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2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k

58 Ranked Colleges
3,962 Degrees Awarded
$9,200 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

Political Science & Government is the 21st most popular major in the country with 48,597 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. 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 Southwest region, there were 3,962 political science and government graduates with average earnings and debt of $32,993 and $20,539 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 58 colleges that offered 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.

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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. 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 Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k

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

Top 26 Best Value Colleges for Political Science & Government (Income $30-$48k) in the Southwest Region

#1

Rice University

Houston, Texas

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Rice University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Rice is a private not-for-profit institution located in Houston, Texas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 46 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Rice also took the #2 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $7,534 for Southwest Region Political Science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Rice University.

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%. The student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%.

Full Rice University Political Science & Government Report

#2

Central New Mexico Community College

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Out of the 58 schools in the Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Central New Mexico Community College landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, this large public school handed out 19 diplomas to qualified ’s political science students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region political science students whose families make $30-$48k list, CNM has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Central New Mexico Community College is $3,626 for Southwest Region Political Science students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full CNM Political Science & Government Report

#3

Oklahoma City Community College

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Out of the 58 schools in the Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Oklahoma City Community College landed the #3 spot on the list. Oklahoma City Community College is a public institution located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 11 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

OCCC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $5,981 for southwest region political science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend OCCC.

Read more about Political Science & Government at OCCC

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k. UT Rio Grande Valley is located in Edinburg, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 59 ’s political science degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is $3,473 for Southwest Region Political Science students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 more about Political Science & Government at UT Rio Grande Valley

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Texas A&M International University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Texas A&M International University is a medium-sized school located in Laredo, Texas that handed out 24 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Texas A&M International University is $2,298 for southwest region political science students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Texas A&M International University

With a ranking of #6, University of North Texas did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of North Texas is located in Denton, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 123 ’s political science degrees to qualified students.

UNT also made our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #18. The estimated yearly cost for UNT is $9,082 for southwest region political science students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

Read full report on Political Science & Government at UNT

Texas A&M University - College Station came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. College Station, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s political science degrees to 303 students in 2019-2020.

Texas A&M College Station not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Texas A&M University - College Station is $13,270 for Southwest Region Political Science students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Texas A&M College Station

Arizona State University - Tempe landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Tempe, Arizona, and it awarded 408 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region political science students whose families make $30-$48k list, ASU - Tempe has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $8,921 for Southwest Region Political Science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend ASU - Tempe.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full ASU - Tempe Political Science & Government Report

With a ranking of #9, The University of Texas at Austin did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. The University of Texas at Austin is a large public school situated in Austin, Texas. It awarded 347 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region political science students whose families make $30-$48k list, UT Austin has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $13,575 for southwest region political science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UT Austin.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, 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 97%.

Full The University of Texas at Austin Political Science & Government Report

#10

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona

University of Arizona ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Tucson, Arizona, and it awarded 214 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Arizona did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $11,466 for Southwest Region Political Science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Arizona.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at University of Arizona

#11

University of Houston

Houston, Texas

University of Houston ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Houston, Texas, and it awarded 222 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

UH not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UH is $9,925 for southwest 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.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at University of Houston

#12

Texas Woman's University

Denton, Texas

Texas Woman’s University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. TWU is a fairly large public school situated in Denton, Texas. It awarded 33 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $7,050 for southwest region political science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Texas Woman’s University.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Texas Woman’s University

The University of Texas at San Antonio came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UTSA is a large school located in San Antonio, Texas that handed out 79 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend The University of Texas at San Antonio is $11,109 for southwest region political science students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at The University of Texas at San Antonio

#14

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas

With a ranking of #14, Texas Tech University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Lubbock, Texas, this large public school handed out 114 degrees to qualified ’s political science students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Texas Tech, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $13,326 for Southwest Region Political Science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Texas Tech University.

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

Full Texas Tech Political Science & Government Report

Oklahoma State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #15. Stillwater, Oklahoma is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s political science degrees to 56 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at OSU, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for OSU is $9,962 for Southwest Region Political Science students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at OSU

University of North Texas at Dallas landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Dallas, Texas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s political science degrees to 5 students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend University of North Texas at Dallas is $8,141 for southwest region political science students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full University of North Texas at Dallas Political Science & Government Report

The University of Texas of the Permian Basin came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Odessa, Texas, this medium-sized public school handed out 9 degrees to qualified ’s political science students in 2019-2020.

UT Permian Basin also took the #23 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UT Permian Basin is $10,221 for Southwest Region Political Science students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at The University of Texas of the Permian Basin

The University of Texas at Tyler landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UT Tyler is a public institution located in Tyler, Texas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 24 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $7,058 for Southwest Region Political Science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend The University of Texas at Tyler.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at The University of Texas at Tyler

The University of Texas at Dallas came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UT Dallas is a large public school situated in Richardson, Texas. It awarded 80 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Dallas also took the #7 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UT Dallas is $11,745 for Southwest Region Political Science students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low student loan default rate of 4.9% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at The University of Texas at Dallas

#20

East Central University

Ada, Oklahoma

East Central University landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This small school is located in Ada, Oklahoma, and it awarded 5 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for ECU is $8,259 for southwest region political science students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at ECU

Southeastern Oklahoma State University landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Southeastern Oklahoma State University is a medium-sized school located in Durant, Oklahoma that handed out 1 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $6,704 for Southwest Region Political Science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Southeastern Oklahoma State University.

Full Southeastern Oklahoma State University Political Science & Government Report

#22

Trinity University

San Antonio, Texas

Trinity University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Trinity University is a private not-for-profit institution located in San Antonio, Texas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 27 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Trinity U also made our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #8. The estimated yearly cost for Trinity University is $12,991 for southwest region political science students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 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. 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.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Trinity University

#23

Arizona State University - Skysong

Scottsdale, Arizona

Arizona State University - Skysong ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Scottsdale, Arizona is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s political science degrees to 159 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at ASU - Skysong, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Arizona State University - Skysong is $12,020 for Southwest Region Political Science students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Arizona State University - Skysong Political Science & Government Report

The University of Texas at El Paso ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in El Paso, Texas, this large public school awarded 52 diplomas to qualified ’s political science students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $7,427 for southwest region political science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend The University of Texas at El Paso.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at UTEP

#24

Texas State University

San Marcos, Texas

Texas State University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Texas State University is a large school located in San Marcos, Texas that handed out 140 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Texas State also took the #21 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $12,292 for southwest region political science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Texas State.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Texas State

#25

Angelo State University

San Angelo, Texas

With a ranking of #25, Angelo State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in San Angelo, Texas, this fairly large public school awarded 11 degrees to qualified ’s political science students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $11,516 for southwest region political science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Angelo State.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Angelo State

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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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