2026 Best Value Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools
[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.
College Factual analyzed 1304 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value political science & government schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in the United States
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
For return on investment in political science & government, no school beat University Of Florida this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $16,068 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $31,574. Set against $16,068 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $16,274. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $29,577. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Students looking for strong value in political science & government will find it at California State University Long Beach, which ranked #3. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $14,928. Political Science & Government graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $32,168 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,928 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Students looking for strong value in political science & government will find it at Princeton University, which ranked #4. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. Students from in state pay about $62,688 in tuition and fees. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $63,317 early in their careers. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in political science & government will find it at California State University Los Angeles, which ranked #5. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,614 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $29,818. Set against $10,614 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Sacramento ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $16,084. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $36,189. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Florida State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $18,700. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $46,645. Set against $18,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Irvine earned the #8 position for value in political science & government this year. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $16,293 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $31,976 early in their careers. Set against $16,293 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
American Public University System landed the #9 spot for political science & government value this year. Set in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $18,304. Political Science & Government graduates of American Public University System earn a median of $69,309 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,304 median debt.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #10 spot for political science & government value this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,100 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $41,200 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,100 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
Florida Atlantic University came in at #11 for value in political science & government this year. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $18,500. Political Science & Government graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $31,641 early in their careers. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
University Of Central Florida earned the #12 position for value in political science & government this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Students borrow a median of $21,344 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $35,937. That is a strong return on a $21,344 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Santa Barbara placed #13 among the best values for political science & government. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,444, with out-of-state students paying around $47,332. Students borrow a median of $16,485 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $39,404. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Santa Barbara admits about 33% of applicants.
San Francisco State University landed the #14 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,846 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $17,000 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $36,502 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Georgia ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Students borrow a median of $22,171 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $39,842. Set against $22,171 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Berkeley earned the #16 position for value in political science & government this year. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $13,000. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $45,418. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Springfield placed #17 among the best values for political science & government. Set in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,557, while out-of-state students pay about $20,139. Students borrow a median of $25,848 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $52,565. That is a strong return on a $25,848 median debt. University Of Illinois At Springfield admits about 86% of applicants.
Arizona State University came in at #18 for value in political science & government this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $19,257. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $47,626. That is a strong return on a $19,257 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Maryland College Park landed the #19 spot for political science & government value this year. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $18,768. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $42,688. That is a strong return on a $18,768 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Harvard University landed the #20 spot for political science & government value this year. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $61,543. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public school located in the city of Omaha. In-state tuition and fees average $8,718, with out-of-state students paying around $23,206. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $22,119. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of $60,055 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Johns Hopkins University came in at #22 for value in political science & government this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $13,426. Political Science & Government graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $96,306 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,426 median debt. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Eastern Illinois University landed the #23 spot for political science & government value this year. Set in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,377, while out-of-state students pay about $15,859. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $24,739 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $28,721. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Augusta University placed #24 among the best values for political science & government. Located in the city of Augusta, Augusta University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,414, while out-of-state students pay about $24,734. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $17,965 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of Augusta University earn a median of $56,168 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Augusta University admits about 86% of applicants.
Texas State University San Marcos came in at #25 for value in political science & government this year. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Students borrow a median of $22,760 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $33,783. Set against $22,760 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in political science & government:
Other Political Science & Government Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Political Science & Government rankings across degree levels:
View All Political Science & Government Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 1304 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.
