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2022 Best Value Colleges for Political Science & Government in the Southwest Region (With Aid)

58 Ranked Colleges
3,962 Degrees Awarded
$12,000 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

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 Getting Aid” 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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 in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid” list to help you make the college 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 Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid.

Top 26 Best Value Colleges for Political Science & Government in the Southwest Region (With Aid)

#1

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 Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Central New Mexico Community College landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, this large public school handed out 19 degrees to qualified ’s political science students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region political science students with aid 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 CNM is $3,429 for southwest region political science students with aid.

Read more about Political Science & Government at CNM

#2

Oklahoma City Community College

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Oklahoma City Community College. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid. 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 also made our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #12. It costs about $6,842 for Southwest Region Political Science students with aid per year to attend OCCC.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at OCCC

Out of the 58 schools in the Best Value Political Science Schools 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 #3 spot on the list. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is a public institution located in Edinburg, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 59 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is $4,514 for southwest region political science students with aid.

The low student loan default rate of 4.8% 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%.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at The University of Texas 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 #4 for the Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid. Texas A&M International University is located in Laredo, Texas and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 24 ’s political science degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $3,074 for southwest region political science students with aid per year to attend Texas A&M International University.

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

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The University of Texas of the Permian Basin. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. This medium-sized school is located in Odessa, Texas, and it awarded 9 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Permian Basin also made our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #23. The estimated yearly cost for The University of Texas of the Permian Basin is $10,092 for Southwest Region Political Science students with aid.

Read more about Political Science & Government at UT Permian Basin

The University of Texas at Dallas came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This large school is located in Richardson, Texas, and it awarded 80 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Dallas did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend The University of Texas at Dallas is $15,232 for southwest region political science students with aid.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at UT Dallas

The University of Texas at Austin came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This large school is located in Austin, Texas, and it awarded 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 The University of Texas at Austin is $18,023 for Southwest Region Political Science students with aid.

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%.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at UT Austin

University of North Texas at Dallas came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid 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.

It costs about $8,488 for Southwest Region Political Science students with aid per year to attend UNT Dallas.

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

Arizona State University - Tempe ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. ASU - Tempe is a large public school situated in Tempe, Arizona. It awarded 408 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region political science students with aid list, ASU - Tempe has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $11,706 for southwest region political science students with aid per year to attend Arizona State University - 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.

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

#10

Rice University

Houston, Texas

Rice University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. 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.

Rice did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $16,999 for southwest region political science students with aid per year to attend Rice.

With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Rice

#11

University of Houston

Houston, Texas

University of Houston landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. UH is a large public school situated in Houston, Texas. It awarded 222 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

UH also made our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #10. The estimated yearly cost for University of Houston is $12,838 for southwest region political science students with aid.

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 University of Houston Political Science & Government Report

#12

Texas Woman's University

Denton, Texas

Texas Woman’s University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. TWU is a fairly large school located in Denton, Texas that handed out 33 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for TWU is $9,617 for Southwest Region Political Science students with aid.

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

#13

East Central University

Ada, Oklahoma

East Central University landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. ECU is a small public school situated in Ada, Oklahoma. It awarded 5 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for ECU is $10,334 for southwest region political science students with aid.

Read more about Political Science & Government at East Central University

The University of Texas at El Paso ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. UTEP is a large public school situated in El Paso, Texas. It awarded 52 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend UTEP is $8,920 for Southwest Region Political Science students with aid.

Read more about Political Science & Government at UTEP

The University of Texas at San Antonio ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in San Antonio, Texas, and it awarded 79 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for UTSA is $13,853 for southwest region political science students with aid.

Full UTSA Political Science & Government Report

Southeastern Oklahoma State University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Durant, Oklahoma is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s political science degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Southeastern Oklahoma State University is $8,237 for Southwest Region Political Science students with aid.

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

#17

Texas A&M University - College Station

College Station, Texas

Texas A&M University - College Station landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Texas A&M University - College Station is a public institution located in College Station, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 303 ’s degrees 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. It costs about $19,057 for southwest region political science students with aid per year to attend Texas A&M University - College Station.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national 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

The University of Texas at Tyler did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #18. Tyler, Texas is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s political science degrees to 24 students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $10,974 for Southwest Region Political Science students with aid per year to attend The University of Texas at Tyler.

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

#19

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona

University of Arizona came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Tucson, Arizona, this large public school awarded 214 degrees to qualified ’s political science students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at University of Arizona, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Arizona is $15,016 for Southwest Region Political Science students with aid.

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

Full University of Arizona Political Science & Government Report

#20

Arizona State University - Skysong

Scottsdale, Arizona

Arizona State University - Skysong came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. ASU - Skysong is located in Scottsdale, Arizona and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 159 ’s political science degrees to qualified students.

ASU - Skysong also made our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #16. It costs about $13,971 for Southwest Region Political Science students with aid per year to attend ASU - Skysong.

Full Arizona State University - Skysong Political Science & Government Report

#20

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas

Texas Tech University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #20. Located in Lubbock, Texas, this large public school awarded 114 diplomas to qualified ’s political science students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region political science students with aid list, Texas Tech has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Texas Tech University is $17,571 for southwest region political science students with aid.

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

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

#21

University of North Texas

Denton, Texas

University of North Texas landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. UNT is a large school located in Denton, Texas that handed out 123 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNT, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $15,086 for Southwest Region Political Science students with aid per year to attend University of North Texas.

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

#22

Texas State University

San Marcos, Texas

Texas State University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in San Marcos, Texas, this large public school handed out 140 diplomas to qualified ’s political science students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Texas State, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Texas State is $15,230 for southwest region political science students with aid.

Full Texas State Political Science & Government Report

#23

Angelo State University

San Angelo, Texas

Angelo State University landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Angelo State is a fairly large school located in San Angelo, Texas that handed out 11 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Angelo State is $13,819 for southwest region political science students with aid.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Angelo State

#24

Sam Houston State University

Huntsville, Texas

Sam Houston State University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Huntsville, Texas, and it awarded 63 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

SHSU also took the #24 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Sam Houston State University is $14,617 for Southwest Region Political Science students with aid.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at SHSU

Oklahoma State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #25. Oklahoma State University - Main Campus is a large public school situated in Stillwater, Oklahoma. It awarded 56 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region political science students with aid list, OSU has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $14,648 for southwest region political science students with aid per year to attend OSU.

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 OSU

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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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