2027 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in Indiana

[Political Science & Government](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong political science & government education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 12 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for political science & government students.
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2027 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in Indiana
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in political science & government, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Political Science & Government Schools
Purdue University Main Campus tops our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools in Indiana. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $39,708 early in their careers. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Indiana University East one of the best values for political science & government. Located in the town of Richmond, Indiana University East is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $24,098 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $49,598. That is a strong return on a $24,098 median debt. The acceptance rate is 67%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned it the #3 place for political science & government. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $36,535. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
A rank of #4 makes Indiana State University one of the best values for political science & government. Set in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,258, with out-of-state students paying around $22,322. Students borrow a median of $25,987 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Indiana State University generally make around $33,352. That is a strong return on a $25,987 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in political science & government will find it at Indiana University Bloomington, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Students borrow a median of $17,951 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $32,568 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Ball State University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. Students from in state pay about $11,082 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $25,410. Political Science & Government graduates of Ball State University earn a median of $39,755 early in their careers. Set against $25,410 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Indianapolis placed #7 among the best values for political science & government. Set in the city of Indianapolis, University Of Indianapolis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,200. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $25,963. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Indianapolis generally make around $32,406. Set against $25,963 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Indianapolis admits about 66% of applicants.
Wabash College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the town of Crawfordsville, Wabash College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $50,800. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Wabash College generally make around $32,834. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Wabash College admits about 63% of applicants.
Taylor University earned the #9 position for value in political science & government this year. Taylor University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Upland. In-state tuition and fees average $40,490. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $21,832. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Taylor University generally make around $45,090. Set against $21,832 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Saint Marys College landed the #10 spot for political science & government value this year. Set in the suburb of Notre Dame, Saint Marys College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $53,230. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $26,938 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Saint Marys College generally make around $48,274. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Marys College admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Notre Dame ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,025. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Notre Dame generally make around $55,316. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Notre Dame admits about 11% of applicants.
Butler University came in at #12 for value in political science & government this year. Butler University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Indianapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,560. Students borrow a median of $25,351 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $68,222. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Butler University admits about 85% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.