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2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid

27 Ranked Colleges
108 Degrees Awarded
$21,100 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master's in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. 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 for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid” 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. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 108 political science and government graduates with average earnings and debt of $53,078 and $37,227 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 27 colleges that offer a degree in political science and government. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality political science and government programs that also have a lower cost than 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

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 for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid” list to help you make the college decision.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid

The colleges and universities below are the best for southwest region master’s degree political science students with aid.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Political Science & Government in the Southwest Region (With Aid)

#22 in overall quality

Out of the 27 schools in the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley landed the #1 spot on the list. UT Rio Grande Valley is a public institution located in Edinburg, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Rio Grande Valley not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UT Rio Grande Valley are $15,151.

Read more about Political Science & Government at UT Rio Grande Valley

#5 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The University of Texas at Dallas. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Richardson, Texas, and it awarded 12 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree political science students with aid list, UT Dallas has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UT Dallas are $28,610, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#3

Rice University

Houston, Texas
#1 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Rice University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid. Rice University is a medium-sized school located in Houston, Texas that handed out 7 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Rice, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Rice University are $47,913.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Rice University

#3 in overall quality

Out of the 27 schools in the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, The University of Texas at Austin landed the #4 spot on the list. This large school is located in Austin, Texas, and it awarded 6 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Austin also took the #3 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UT Austin are $22,886, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UT Austin Political Science & Government Report

#21 in overall quality

Out of the 27 schools in the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, The University of Texas at El Paso landed the #5 spot on the list. El Paso, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s political science degrees to 5 students in 2019-2020.

UTEP did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UTEP are $16,180, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#24 in overall quality

Texas Woman’s University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #6. Texas Woman’s University is a fairly large school located in Denton, Texas that handed out 1 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

TWU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas Woman’s University are $14,962, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full TWU Political Science & Government Report

#18 in overall quality

The University of Texas at San Antonio landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. UTSA is a public institution located in San Antonio, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 4 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UTSA, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas at San Antonio are $25,807, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full The University of Texas at San Antonio Political Science & Government Report

#19 in overall quality

With a ranking of #8, The University of Texas at Tyler did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Tyler, Texas, this medium-sized public school awarded 2 degrees to qualified masters’s political science students in 2019-2020.

UT Tyler not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UT Tyler are $16,308, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UT Tyler Political Science & Government Report

#10 in overall quality

University of North Texas did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #9. University of North Texas is a public institution located in Denton, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 2 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UNT also made our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #10. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Texas are $15,618, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Political Science & Government at University of North Texas

#4 in overall quality

Arizona State University - Tempe landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Tempe, Arizona is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s political science degrees to 8 students in 2019-2020.

ASU - Tempe also took the #4 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at ASU - Tempe are $27,048, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#11

University of Houston

Houston, Texas
#11 in overall quality

University of Houston landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This large school is located in Houston, Texas, and it awarded 6 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

UH not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Houston are $18,689, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Political Science & Government at UH

#12

Texas A&M University - College Station

College Station, Texas
#2 in overall quality

Texas A&M University - College Station ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. Texas A&M University - College Station is a large school located in College Station, Texas that handed out 5 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Texas A&M College Station, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A&M College Station are $22,743.

Full Texas A&M University - College Station Political Science & Government Report

#13 in overall quality

Oklahoma State University - Main Campus came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. OSU is a large school located in Stillwater, Oklahoma that handed out 4 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

OSU also took the #13 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Oklahoma State University - Main Campus are $23,963, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at OSU

#14

MSU Texas

Wichita Falls, Texas
#25 in overall quality

MSU Texas landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. MSU Texas is a medium-sized school located in Wichita Falls, Texas that handed out 2 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

MSU Texas did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at MSU Texas are $7,935.

Read more about Political Science & Government at MSU Texas

#15

Texas State University

San Marcos, Texas
#14 in overall quality

Texas State University landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Texas State is a large public school situated in San Marcos, Texas. It awarded 7 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Texas State also took the #14 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas State University are $17,040, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Texas State

#16

Sam Houston State University

Huntsville, Texas
#16 in overall quality

Sam Houston State University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Sam Houston State University is a large school located in Huntsville, Texas that handed out 4 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

SHSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at SHSU are $15,704, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Sam Houston State University Political Science & Government Report

#17

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona
#6 in overall quality

University of Arizona ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Tucson, Arizona, this large public school handed out 4 degrees to qualified masters’s political science students in 2019-2020.

University of Arizona not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Arizona are $33,399.

Read more about Political Science & Government at University of Arizona

#18

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas
#12 in overall quality

With a ranking of #18, Texas Tech University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Lubbock, Texas, this large public school awarded 1 degrees to qualified masters’s political science students in 2019-2020.

Texas Tech not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas Tech University are $17,530, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Texas Tech

With a ranking of #19, The University of Texas at Arlington did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Arlington, Texas, and it awarded 7 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Arlington also took the #17 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas at Arlington are $23,376.

Read more about Political Science & Government at The University of Texas at Arlington

#23 in overall quality

Texas A&M University - Commerce came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Texas A&M Commerce is a fairly large school located in Commerce, Texas that handed out 1 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree political science students with aid list, Texas A&M Commerce has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A&M University - Commerce are $14,549.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Texas A&M University - Commerce

With a ranking of #21, New Mexico State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Las Cruces, New Mexico, this fairly large public school awarded 2 degrees to qualified masters’s political science students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at New Mexico State University - Main Campus are $18,275.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at New Mexico State University - Main Campus

#22

University of New Mexico - Main Campus

Albuquerque, New Mexico
#20 in overall quality

University of New Mexico - Main Campus ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, this large public school handed out 1 diplomas to qualified masters’s political science students in 2019-2020.

UNM also took the #20 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UNM are $19,890, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of New Mexico - Main Campus Political Science & Government Report

#23

Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, Arizona
#15 in overall quality

With a ranking of #23, Northern Arizona University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. Northern Arizona University is a large public school situated in Flagstaff, Arizona. It awarded 2 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree political science students with aid list, NAU has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at NAU are $19,489.

Full NAU Political Science & Government Report

University of Central Oklahoma did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #24. UCO is located in Edmond, Oklahoma and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1 masters’s political science degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UCO are $17,913, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at UCO

#8 in overall quality

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a large public school situated in Norman, Oklahoma. It awarded 2 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Oklahoma also made our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #8. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus are $23,236, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science & Government at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus

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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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