2027 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
[Political Science & Government](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 26 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 the Rocky Mountains Region
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
Our analysis ranked Utah Valley University the best value for a degree in political science & government in the Rocky Mountains Region. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $21,413. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $36,857. That is a strong return on a $21,413 median debt.
Brigham Young University Idaho came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $16,551. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $32,983. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of Western Idaho earned it the #3 place for political science & government. Located in the rural area of Nampa, College Of Western Idaho is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,446, with out-of-state students paying around $7,454. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $12,497 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of College Of Western Idaho earn a median of $40,963 early in their careers.
Salt Lake Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,426, while out-of-state students pay about $14,244. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $10,855. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Salt Lake Community College generally make around $42,031. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 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. In-state tuition and fees average $6,557, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $19,176. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $53,920. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Colorado Denver placed #6 among the best values for political science & government. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,383, compared with $29,391 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $21,066 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $52,262. That is a strong return on a $21,066 median debt. University Of Colorado Denver admits about 75% of applicants.
Southern Utah University earned the #7 position for value in political science & government this year. Southern Utah University is a very large public school located in the town of Cedar City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,962, with out-of-state students paying around $21,192. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $12,886. Political Science & Government graduates of Southern Utah University earn a median of $44,998 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,886 median debt. Southern Utah University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Wyoming landed the #8 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,768 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,178. Students borrow a median of $23,933 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $39,869. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Idaho State University landed the #9 spot for political science & government value this year. Set in the city of Pocatello, Idaho State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,610, while out-of-state students pay about $27,720. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $40,988. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Utah State University placed #10 among the best values for political science & government. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,560, with out-of-state students paying around $24,993. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $17,581 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $38,317. Set against $17,581 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Utah State University admits about 92% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Provo placed #11 among the best values for political science & government. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Set against $11,745 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
University Of Idaho ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,084 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $21,643. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Idaho earn a median of $27,881 early in their careers. Set against $21,643 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Idaho admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Utah landed the #13 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $18,370 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $45,112. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver landed the #14 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,124 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,684 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of Metropolitan State College Of Denver earn a median of $39,920 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Mesa State College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the city of Grand Junction, Mesa State College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,927 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,124 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $22,310. Political Science & Government graduates of Mesa State College earn a median of $43,617 early in their careers. 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 ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a large public school located in the city of Colorado Springs. Students from in state pay about $10,906 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,039 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $17,625. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs earn a median of $37,295 early in their careers. 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 placed #17 among the best values for political science & government. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $33,671. Students borrow a median of $21,173 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $38,094. That is a strong return on a $21,173 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Fort Lewis College earned the #18 position for value in political science & government this year. Located in the town of Durango, Fort Lewis College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,958, compared with $21,526 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $18,888. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Fort Lewis College generally make around $30,676. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
The College Of Idaho landed the #19 spot for political science & government value this year. The College Of Idaho is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Caldwell. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,845. Students borrow a median of $23,789 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of The College Of Idaho earn a median of $30,968 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,789 median debt. The College Of Idaho admits about 49% of applicants.
Colorado State University Fort Collins earned the #20 position for value in political science & government this year. Located in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,373, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $36,324. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Boise State University landed the #21 spot for political science & government value this year. Set in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,048, while out-of-state students pay about $27,788. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $32,650. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Montana State University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the city of Bozeman, Montana State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,460, while out-of-state students pay about $33,287. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $20,540. 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. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Carroll College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the city of Helena, Carroll College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $41,484. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $24,912 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Carroll College generally make around $40,797. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
University Of Colorado Boulder ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,214 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,970. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $39,954. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Colorado Boulder admits about 78% of applicants.
Colorado College came in at #25 for value in political science & government this year. Colorado College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Colorado Springs. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,734. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $17,921. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Colorado College generally make around $37,342. Set against $17,921 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Colorado College admits about 18% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 26 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for political science & government this year:
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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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 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.
