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2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region

27 Ranked Colleges
108 Degrees Awarded
$20,600 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master's in the Southwest Region

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2019-2020, 48,597 people earned their degree in political science and government, making the major the 21st most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, political science and government graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $33,977 and had an average of $22,822 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Southwest region, there were 3,962 political science and government graduates with average earnings and debt of $32,993 and $20,539 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 108 political science and government graduates with average earnings and debt of $53,078 and $37,227 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region” ranking looked at 27 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in political science and government. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent political science and government programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the political science and government program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region” list to help you make the college decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region

The colleges and universities below are the best for southwest region master’s degree political science students.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Political Science & Government in the Southwest Region

#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Texas A&M University - College Station. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region. Texas A&M University - College Station is a large public school situated in College Station, Texas. It awarded 5 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree political science students list, Texas A&M College Station has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A&M University - College Station are $22,743, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Texas A&M College Station Political Science & Government Report

#10 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of North Texas. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region. Denton, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s political science degrees to 2 students in 2019-2020.

UNT also took the #10 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UNT are $15,618, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at University of North Texas

#3 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The University of Texas at Austin. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region list. UT Austin is located in Austin, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 6 masters’s political science degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree political science students list, UT Austin has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UT Austin are $22,886, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at UT Austin

#4

Sam Houston State University

Huntsville, Texas
#16 in overall quality

Out of the 27 schools in the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Sam Houston State University landed the #4 spot on the list. SHSU is a large school located in Huntsville, Texas that handed out 4 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

SHSU also took the #16 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at SHSU are $15,704, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Sam Houston State University

#5

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas
#12 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Texas Tech University. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region list. Lubbock, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s political science degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

Texas Tech not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas Tech are $17,530, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Texas Tech University Political Science & Government Report

#6

University of Houston

Houston, Texas
#11 in overall quality

University of Houston came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region ranking. University of Houston is a large school located in Houston, Texas that handed out 6 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree political science students list, UH has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Houston are $18,689, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UH Political Science & Government Report

#7

Texas State University

San Marcos, Texas
#14 in overall quality

Texas State University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region ranking. Texas State is located in San Marcos, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 masters’s political science degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Texas State, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Texas State are $17,040.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Texas State

#8

MSU Texas

Wichita Falls, Texas
#25 in overall quality

MSU Texas landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Wichita Falls, Texas, and it awarded 2 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree political science students list, MSU Texas has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at MSU Texas are $7,935, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full MSU Texas Political Science & Government Report

#22 in overall quality

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region ranking. Located in Edinburg, Texas, this large public school handed out 3 diplomas to qualified masters’s political science students in 2019-2020.

UT Rio Grande Valley also made our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #22. Average graduate tuition and fees at UT Rio Grande Valley are $15,151, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UT Rio Grande Valley Political Science & Government Report

#8 in overall quality

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region list. University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is located in Norman, Oklahoma and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 masters’s political science degrees to qualified students.

University of Oklahoma did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Oklahoma are $23,236, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus

#11

Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, Arizona
#15 in overall quality

Northern Arizona University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region ranking. Northern Arizona University is a public institution located in Flagstaff, Arizona. The school has a large population, and it awarded 2 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

NAU also took the #15 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northern Arizona University are $19,489, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Northern Arizona University

#19 in overall quality

The University of Texas at Tyler ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region list. Located in Tyler, Texas, this medium-sized public school awarded 2 degrees to qualified masters’s political science students in 2019-2020.

UT Tyler did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UT Tyler are $16,308, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at The University of Texas at Tyler

#21 in overall quality

The University of Texas at El Paso landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region ranking. UTEP is a large public school situated in El Paso, Texas. It awarded 5 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree political science students list, UTEP has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas at El Paso are $16,180, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at The University of Texas at El Paso

#23 in overall quality

Texas A&M University - Commerce did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region ranking, coming in at #14. Texas A&M Commerce is a fairly large school located in Commerce, Texas that handed out 1 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree political science students list, Texas A&M Commerce has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A&M Commerce are $14,549.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Texas A&M University - Commerce

#13 in overall quality

Oklahoma State University - Main Campus came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region ranking. This large school is located in Stillwater, Oklahoma, and it awarded 4 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

OSU also took the #13 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at OSU are $23,963.

Full Oklahoma State University - Main Campus Political Science & Government Report

#16

Texas Woman's University

Denton, Texas
#24 in overall quality

Texas Woman’s University landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region ranking. Texas Woman’s University is a fairly large school located in Denton, Texas that handed out 1 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

TWU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Texas Woman’s University are $14,962.

Read more about Political Science & Government at TWU

#4 in overall quality

Arizona State University - Tempe did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region ranking, coming in at #17. This large school is located in Tempe, Arizona, and it awarded 8 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree political science students list, ASU - Tempe has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at ASU - Tempe are $27,048, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Political Science & Government at ASU - Tempe

#5 in overall quality

The University of Texas at Dallas landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region ranking. Located in Richardson, Texas, this large public school handed out 12 degrees to qualified masters’s political science students in 2019-2020.

UT Dallas not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UT Dallas are $28,610.

Read more about Political Science & Government at The University of Texas at Dallas

#19

University of New Mexico - Main Campus

Albuquerque, New Mexico
#20 in overall quality

University of New Mexico - Main Campus landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region ranking. UNM is a public institution located in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UNM did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UNM are $19,890, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Political Science & Government at University of New Mexico - Main Campus

The University of Texas at Arlington ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region list. Located in Arlington, Texas, this large public school awarded 7 diplomas to qualified masters’s political science students in 2019-2020.

UT Arlington did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas at Arlington are $23,376, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full The University of Texas at Arlington Political Science & Government Report

#18 in overall quality

The University of Texas at San Antonio ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region list. UTSA is a large public school situated in San Antonio, Texas. It awarded 4 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UTSA, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas at San Antonio are $25,807, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UTSA Political Science & Government Report

University of Central Oklahoma landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region ranking. University of Central Oklahoma is a fairly large school located in Edmond, Oklahoma that handed out 1 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Central Oklahoma are $17,913, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science & Government at UCO

New Mexico State University - Main Campus came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region ranking. NMSU Main Campus is located in Las Cruces, New Mexico and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 masters’s political science degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at NMSU Main Campus are $18,275, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at New Mexico State University - Main Campus

#24

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona
#6 in overall quality

With a ranking of #24, University of Arizona did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region list. Located in Tucson, Arizona, this large public school handed out 4 degrees to qualified masters’s political science students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree political science students list, University of Arizona has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Arizona are $33,399, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Arizona Political Science & Government Report

#25

University of Dallas

Irving, Texas
#9 in overall quality

University of Dallas ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region list. This small school is located in Irving, Texas, and it awarded 4 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree political science students list, UD has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UD are $33,750, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at University of Dallas

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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