2027 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in the Southwest 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 54 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 Southwest 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
El Centro College tops our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Students borrow a median of $14,557 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $41,295. Set against $14,557 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas A And M International University earned it the #2 place for political science & government. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $14,606 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $18,475 early in their careers. Set against $14,606 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 44%.
Students looking for strong value in political science & government will find it at The University Of Texas Pan American, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $10,250 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $24,804. Set against $10,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston Victoria came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Victoria. Students from in state pay about $7,149 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,941. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $24,081 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Houston Victoria generally make around $47,345. That is a strong return on a $24,081 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
A rank of #5 makes Central New Mexico Community College one of the best values for political science & government. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $34,751. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.
Houston Community College placed #6 among the best values for political science & government. Houston Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $2,040, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. Students borrow a median of $19,223 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Houston Community College earn a median of $40,365 early in their careers. Set against $19,223 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Austin Community College District placed #7 among the best values for political science & government. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $8,333 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers. Set against $8,333 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oklahoma City Community College came in at #8 for value in political science & government this year. Oklahoma City Community College is a large public school located in the city of Oklahoma City. Students from in state pay about $4,059 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,810. Students borrow a median of $13,919 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Oklahoma City Community College earn a median of $39,848 early in their careers. Set against $13,919 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New Mexico State University Main Campus ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. In-state tuition and fees average $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $35,393. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston Downtown came in at #10 for value in political science & government this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Downtown is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,582, compared with $17,434 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $21,600 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Houston Downtown earn a median of $38,095 early in their careers. Set against $21,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Houston Downtown admits about 90% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #11 for value in political science & government this year. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $30,235 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At El Paso landed the #12 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,544, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $21,097 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $26,182. That is a strong return on a $21,097 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University San Antonio ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the city of San Antonio, Texas A And M University San Antonio is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,654, with out-of-state students paying around $23,255. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $22,771 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $45,681. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University San Antonio admits about 93% of applicants.
Lone Star College System ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,664, while out-of-state students pay about $7,512. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $10,425 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Lone Star College System generally make around $39,954. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas Womans University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. Students from in state pay about $8,640 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $30,162 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of $39,272 early in their careers. Set against $30,162 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Rice University landed the #16 spot for political science & government value this year. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,247. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $54,728. Set against $11,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Estrella Mountain Community College landed the #17 spot for political science & government value this year. Set in the suburb of Avondale, Estrella Mountain Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $21,752. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $78,359. Set against $21,752 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern Arizona University placed #18 among the best values for political science & government. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,619, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $35,220. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Houston ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $36,413. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Kingsville landed the #20 spot for political science & government value this year. Set in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,892 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,746. Students borrow a median of $25,531 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $44,510. That is a strong return on a $25,531 median debt. Texas A And M University Kingsville admits about 91% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Arlington landed the #21 spot for political science & government value this year. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public school located in the city of Arlington. In-state tuition and fees average $11,950, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $20,406 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $31,550. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.
Arizona State University landed the #22 spot for political science & government value this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $19,257. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $47,626. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Tyler came in at #23 for value in political science & government this year. The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. Students from in state pay about $9,512 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,512. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $20,959 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $55,134. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Stephen F Austin State University placed #24 among the best values for political science & government. Stephen F Austin State University is a large public school located in the town of Nacogdoches. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,128, with out-of-state students paying around $20,968. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of Stephen F Austin State University earn a median of $33,386 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Prairie View A And M University came in at #25 for value in political science & government this year. Prairie View A And M University is a large public school located in the rural area of Prairie View. Students from in state pay about $11,299 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,874 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $23,538 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of Prairie View A And M University earn a median of $53,784 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,538 median debt. Prairie View A And M University admits about 79% of applicants.
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
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 · 54 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 54 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.
