2027 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in Texas
[Political Science & Government](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 38 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for political science & government students.
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2027 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
Leading the list is El Centro College, our #1 best value for political science & government in Texas. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,730 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $14,557 in student loans. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas A And M International University earned it the #2 place for political science & government. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,894 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Students borrow a median of $14,606 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $18,475. Set against $14,606 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Students borrow a median of $10,250 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $24,804. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Houston Victoria one of the best values for political science & government. University Of Houston Victoria is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Victoria. In-state tuition and fees average $7,149, with out-of-state students paying around $16,941. Students borrow a median of $24,081 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $47,345. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in political science & government will find it at Houston Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,040, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $19,223 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Houston Community College generally make around $40,365. That is a strong return on a $19,223 median debt.
Austin Community College District ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $8,333 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $44,895. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Houston Downtown came in at #7 for value in political science & government this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Downtown is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,582, compared with $17,434 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $21,600. 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. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio placed #8 among the best values for political science & government. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $30,235. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At El Paso ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $21,097. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $26,182. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Rice University came in at #10 for value in political science & government this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $54,728. That is a strong return on a $11,904 median debt. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University San Antonio placed #11 among the best values for political science & government. Texas A And M University San Antonio is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of San Antonio. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,654, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $22,771 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University San Antonio admits about 93% of applicants.
Lone Star College System landed the #12 spot for political science & government value this year. Set in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public institution. 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. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $39,954. Set against $10,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas Womans University placed #13 among the best values for political science & government. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,640, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Students borrow a median of $30,162 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of $39,272 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Houston ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $36,413. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Arlington landed the #15 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,950, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $20,406 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of The University Of Texas At Arlington earn a median of $31,550 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Texas A And M University Kingsville earned the #16 position for value in political science & government this year. Located in the town of Kingsville, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,892, while out-of-state students pay about $25,746. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $25,531. Political Science & Government graduates of Texas A And M University Kingsville earn a median of $44,510 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,531 median debt. Texas A And M University Kingsville admits about 91% of applicants.
Stephen F Austin State University landed the #17 spot for political science & government value this year. Stephen F Austin State University is a large public school located in the town of Nacogdoches. In-state tuition and fees average $11,128, compared with $20,968 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $33,386. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
The University Of Texas At Tyler placed #18 among the best values for political science & government. Set in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,512, compared with $24,512 for out-of-state students. 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. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of North Texas came in at #19 for value in political science & government this year. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $17,750 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $34,195. Set against $17,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Prairie View A And M University landed the #20 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the rural area of Prairie View, Prairie View A And M University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,299, compared with $26,874 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $23,538. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $53,784. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Texas A And M University Corpus Christi ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Texas A And M University Corpus Christi is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $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. The acceptance rate is 89%.
The University Of Texas At Dallas earned the #22 position for value in political science & government this year. The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public school located in the city of Richardson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,644, while out-of-state students pay about $40,144. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $34,429. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Sam Houston State University placed #23 among the best values for political science & government. Set in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,228 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,068 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,125 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $46,365. Set against $25,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Texas State University San Marcos earned the #24 position for value in political science & government this year. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $22,760 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $33,783. That is a strong return on a $22,760 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Texas Tech University landed the #25 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,852, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $23,375. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $35,114. Set against $23,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 38 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s political science & government value ranking:
More Political Science & Government Rankings
View All Political Science & Government Rankings >
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 · 38 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 38 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.
