2027 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in New Jersey

[Political Science & Government](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 11 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value political science & government schools.
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2027 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in New Jersey
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in political science & government, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Political Science & Government Schools
Leading the list is Princeton University, our #1 best value for political science & government in New Jersey. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,688. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $63,317. 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 Montclair State University, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,912, while out-of-state students pay about $26,022. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Montclair State University earn a median of $26,704 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Kean University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,299, while out-of-state students pay about $22,446. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $30,436. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
A rank of #4 makes Rutgers University Camden one of the best values for political science & government. Located in the city of Camden, Rutgers University Camden is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $17,764 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $37,276. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $24,188. Political Science & Government graduates of Rutgers University Camden earn a median of $39,723 early in their careers. Set against $24,188 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University Newark came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the city of Newark, Rutgers University Newark is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,250, compared with $36,762 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $24,188 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of Rutgers University Newark earn a median of $44,285 early in their careers. Set against $24,188 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey landed the #6 spot for political science & government value this year. The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a large public school located in the rural area of Galloway. In-state tuition and fees average $16,266, with out-of-state students paying around $24,524. Students borrow a median of $21,675 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey generally make around $30,891. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Rowan University landed the #7 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,574, while out-of-state students pay about $26,932. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $24,265. Political Science & Government graduates of Rowan University earn a median of $26,042 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University New Brunswick placed #8 among the best values for political science & government. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,188 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $44,285. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
The College Of New Jersey came in at #9 for value in political science & government this year. Located in the suburb of Ewing, The College Of New Jersey is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $19,632 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,752. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $25,625 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $40,229. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Monmouth University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the suburb of West Long Branch, Monmouth University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $46,552 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $30,366. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Seton Hall University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of South Orange. In-state tuition and fees average $53,170. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Seton Hall University earn a median of $28,138 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.