2026 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in Texas
[Political Science & Government](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong political science & government education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 79 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value political science & government schools.
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2026 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in Texas
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in political science & government, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Political Science & Government Schools
Texas A And M University Central Texas earned the #1 spot for value among political science & government schools in Texas. Set in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,363, with out-of-state students paying around $17,155. Students borrow a median of $23,160 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Texas A And M University Central Texas generally make around $50,370. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M International University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science & government, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $14,606. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $18,475. That is a strong return on a $14,606 median debt. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Austin Community College District earned it the #3 place for political science & government. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Students borrow a median of $8,333 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $44,895. Set against $8,333 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in political science & government will find it at El Centro College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $14,557. Political Science & Government graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $41,295 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in political science & government will find it at The University Of Texas Pan American, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $10,250 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $24,804 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,250 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas At Dallas came in at #6 for value in political science & government this year. University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Dallas. Students from in state pay about $9,595 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston Victoria ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,149 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,941. Students borrow a median of $24,081 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Houston Victoria earn a median of $47,345 early in their careers. Set against $24,081 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Houston Community College earned the #8 position for value in political science & government this year. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,040, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $19,223. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $40,365. Set against $19,223 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin landed the #9 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,607, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $20,052 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earn a median of $60,503 early in their careers. Set against $20,052 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Rice University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $61,247 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $11,904. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $54,728. Set against $11,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Texas Womans University came in at #11 for value in political science & government this year. 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, compared with $18,480 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $30,162. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $39,272. Set against $30,162 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Lone Star College System ranked #12 on our 2026 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. Students borrow a median of $10,425 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Lone Star College System generally make around $39,954. Set against $10,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $20,000. Political Science & Government graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $30,235 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Lamar University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,905, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $26,988 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $52,678. That is a strong return on a $26,988 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At El Paso ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Students borrow a median of $21,097 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $26,182. Set against $21,097 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
University Of Houston ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $36,413. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Midwestern State University came in at #17 for value in political science & government this year. Midwestern State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wichita Falls. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,950, compared with $11,770 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $26,415. Political Science & Government graduates of Midwestern State University earn a median of $49,638 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,415 median debt. Midwestern State University admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of North Texas ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,309 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $17,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $34,195. Set against $17,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Texas A And M University San Antonio landed the #19 spot for political science & government value this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, Texas A And M University San Antonio is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,654, compared with $23,255 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $22,771. Political Science & Government graduates of Texas A And M University San Antonio earn a median of $45,681 early in their careers. Set against $22,771 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Prairie View A And M University landed the #20 spot for political science & government value this year. Set in the rural area of Prairie View, Prairie View A And M University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,299, with out-of-state students paying around $26,874. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $23,538 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Prairie View A And M University generally make around $53,784. That is a strong return on a $23,538 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
The University Of Texas At Arlington ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,950 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. Students borrow a median of $20,406 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington generally make around $31,550. That is a strong return on a $20,406 median debt. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Tyler landed the #22 spot for political science & government value this year. The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,512, with out-of-state students paying around $24,512. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $20,959. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $55,134. That is a strong return on a $20,959 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Houston Downtown came in at #23 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, with out-of-state students paying around $17,434. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $21,600. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $38,095. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Stephen F Austin State University placed #24 among the best values for political science & government. Located in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,128, compared with $20,968 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Stephen F Austin State University generally make around $33,386. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt. Stephen F Austin State University admits about 94% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Corpus Christi came in at #25 for value in political science & government this year. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Texas A And M University Corpus Christi is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $20,794. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $24,869. Political Science & Government graduates of Texas A And M University Corpus Christi earn a median of $33,968 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,869 median debt. Texas A And M University Corpus Christi admits about 89% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 42 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for political science & government this year:
More Political Science & Government Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 79 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 32 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.
