2026 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
[Political Science & Government](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 50 schools to find the best return on investment for political science & government students.
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2026 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in political science & government, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Political Science & Government Schools
Brigham Young University Idaho earned the #1 spot for value among political science & government schools in the Rocky Mountains Region. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $16,551 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Brigham Young University Idaho generally make around $32,983. Set against $16,551 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.
Salt Lake Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,244 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,855 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Salt Lake Community College generally make around $42,031. Set against $10,855 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in political science & government will find it at Utah Valley University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $21,413 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $36,857. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Weber State University one of the best values for political science & government. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,557 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Students borrow a median of $19,176 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $53,920 early in their careers. Set against $19,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in political science & government will find it at University Of Wyoming, which ranked #5. University Of Wyoming is a large public school located in the town of Laramie. In-state tuition and fees average $7,768, with out-of-state students paying around $24,178. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $23,933. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Wyoming generally make around $39,869. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants.
College Of Western Idaho ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the rural area of Nampa, College Of Western Idaho is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,446 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,454. Students borrow a median of $12,497 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of College Of Western Idaho earn a median of $40,963 early in their careers.
Southern Utah University came in at #7 for value in political science & government this year. Southern Utah University is a very large public school located in the town of Cedar City. In-state tuition and fees average $6,962, with out-of-state students paying around $21,192. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $12,886. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Southern Utah University generally make around $44,998. That is a strong return on a $12,886 median debt. Southern Utah University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Utah ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Students borrow a median of $18,370 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $45,112. That is a strong return on a $18,370 median debt. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
Utah State University earned the #9 position for value in political science & government this year. Located in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,560, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $17,581 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of Utah State University earn a median of $38,317 early in their careers. Set against $17,581 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Provo landed the #10 spot for political science & government value this year. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,688. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $11,745 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $47,020. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Idaho placed #11 among the best values for political science & government. University Of Idaho is a large public school located in the town of Moscow. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,084, with out-of-state students paying around $28,320. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $21,643 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Idaho generally make around $27,881. Set against $21,643 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Colorado State University Pueblo earned the #12 position for value in political science & government this year. Colorado State University Pueblo is a large public school located in the city of Pueblo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,720, compared with $17,944 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $25,325. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $49,098. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Colorado State University Pueblo admits about 95% of applicants.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver placed #13 among the best values for political science & government. Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,124, with out-of-state students paying around $30,684. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $39,920. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Mesa State College placed #14 among the best values for political science & government. Mesa State College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Junction. Students from in state pay about $9,927 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,124. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $22,310. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Mesa State College generally make around $43,617. That is a strong return on a $22,310 median debt. Mesa State College admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs landed the #15 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the city of Colorado Springs, University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,906, with out-of-state students paying around $25,039. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $17,625. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $37,295. That is a strong return on a $17,625 median debt. University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs admits about 97% of applicants.
The University Of Montana ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the city of Missoula, The University Of Montana is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,552, with out-of-state students paying around $33,671. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $21,173. Political Science & Government graduates of The University Of Montana earn a median of $38,094 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Idaho State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Idaho State University is a large public school located in the city of Pocatello. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,610, while out-of-state students pay about $27,720. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $40,988. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Northern Colorado landed the #18 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,901, while out-of-state students pay about $26,979. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $37,458. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado Denver placed #19 among the best values for political science & government. University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. Students from in state pay about $10,383 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,391. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $21,066. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Colorado Denver earn a median of $52,262 early in their careers. Set against $21,066 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Colorado State University Fort Collins landed the #20 spot for political science & government value this year. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Collins. Students from in state pay about $13,373 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $19,500. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $36,324. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Boise State University earned the #21 position for value in political science & government this year. Located in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,048 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,788. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $21,500. Political Science & Government graduates of Boise State University earn a median of $32,650 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Colorado Boulder ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public school located in the city of Boulder. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,214, while out-of-state students pay about $42,970. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Colorado Boulder generally make around $39,954. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Montana State University landed the #23 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the city of Bozeman, Montana State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,460 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,287. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $20,540 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of Montana State University earn a median of $35,476 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Colorado College earned the #24 position for value in political science & government this year. Set in the city of Colorado Springs, Colorado College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $70,734. Students borrow a median of $17,921 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Colorado College generally make around $37,342. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 18% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Denver came in at #25 for value in political science & government this year. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,398. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $38,059. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Denver admits about 78% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 50 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.
