2027 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in Maryland

[Political Science & Government](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 13 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 Maryland
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 Maryland College Park this year. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Baltimore is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science & government, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Baltimore is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Baltimore. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $23,984. Students borrow a median of $29,681 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Baltimore generally make around $56,837. That is a strong return on a $29,681 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science & government, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public school located in the suburb of Baltimore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,256, while out-of-state students pay about $31,225. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Maryland Baltimore County earn a median of $33,549 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. University Of Maryland Baltimore County admits about 72% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in political science & government will find it at Morgan State University, which ranked #4. Morgan State University is a large public school located in the city of Baltimore. Students from in state pay about $8,229 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,124 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $29,750 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $37,900. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
A rank of #5 makes Towson University one of the best values for political science & government. Towson University is a very large public school located in the city of Towson. In-state tuition and fees average $11,728, with out-of-state students paying around $29,820. Students borrow a median of $20,875 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Towson University earn a median of $42,648 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Salisbury University placed #6 among the best values for political science & government. Located in the suburb of Salisbury, Salisbury University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,084, compared with $22,174 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $23,160. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $33,397. Set against $23,160 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Johns Hopkins University landed the #7 spot for political science & government value this year. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $83,555. Set against $13,426 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
St Marys College Of Maryland placed #8 among the best values for political science & government. Set in the rural area of St. Mary's City, St Marys College Of Maryland is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,298, while out-of-state students pay about $31,374. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $25,000. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $41,665. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Mcdaniel College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the town of Westminster, Mcdaniel College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $52,081 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $25,362. Political Science & Government graduates of Mcdaniel College earn a median of $54,904 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland University College landed the #10 spot for political science & government value this year. Set in the suburb of Adelphi, University Of Maryland University College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,136, while out-of-state students pay about $12,336. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $17,600. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Maryland University College generally make around $62,476. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mount St Marys University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the rural area of Emmitsburg, Mount St Marys University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,630. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Mount St Marys University generally make around $29,800. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Mount St Marys University admits about 74% of applicants.
Washington College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the town of Chestertown, Washington College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $55,081 in tuition and fees. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $24,721 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Washington College generally make around $36,741. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Washington College admits about 57% of applicants.
Loyola University Baltimore placed #13 among the best values for political science & government. Located in the city of Baltimore, Loyola University Baltimore is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $57,150 in tuition and fees. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of Loyola University Baltimore earn a median of $44,572 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.