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2022 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Political Science & Government in the Southeast Region

20 Ranked Colleges
101 Degrees Awarded
$31,800 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. 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 for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region” ranking - to help you make that 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 Southeast region, there were 11,230 political science and government graduates with average earnings and debt of $32,775 and $23,806 respectively. At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 101 political science and government graduates with average earnings and debt of $71,978 and $116,300 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region” ranking analyzed 20 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.

More Ways to Rank Political Science & Government Schools

The political science school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region”.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region

The colleges and universities below are the best for southeast region doctor’s degree political science students.

Top 20 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Political Science & Government in the Southeast Region

#1

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida

Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Florida landed the #1 spot on the list. This large school is located in Gainesville, Florida, and it awarded 8 doctorate’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

UF not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Florida are $30,130, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Political Science & Government at University of Florida

#2

University of Georgia

Athens, Georgia

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Georgia. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region list. UGA is a public institution located in Athens, Georgia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 11 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UGA, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Georgia are $27,476.

Full University of Georgia Political Science & Government Report

#3

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina
#6 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region list. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 8 doctorate’s political science degrees to qualified students.

UNC Chapel Hill also made our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #6. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are $30,248.

Full University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Political Science & Government Report

#4

Mississippi State University

Mississippi State, Mississippi
#15 in overall quality

Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Mississippi State University landed the #4 spot on the list. Mississippi State is located in Mississippi State, Mississippi and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1 doctorate’s political science degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Mississippi State, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Mississippi State University are $23,950, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Mississippi State University

#5

University of Virginia - Main Campus

Charlottesville, Virginia
#4 in overall quality

Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Virginia - Main Campus landed the #5 spot on the list. University of Virginia is located in Charlottesville, Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 doctorate’s political science degrees to qualified students.

University of Virginia did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Virginia are $32,394, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at University of Virginia - Main Campus

#6

Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida

Florida State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region ranking, coming in at #6. Tallahassee, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s political science degrees to 6 students in 2019-2020.

Florida State also took the #11 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Florida State University are $26,707.

Full Florida State University Political Science & Government Report

#7

University of South Carolina - Columbia

Columbia, South Carolina
#8 in overall quality

University of South Carolina - Columbia came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in Columbia, South Carolina, this large public school handed out 7 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s political science students in 2019-2020.

UofSC also took the #8 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UofSC are $30,160, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Political Science & Government at UofSC

#8

University of New Orleans

New Orleans, Louisiana
#20 in overall quality

University of New Orleans came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region ranking. University of New Orleans is a medium-sized school located in New Orleans, Louisiana that handed out 1 doctorate’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

UNO also made our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #20. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UNO are $13,678.

Read more about Political Science & Government at University of New Orleans

#17 in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, Florida International University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region list. This large school is located in Miami, Florida, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

FIU also took the #17 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at FIU are $24,211, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Florida International University Political Science & Government Report

#10

University of Mississippi

University, Mississippi
#18 in overall quality

University of Mississippi landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region ranking. This large school is located in University, Mississippi, and it awarded 1 doctorate’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Ole Miss did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Mississippi are $25,099.

Full Ole Miss Political Science & Government Report

#9 in overall quality

The University of Tennessee - Knoxville came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region ranking. The University of Tennessee - Knoxville is a public institution located in Knoxville, Tennessee. The school has a large population, and it awarded 5 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Knoxville did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Tennessee - Knoxville are $31,798.

Full The University of Tennessee - Knoxville Political Science & Government Report

#12

West Virginia University

Morgantown, West Virginia
#16 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, West Virginia University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region list. West Virginia University is located in Morgantown, West Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 doctorate’s political science degrees to qualified students.

WVU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at WVU are $26,154, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at WVU

#13 in overall quality

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region ranking. Baton Rouge, Louisiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s political science degrees to 3 students in 2019-2020.

Louisiana State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College are $29,970, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Louisiana State University

#14

The University of Alabama

Tuscaloosa, Alabama
#12 in overall quality

With a ranking of #14, The University of Alabama did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region list. UA is a large school located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama that handed out 3 doctorate’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southeast region doctor’s degree political science students list, UA has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UA are $30,940, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science & Government at UA

#15

Georgia State University

Atlanta, Georgia
#19 in overall quality

Georgia State University landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in Atlanta, Georgia, this large public school awarded 4 degrees to qualified doctorate’s political science students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southeast region doctor’s degree political science students list, Georgia State has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Georgia State are $24,790.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Georgia State University

#16

University of Kentucky

Lexington, Kentucky
#14 in overall quality

University of Kentucky landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region ranking. University of Kentucky is a large public school situated in Lexington, Kentucky. It awarded 1 doctorate’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

UK not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UK are $33,216.

Full UK Political Science & Government Report

#17

George Mason University

Fairfax, Virginia
#10 in overall quality

With a ranking of #17, George Mason University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region list. George Mason University is a large school located in Fairfax, Virginia that handed out 5 doctorate’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

GMU also took the #10 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at George Mason University are $37,410.

Read more about Political Science & Government at George Mason University

#18

Emory University

Atlanta, Georgia
#3 in overall quality

Emory University landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in Atlanta, Georgia, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 5 degrees to qualified doctorate’s political science students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Emory, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Emory University are $44,676, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Emory

#19

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee
#2 in overall quality

Vanderbilt University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region ranking, coming in at #19. Vanderbilt University is a fairly large school located in Nashville, Tennessee that handed out 4 doctorate’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Vanderbilt also took the #2 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Vanderbilt University are $50,624.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Vanderbilt

#20

Duke University

Durham, North Carolina
#1 in overall quality

Duke University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region ranking, coming in at #20. Duke University is a fairly large school located in Durham, North Carolina that handed out 15 doctorate’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Duke did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Duke University are $59,140, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Duke University

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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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