2027 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in the Southeast Region
[Political Science & Government](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 154 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 the Southeast 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
University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among political science & government schools in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $16,068 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $31,574. That is a strong return on a $16,068 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned it the #2 place for political science & government. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $15,100 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $41,200. That is a strong return on a $15,100 median debt. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Berea College one of the best values for political science & government. Set in the town of Berea, Berea College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,658. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $5,801. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Berea College generally make around $31,428. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 19%.
Florida State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science & government, landing the #4 spot this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Students borrow a median of $18,700 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $40,695. That is a strong return on a $18,700 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of South Florida Main Campus one of the best values for political science & government. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $20,609 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $34,965. That is a strong return on a $20,609 median debt. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
American Public University System landed the #6 spot for political science & government value this year. American Public University System is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town. In-state tuition and fees average $8,400. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $18,304 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of American Public University System earn a median of $63,036 early in their careers. Set against $18,304 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Murray State University landed the #7 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,900, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Students borrow a median of $23,420 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $48,423. Set against $23,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Florida International University landed the #8 spot for political science & government value this year. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $15,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $26,983. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Florida placed #9 among the best values for political science & government. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,964, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. Students borrow a median of $17,276 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $37,841 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,276 median debt. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida earned the #10 position for value in political science & government this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $21,344. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $35,937 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.
Florida Atlantic University came in at #11 for value in political science & government this year. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $31,641 early in their careers. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
The University Of West Florida ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. The University Of West Florida is a large public school located in the rural area of Pensacola. Students from in state pay about $5,776 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $19,677 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $34,484 early in their careers. Set against $19,677 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
University Of North Georgia placed #13 among the best values for political science & government. University Of North Georgia is a very large public school located in the town of Dahlonega. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,444, while out-of-state students pay about $16,956. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $22,026 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of North Georgia earn a median of $37,227 early in their careers. Set against $22,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Northern Kentucky University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,088, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $23,250. Political Science & Government graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $52,565 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia earned the #15 position for value in political science & government this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $22,171. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $39,842. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #16 for value in political science & government this year. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public school located in the city of Greensboro. In-state tuition and fees average $7,661, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $25,000. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $30,925 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
North Carolina A And T State University came in at #17 for value in political science & government this year. North Carolina A And T State University is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,813, compared with $20,673 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,264 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of North Carolina A And T State University earn a median of $42,310 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Carolina A And T State University admits about 50% of applicants.
Florida Gulf Coast University placed #18 among the best values for political science & government. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,118, compared with $25,162 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $21,478. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $35,578. That is a strong return on a $21,478 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
The University Of Tennessee Martin placed #19 among the best values for political science & government. The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Martin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,560, with out-of-state students paying around $16,600. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $23,770 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $40,400. That is a strong return on a $23,770 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Eastern Kentucky University came in at #20 for value in political science & government this year. Set in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,320, with out-of-state students paying around $21,230. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $21,498. Political Science & Government graduates of Eastern Kentucky University earn a median of $35,899 early in their careers. Set against $21,498 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Marshall University earned the #21 position for value in political science & government this year. Set in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,162, while out-of-state students pay about $20,342. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $24,233 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of Marshall University earn a median of $52,481 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Marshall University admits about 96% of applicants.
Morehead State University came in at #22 for value in political science & government this year. Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Morehead. In-state tuition and fees average $10,024, while out-of-state students pay about $14,980. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $25,896 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $41,046. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Morehead State University admits about 77% of applicants.
Western Kentucky University earned the #23 position for value in political science & government this year. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $23,294. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Fayetteville State University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fayetteville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,353, with out-of-state students paying around $8,353. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $29,390. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $41,449. That is a strong return on a $29,390 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Vanderbilt University earned the #25 position for value in political science & government this year. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $46,843. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in political science & government:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 154 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 154 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.
