2027 Best Value Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 57 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for political science & government students.
What’s on this page:
2027 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
Leading the list is Princeton University, our #1 best value for political science & government in the United States. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Students borrow a median of $10,888 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $63,317 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in political science & government will find it at University Of Florida, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $16,068 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $31,574. Set against $16,068 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
A rank of #3 makes University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill one of the best values for political science & government. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $15,100 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $41,200. That is a strong return on a $15,100 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes California State University Los Angeles one of the best values for political science & government. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
A rank of #5 makes Florida State University one of the best values for political science & government. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,700 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $46,645. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles placed #6 among the best values for political science & government. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $15,000. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $34,392 early in their careers. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.
University Of Central Florida landed the #7 spot for political science & government value 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, while out-of-state students pay about $22,467. Students borrow a median of $21,344 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $35,937. Set against $21,344 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California San Diego earned the #8 position for value in political science & government this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Students borrow a median of $16,030 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $33,345. That is a strong return on a $16,030 median debt. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
American Public University System came in at #9 for value in political science & government this year. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,400. 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 California Berkeley came in at #10 for value in political science & government this year. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $45,418 early in their careers. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
University Of California Irvine ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $16,293 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $31,976. That is a strong return on a $16,293 median debt. The acceptance rate is 29%.
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #12 spot for political science & government value this year. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $20,000. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $39,708. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #13 for value in political science & government this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Students borrow a median of $14,000 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $41,246. That is a strong return on a $14,000 median debt. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Springfield landed the #14 spot for political science & government value this year. 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. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $25,848 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Springfield generally make around $52,565. Set against $25,848 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Vanderbilt University landed the #15 spot for political science & government value this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $12,000. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $46,843. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Vanderbilt University admits about 6% of applicants.
University Of Houston earned the #16 position for value in political science & government this year. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $19,500. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $36,413 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland College Park landed the #17 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Students borrow a median of $18,768 to complete the political science & government program here. 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%.
San Diego State University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,068 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $38,060 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Metro landed the #19 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the city of San Juan, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Metro is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,780. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $13,190 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $25,967. That is a strong return on a $13,190 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Idaho State University earned the #20 position for value in political science & government this year. Set in the city of Pocatello, Idaho State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,610, with out-of-state students paying around $27,720. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Idaho State University generally make around $53,359. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha landed the #21 spot for political science & government value this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $22,119 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Omaha generally make around $60,055. That is a strong return on a $22,119 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #22 for value in political science & government this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $42,063 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Augusta University placed #23 among the best values for political science & government. Set in the city of Augusta, Augusta University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,414, with out-of-state students paying around $24,734. Students borrow a median of $17,965 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Augusta University generally make around $56,168. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Augusta University admits about 86% of applicants.
Eastern Illinois University earned the #24 position for value in political science & government this year. Set in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,377, compared with $15,859 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $24,739 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $28,721. Set against $24,739 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Johns Hopkins University came in at #25 for value in political science & government this year. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. Students from in state pay about $64,730 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $13,426. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $96,306. Set against $13,426 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s political science & government value ranking:
Other Political Science & Government Degree Levels
Explore the best-value political science & government schools at other degree levels:
View All Political Science & Government Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 57 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 57 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.
