2027 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in New York
[Political Science & Government](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong political science & government education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 49 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 New York
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
Cuny Hunter College earned the #1 spot for value among political science & government schools in New York. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $9,531 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $35,154 early in their careers. Set against $9,531 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earned it the #2 place for political science & government. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,464, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $12,000. Political Science & Government graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $31,005 early in their careers. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $16,274 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $29,577. That is a strong return on a $16,274 median debt. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
Cuny Lehman College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science & government, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Students borrow a median of $12,334 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $43,059. Set against $12,334 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice one of the best values for political science & government. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $14,820. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $35,828. That is a strong return on a $14,820 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny City College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $11,500. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $29,823. Set against $11,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Cuny Queens College earned the #7 position for value in political science & government this year. Cuny Queens College is a large public school located in the city of Queens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $11,000. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $34,863. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College landed the #8 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,170, compared with $8,050 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $8,794 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $30,111. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny College Of Staten Island earned the #9 position for value in political science & government this year. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,490, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Students borrow a median of $12,603 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $34,610. Set against $12,603 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.
Suffolk County Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,630, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $11,246 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $35,667. That is a strong return on a $11,246 median debt.
Suny College At Old Westbury ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,372, with out-of-state students paying around $18,842. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Suny College At Old Westbury earn a median of $34,666 early in their careers. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Albany placed #12 among the best values for political science & government. Located in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,601, with out-of-state students paying around $30,991. Students borrow a median of $22,750 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $33,251. That is a strong return on a $22,750 median debt. Suny At Albany admits about 69% of applicants.
Niagara University landed the #13 spot for political science & government value this year. Niagara University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Niagara University. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,345. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $26,208 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Niagara University generally make around $51,918. That is a strong return on a $26,208 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Stony Brook University earned the #14 position for value in political science & government this year. Set in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,931 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,741 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,406 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $36,480 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Potsdam ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the town of Potsdam, Suny College At Potsdam is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,768 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,678 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $26,540 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $32,485. Set against $26,540 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Suny At Geneseo earned the #16 position for value in political science & government this year. Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Geneseo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,999, with out-of-state students paying around $19,569. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Suny At Geneseo generally make around $27,814. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Brockport ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the town of Brockport, Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,752, while out-of-state students pay about $15,822. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $25,370 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of Suny College At Brockport earn a median of $24,036 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Plattsburgh earned the #18 position for value in political science & government this year. Located in the town of Plattsburgh, Suny College At Plattsburgh is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,035, compared with $18,945 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $24,106. Political Science & Government graduates of Suny College At Plattsburgh earn a median of $29,164 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #19 spot for political science & government value this year. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $22,943 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $61,077. That is a strong return on a $22,943 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
State University Of New York At New Paltz ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,572, compared with $18,822 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from State University Of New York At New Paltz generally make around $24,676. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Binghamton landed the #21 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,567, with out-of-state students paying around $30,447. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $20,000. Political Science & Government graduates of Suny At Binghamton earn a median of $37,194 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Oneonta landed the #22 spot for political science & government value this year. Set in the town of Oneonta, Suny College At Oneonta is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,831, with out-of-state students paying around $19,781. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $22,375 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of Suny College At Oneonta earn a median of $32,295 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
University At Buffalo placed #23 among the best values for political science & government. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,936, with out-of-state students paying around $31,536. Students borrow a median of $20,750 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $27,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants.
Suny College At Cortland earned the #24 position for value in political science & government this year. Located in the town of Cortland, Suny College At Cortland is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,874, compared with $18,784 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $24,138. Political Science & Government graduates of Suny College At Cortland earn a median of $29,143 early in their careers. Set against $24,138 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Cortland admits about 60% of applicants.
Le Moyne College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the suburb of Syracuse, Le Moyne College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $40,330. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $26,400. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Le Moyne College generally make around $34,058. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Rest of the Top 49 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s political science & government value ranking:
More Political Science & Government Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 49 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 49 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.
