2026 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in Washington
[Political Science & Government](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. 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 Washington
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the political science & government degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Political Science & Government Schools
Leading the list is University Of Washington Bothell Campus, our #1 best value for political science & government in Washington. University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Bothell. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,919, with out-of-state students paying around $43,155. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Washington Bothell Campus generally make around $41,246. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt. University Of Washington Bothell Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Washington Seattle Campus one of the best values for political science & government. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $41,246. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Washington University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Eastern Washington University is a large public school located in the town of Cheney. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,586, with out-of-state students paying around $26,583. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $21,412 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Eastern Washington University generally make around $33,173. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Washington State University one of the best values for political science & government. Located in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,391, compared with $29,950 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Washington State University generally make around $41,130. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Central Washington University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Central Washington University is a very large public school located in the town of Ellensburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,417, while out-of-state students pay about $27,526. Students borrow a median of $16,936 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Central Washington University generally make around $39,220. Set against $16,936 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Western Washington University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Western Washington University is a large public school located in the city of Bellingham. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,582, with out-of-state students paying around $28,707. Students borrow a median of $19,431 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Western Washington University earn a median of $27,217 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Washington University admits about 93% of applicants.
Pacific Lutheran University came in at #7 for value in political science & government this year. Set in the suburb of Tacoma, Pacific Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $50,916. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $20,250. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Pacific Lutheran University generally make around $41,518. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pacific Lutheran University admits about 78% of applicants.
Seattle Pacific University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Seattle Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Seattle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,407. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $26,775. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Seattle Pacific University generally make around $32,288. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Whitworth University earned the #9 position for value in political science & government this year. Located in the suburb of Spokane, Whitworth University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,880. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $22,624 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of Whitworth University earn a median of $43,933 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,624 median debt. Whitworth University admits about 90% of applicants.
Seattle University placed #10 among the best values for political science & government. Seattle University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Seattle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,721. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $20,449 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $41,474. That is a strong return on a $20,449 median debt. Seattle University admits about 77% of applicants.
Whitman College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Whitman College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Walla Walla. Students from in state pay about $64,050 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,750 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Whitman College generally make around $27,689. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Whitman College admits about 38% of applicants.
Gonzaga University placed #12 among the best values for political science & government. Set in the city of Spokane, Gonzaga University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $55,480. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $23,124 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $26,915. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Puget Sound ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the city of Tacoma, University Of Puget Sound is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,898. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $22,801 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Puget Sound generally make around $31,290. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 13 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.
