2026 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in Oregon
[Political Science & Government](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 16 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value political science & government schools.
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2026 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in Oregon
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in political science & government, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Political Science & Government Schools
Portland State University tops our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools in Oregon. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,118 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,136 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $23,818. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $35,173. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Oregon State University earned it the #2 place for political science & government. Located in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,400, while out-of-state students pay about $38,190. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $24,260 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Oregon State University generally make around $39,157. Set against $24,260 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of Oregon is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science & government, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,320, with out-of-state students paying around $42,516. Students borrow a median of $20,183 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Oregon earn a median of $36,022 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,183 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Willamette University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the city of Salem, Willamette University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $51,156. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $21,331 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of Willamette University earn a median of $35,162 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,331 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Lewis And Clark College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science & government, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Portland, Lewis And Clark College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $64,828. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $23,301. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $38,784. Set against $23,301 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of Portland placed #6 among the best values for political science & government. Located in the city of Portland, University Of Portland is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $58,100 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $24,250. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $23,017. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Reed College placed #7 among the best values for political science & government. Reed College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Portland. Students from in state pay about $69,350 in tuition and fees. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $21,137 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of Reed College earn a median of $30,588 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Reed College admits about 25% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
