2027 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in District of Columbia

[Political Science & Government](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 6 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 District of Columbia
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
University Of The District Of Columbia earned the #1 spot for value among political science & government schools in District of Columbia. University Of The District Of Columbia is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Washington. In-state tuition and fees average $5,662, compared with $12,514 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $36,562 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of The District Of Columbia generally make around $49,935. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Catholic University Of America is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science & government, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Washington, Catholic University Of America is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,378. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $44,617. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Students looking for strong value in political science & government will find it at George Washington University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,710. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from George Washington University generally make around $62,004. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 47% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Georgetown University earned it the #4 place for political science & government. Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,089. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $16,500. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Georgetown University generally make around $64,297. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 13%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at American University earned it the #5 place for political science & government. American University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. In-state tuition and fees average $58,771. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $23,250. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $53,411. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Howard University earned the #6 position for value in political science & government this year. Located in the city of Washington, Howard University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $35,810 in tuition and fees. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Howard University generally make around $31,897. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 41%.
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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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.