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2022 Best Value Colleges for Political Science & Government (Income $48-$75k) in the Southwest Region

58 Ranked Colleges
3,962 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. 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 in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k” 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 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 $48-$75k” 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.

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.

More Ways to Rank Political Science & Government Schools

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 Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k” 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. 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 in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k.

Top 26 Best Value Colleges for Political Science & Government (Income $48-$75k) 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 $48-$75k. Located in Houston, Texas, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 46 degrees to qualified ’s political science students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region political science students whose families make $48-$75k list, Rice has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Rice is $7,318 for Southwest Region Political Science students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%. 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.

Full Rice University Political Science & Government Report

#2

Central New Mexico Community College

Albuquerque, New Mexico

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Central New Mexico Community College. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. CNM is a public institution located in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The school has a large population, and it awarded 19 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

CNM not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Central New Mexico Community College is $5,676 for southwest region political science students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Central New Mexico Community College Political Science & Government Report

#3

Oklahoma City Community College

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Oklahoma City Community College. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Oklahoma City Community College is a fairly large public school situated in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. It awarded 11 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

OCCC also made our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #12. It costs about $8,503 for Southwest Region Political Science students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend OCCC.

Read more about Political Science & Government at OCCC

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Edinburg, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s political science degrees to 59 students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $6,405 for southwest region political science students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UT Rio Grande Valley.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Out of the 58 schools in the Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Texas A&M International University landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Laredo, Texas, this medium-sized public school awarded 24 diplomas to qualified ’s political science students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Texas A&M International University is $3,809 for Southwest Region Political Science students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Texas A&M International University Political Science & Government Report

The University of Texas at Austin landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UT Austin is a large school located in Austin, Texas that handed out 347 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UT Austin, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UT Austin is $15,757 for southwest region political science students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.

Full UT Austin Political Science & Government Report

#7

University of Houston

Houston, Texas

University of Houston landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UH is a large public school situated in Houston, Texas. It awarded 222 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region political science students whose families make $48-$75k list, UH has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $12,505 for Southwest Region Political Science students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Houston.

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

Read more about Political Science & Government at University of Houston

The University of Texas of the Permian Basin came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Odessa, Texas is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s political science degrees to 9 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 The University of Texas of the Permian Basin is $10,417 for southwest region political science students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full The University of Texas of the Permian Basin Political Science & Government Report

Texas A&M University - College Station landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k 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 also took the #3 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Texas A&M University - College Station is $18,810 for southwest region political science students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 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 Texas A&M College Station

With a ranking of #10, The University of Texas at Dallas did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. UT Dallas is a public institution located in Richardson, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 80 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Dallas also made our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #7. The estimated yearly cost for UT Dallas is $13,797 for southwest region political science students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

#11

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona

University of Arizona came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of Arizona is a large school located in Tucson, Arizona that handed out 214 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Arizona not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $15,399 for southwest region political science students whose families make $48-$75k 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.

Full University of Arizona Political Science & Government Report

With a ranking of #12, The University of Texas at San Antonio did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This large school is located in San Antonio, Texas, and it awarded 79 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $13,827 for Southwest Region Political Science students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UTSA.

Read more about Political Science & Government at UTSA

With a ranking of #13, University of North Texas at Dallas did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of North Texas at Dallas is located in Dallas, Texas and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 5 ’s political science degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for UNT Dallas is $9,127 for southwest region political science students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full UNT Dallas Political Science & Government Report

Arizona State University - Tempe did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #14. Arizona State University - Tempe is located in Tempe, Arizona and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 408 ’s political science degrees to qualified students.

ASU - Tempe also made our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #6. The estimated yearly cost for Arizona State University - Tempe is $14,033 for southwest region political science students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 Arizona State University - Tempe Political Science & Government Report

#15

Texas Woman's University

Denton, Texas

Texas Woman’s University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Texas Woman’s University is a fairly large public school situated in Denton, Texas. It awarded 33 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Texas Woman’s University is $9,629 for Southwest Region Political Science students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Texas Woman’s University

#16

Texas State University

San Marcos, Texas

Texas State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #16. San Marcos, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s political science degrees to 140 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region political science students whose families make $48-$75k list, Texas State has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $14,250 for Southwest Region Political Science students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Texas State.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Texas State

#17

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas

With a ranking of #17, Texas Tech University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Texas Tech is a large public school situated in Lubbock, Texas. It awarded 114 ’s political science degrees 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. The estimated yearly cost for Texas Tech University is $17,421 for southwest region political science students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

Full Texas Tech Political Science & Government Report

The University of Texas at Tyler did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #18. UT Tyler is a medium-sized public school situated in Tyler, Texas. It awarded 24 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $10,037 for southwest region political science students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UT Tyler.

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

The University of Texas at El Paso came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. El Paso, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s political science degrees to 52 students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend UTEP is $10,786 for Southwest Region Political Science students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full The University of Texas at El Paso Political Science & Government Report

#20

University of North Texas

Denton, Texas

University of North Texas landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This large school is located in Denton, Texas, and it awarded 123 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

UNT did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of North Texas is $15,377 for southwest region political science students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

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

Oklahoma State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #21. OSU is a large school located in Stillwater, Oklahoma that handed out 56 ’s political science degrees 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. It costs about $14,698 for Southwest Region Political Science students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend OSU.

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 more about Political Science & Government at Oklahoma State University - Main Campus

#22

Arizona State University - Skysong

Scottsdale, Arizona

Arizona State University - Skysong came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Scottsdale, Arizona, this large public school awarded 159 diplomas to qualified ’s political science students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region political science students whose families make $48-$75k list, ASU - Skysong has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $15,891 for Southwest Region Political Science students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend ASU - Skysong.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Arizona State University - Skysong

Southeastern Oklahoma State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #22. 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 $9,796 for southwest region political science students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Southeastern Oklahoma State University.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Southeastern Oklahoma State University

#23

Trinity University

San Antonio, Texas

Trinity University landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in San Antonio, Texas, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 27 diplomas to qualified ’s political science students in 2019-2020.

Trinity U also took the #8 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Trinity University is $18,012 for Southwest Region Political Science students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The low 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 Trinity University Political Science & Government Report

#24

East Central University

Ada, Oklahoma

East Central University landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. ECU is a small school located in Ada, Oklahoma that handed out 5 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for East Central University is $13,316 for southwest region political science students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Political Science & Government at ECU

#25

Sam Houston State University

Huntsville, Texas

Sam Houston State University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This large school is located in Huntsville, Texas, and it awarded 63 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SHSU, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Sam Houston State University is $14,832 for southwest region political science students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at SHSU

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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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