2027 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in Wisconsin

[Political Science & Government](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 12 schools to find the best return on investment for political science & government students.
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2027 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in Wisconsin
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 University Of Wisconsin Green Bay this year. Set in the city of Green Bay, University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,700 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,288. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $23,383 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Green Bay generally make around $36,036. That is a strong return on a $23,383 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Green Bay admits about 89% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earned it the #2 place for political science & government. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public school located in the city of Oshkosh. Students from in state pay about $8,532 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,446 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $25,015. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $42,366. Set against $25,015 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science & government, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public school located in the town of Whitewater. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,616, with out-of-state students paying around $18,716. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $25,791. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $40,115. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $18,248. Students borrow a median of $21,313 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earn a median of $41,455 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in political science & government will find it at University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,398. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $40,487. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse placed #6 among the best values for political science & government. Located in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,070, compared with $19,517 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earn a median of $35,281 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $42,063. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earned the #8 position for value in political science & government this year. Located in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,642, with out-of-state students paying around $19,228. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $23,968 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $26,268. That is a strong return on a $23,968 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Ripon College came in at #9 for value in political science & government this year. Ripon College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Ripon. In-state tuition and fees average $51,900. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $26,973. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $35,385. Set against $26,973 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Beloit College landed the #10 spot for political science & government value this year. Set in the city of Beloit, Beloit College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $60,886. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $26,425 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Beloit College generally make around $33,499. That is a strong return on a $26,425 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Norbert College landed the #11 spot for political science & government value this year. Saint Norbert College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of De Pere. In-state tuition and fees average $45,580. Students borrow a median of $26,578 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Saint Norbert College earn a median of $48,421 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Marquette University came in at #12 for value in political science & government this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $51,170 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Marquette University earn a median of $38,225 early in their careers. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 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.