2026 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in California
[Political Science & Government](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 177 schools to find the best return on investment for political science & government students.
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2026 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in political science & government, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Political Science & Government Schools
For return on investment in political science & government, no school beat San Diego Miramar College this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $41,038. That is a strong return on a $8,098 median debt.
Cerritos College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moorpark College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science & government, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. That is a strong return on a $17,075 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at San Diego Mesa College earned it the #4 place for political science & government. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Students borrow a median of $6,999 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. Set against $6,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of The Canyons earned it the #5 place for political science & government. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, while out-of-state students pay about $10,958. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $9,776. Political Science & Government graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Sequoias came in at #6 for value in political science & government this year. Located in the city of Visalia, College Of The Sequoias is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,394, compared with $9,038 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,288 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from College Of The Sequoias generally make around $37,749. That is a strong return on a $10,288 median debt.
West Valley College placed #7 among the best values for political science & government. Set in the suburb of Saratoga, West Valley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $0, while out-of-state students pay about $9,320. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $14,308. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from West Valley College generally make around $25,378. That is a strong return on a $14,308 median debt.
Irvine Valley College earned the #8 position for value in political science & government this year. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $11,860. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $6,672 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,156 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $6,672 median debt.
Mt San Antonio College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $9,384. Political Science & Government graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grossmont College came in at #10 for value in political science & government this year. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, compared with $10,628 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,309.
Saddleback College came in at #11 for value in political science & government this year. Set in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $5,707. Political Science & Government graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #12 for value in political science & government this year. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $10,268. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $25,837. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Imperial Valley College landed the #13 spot for political science & government value this year. Imperial Valley College is a large public school located in the rural area of Imperial. In-state tuition and fees average $1,126, with out-of-state students paying around $8,830. Students borrow a median of $6,176 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Imperial Valley College generally make around $42,617. Set against $6,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Golden West College placed #14 among the best values for political science & government. Located in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,380, while out-of-state students pay about $11,628. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $82,984. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fresno City College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Students borrow a median of $7,234 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $37,470. Set against $7,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santiago Canyon College came in at #16 for value in political science & government this year. Located in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,164, while out-of-state students pay about $9,612. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $34,100. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Reedley College came in at #17 for value in political science & government this year. Set in the town of Reedley, Reedley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,378, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Reedley College generally make around $30,520. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
Pasadena City College placed #18 among the best values for political science & government. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $9,191. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Monica College earned the #19 position for value in political science & government this year. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
Ventura College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $99,778. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
De Anza College came in at #21 for value in political science & government this year. De Anza College is a very large public school located in the city of Cupertino. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,571, compared with $12,596 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $7,271 in student loans. Median earnings reach $56,596 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $7,271 median debt.
El Camino Community College District landed the #22 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,144, compared with $7,630 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $41,589 ten years out.
Sacramento City College placed #23 among the best values for political science & government. Sacramento City College is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $13,180. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $46,522. That is a strong return on a $13,180 median debt.
San Diego City College placed #24 among the best values for political science & government. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $9,514 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of San Diego City College earn a median of $26,218 early in their careers. Set against $9,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
American River College earned the #25 position for value in political science & government this year. American River College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Sacramento. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Students borrow a median of $14,105 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from American River College generally make around $76,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for political science & government this year:
More Political Science & Government Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 177 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 59 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
