2027 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in Colorado

[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 9 schools to find the best return on investment for political science & government students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in Colorado
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in political science & government, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Political Science & Government Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Colorado Denver the best value for a degree in political science & government in Colorado. University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. In-state tuition and fees average $10,383, with out-of-state students paying around $29,391. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $21,066 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $52,262. Set against $21,066 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
A rank of #2 makes Metropolitan State College Of Denver one of the best values for political science & government. Set in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,124 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,684 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $23,500. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $39,920. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Students looking for strong value in political science & government will find it at Mesa State College, which ranked #3. Mesa State College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Junction. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,927, while out-of-state students pay about $25,124. Students borrow a median of $22,310 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Mesa State College earn a median of $43,617 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Students looking for strong value in political science & government will find it at University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Colorado Springs, University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,906, while out-of-state students pay about $25,039. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $17,625 in student loans. 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.
Fort Lewis College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Fort Lewis College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Durango. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,958, compared with $21,526 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $18,888. Political Science & Government graduates of Fort Lewis College earn a median of $30,676 early in their careers. Set against $18,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Colorado State University Fort Collins ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,373, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Colorado State University Fort Collins generally make around $36,324. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado Boulder placed #7 among the best values for political science & government. Located in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,214, with out-of-state students paying around $42,970. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Colorado Boulder generally make around $39,954. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. University Of Colorado Boulder admits about 78% of applicants.
Colorado College earned the #8 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,734. Students borrow a median of $17,921 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $37,342. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Colorado College admits about 18% of applicants.
University Of Denver came in at #9 for value in political science & government this year. University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Denver. In-state tuition and fees average $61,398. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Denver earn a median of $38,059 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Denver admits about 78% of applicants.
More Political Science & Government Rankings
View All Political Science & Government Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.