located in Claremont, California that handed out 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. The yearly cost to attend Pomona College is $6,239 for far western us region political science students whose families make $30-$48k.

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. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Full Pomona College Political Science & Government Report

7

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 $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. California State University - Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 102 ’s political science degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Cal State LA is $2,701 for Far Western US Region Political Science students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% 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 full report on Political Science & Government at Cal State LA

8

With a ranking of #8, University of California - San Diego did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of California - San Diego is a large public school situated in La Jolla, California. It awarded 469 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCSD, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - San Diego is $11,176 for far western us region political science students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, 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%.

Full University of California - San Diego Political Science & Government Report

9

University of California - Davis ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of California - Davis is located in Davis, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 328 ’s political science degrees to qualified students.

UC Davis also made our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #8. It costs about $11,598 for far western us region political science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of California - Davis.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.5% 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%.

Full University of California - Davis Political Science & Government Report

10

University of California - Irvine came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UC 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.

UC Irvine also made our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #9. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Irvine is $8,449 for far western us region political science students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, 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 more about Political Science & Government at University of California - Irvine

11
Pitzer crest
Pitzer College
Claremont, California

Pitzer College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Pitzer is a private not-for-profit institution located in Claremont, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 14 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Pitzer not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Pitzer College is $17,181 for Far Western US Region Political Science students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full Pitzer College Political Science & Government Report

12

California State University - Fresno did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #12. Fresno State is located in Fresno, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 54 ’s political science degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Fresno is $4,655 for far western us region political science students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.

Read more about Political Science & Government at California State University - Fresno

13

University of California - Riverside came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of California - Riverside is a large school located in Riverside, California that handed out 282 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.

UCR also made our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #14. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Riverside is $8,193 for Far Western US Region Political Science students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, 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%.

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

14

University of California - Santa Barbara ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Santa Barbara, California, and it awarded 328 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.

UCSB also took the #12 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $11,606 for Far Western US Region Political Science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UCSB.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Political Science & Government at UCSB

15
SRJC crest
Santa Rosa Junior College
Santa Rosa, California

Santa Rosa Junior College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #15. This fairly large school is located in Santa Rosa, California, and it awarded 28 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $5,800 for far western us region political science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Santa Rosa Junior College.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at SRJC

16

California State University - Long Beach came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. CSULB is a large public school situated in Long Beach, California. It awarded 200 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $7,573 for far western us region political science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend CSULB.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full CSULB Political Science & Government Report

17

California State University - Fullerton did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #17. Cal State Fullerton is a public institution located in Fullerton, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 131 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend California State University - Fullerton is $5,821 for far western us region political science students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at California State University - Fullerton

18

California State University - Northridge did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #18. This large school is located in Northridge, California, and it awarded 214 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Northridge is $7,103 for far western us region political science students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

California State University - Sacramento ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Sac State is a large public school situated in Sacramento, California. It awarded 167 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Sac State is $9,055 for Far Western US Region Political Science students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Sac State

20
USC crest
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California

University of Southern California did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #20. University of Southern California is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 150 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.

USC also made our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #4. It costs about $17,345 for far western us region political science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Southern California.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. 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 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 University of Southern California Political Science & Government Report

21
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

San Diego State University landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. San Diego State University is a large school located in San Diego, California that handed out 162 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.

SDSU also took the #22 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for San Diego State University is $9,274 for Far Western US Region Political Science students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Political Science & Government at San Diego State University

22

With a ranking of #22, 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 $30-$48k list. University of California - Santa Cruz is a fairly large school located in Santa Cruz, California that handed out 201 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our far western us region political science students whose families make $30-$48k list, UC Santa Cruz has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $12,049 for far western us region political science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of California - Santa Cruz.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at UC Santa Cruz

23

California State University - San Bernardino did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #23. San Bernardino, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s political science degrees to 56 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $6,613 for Far Western US Region Political Science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend California State University - San Bernardino.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Political Science & Government at CSUSB

24

California State University - Bakersfield landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. CSUB is a fairly large school located in Bakersfield, California that handed out 27 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend California State University - Bakersfield is $6,046 for Far Western US Region Political Science students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at California State University - Bakersfield

25

With a ranking of #25, California State University - Stanislaus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Turlock, California, this fairly large public school handed out 20 degrees to qualified ’s political science students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $4,903 for Far Western US Region Political Science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Stan State.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Stan State

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