2027 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Political Science & Government](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 45 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 the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in political science & government, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Political Science & Government Schools
For return on investment in political science & government, no school beat University Of Missouri Kansas City this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,371 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Students borrow a median of $13,102 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $60,324. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Truman State University earned it the #2 place for political science & government. Located in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,838, with out-of-state students paying around $18,566. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $26,649 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of Truman State University earn a median of $39,813 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Wichita State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,684 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,869. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $30,121. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in political science & government will find it at Bemidji State University, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,237. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $25,819. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $48,984. That is a strong return on a $25,819 median debt. The acceptance rate is 56%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Nebraska At Omaha one of the best values for political science & government. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,718 in tuition and fees, compared with $23,206 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $22,119 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of $46,884 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,119 median debt. University Of Nebraska At Omaha admits about 87% of applicants.
Fort Hays State University earned the #6 position for value in political science & government this year. Located in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,923, with out-of-state students paying around $17,741. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $30,468 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of Fort Hays State University earn a median of $30,454 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fort Hays State University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Missouri St Louis landed the #7 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,120, while out-of-state students pay about $37,620. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Missouri St Louis earn a median of $36,050 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Saint Cloud State University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Saint Cloud State University is a large public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,245. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $22,908 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Saint Cloud State University generally make around $28,991. That is a strong return on a $22,908 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #9 among the best values for political science & government. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,465 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $40,208 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,465 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Washburn University placed #10 among the best values for political science & government. Washburn University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Topeka. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,945, while out-of-state students pay about $20,949. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $21,175. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Washburn University generally make around $50,955. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southeast Missouri State University came in at #11 for value in political science & government this year. Set in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,903 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $19,500. Political Science & Government graduates of Southeast Missouri State University earn a median of $43,255 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Harris Stowe State University placed #12 among the best values for political science & government. Harris Stowe State University is a small public school located in the city of Saint Louis. Students from in state pay about $7,008 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,640. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $32,394. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Harris Stowe State University generally make around $31,173. That is a strong return on a $32,394 median debt.
University Of Nebraska At Kearney earned the #13 position for value in political science & government this year. University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kearney. Students from in state pay about $8,564 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,484. Students borrow a median of $22,173 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $46,744. Set against $22,173 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
North Dakota State University Main Campus ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Fargo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,910, with out-of-state students paying around $15,564. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $24,475 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of North Dakota State University Main Campus earn a median of $26,635 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Grinnell College came in at #15 for value in political science & government this year. Grinnell College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Grinnell. In-state tuition and fees average $68,196. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $17,500. Political Science & Government graduates of Grinnell College earn a median of $36,662 early in their careers. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 14%.
University Of Northern Iowa came in at #16 for value in political science & government this year. Set in the city of Cedar Falls, University Of Northern Iowa is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,936, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Northern Iowa generally make around $37,875. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln earned the #17 position for value in political science & government this year. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,434, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $36,364. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri State University Springfield landed the #18 spot for political science & government value this year. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. Students from in state pay about $9,502 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $37,944. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Kansas earned the #19 position for value in political science & government this year. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,102 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $22,249 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $33,700 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,249 median debt. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.
Nebraska Wesleyan University earned the #20 position for value in political science & government this year. Nebraska Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lincoln. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $43,572. Students borrow a median of $27,667 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $52,199. Set against $27,667 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Nebraska Wesleyan University admits about 80% of applicants.
Winona State University placed #21 among the best values for political science & government. Set in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,576, while out-of-state students pay about $17,308. Students borrow a median of $25,875 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $35,631. That is a strong return on a $25,875 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of North Dakota placed #22 among the best values for political science & government. Located in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,951, while out-of-state students pay about $15,570. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $25,110 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $64,378. That is a strong return on a $25,110 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of Minnesota Duluth came in at #23 for value in political science & government this year. Set in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,608, compared with $20,134 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $20,089. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $38,942. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Minnesota Duluth admits about 89% of applicants.
Iowa State University landed the #24 spot for political science & government value this year. Set in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $30,715. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Minnesota State University Moorhead came in at #25 for value in political science & government this year. Located in the suburb of Moorhead, Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,428. Students borrow a median of $22,125 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Minnesota State University Moorhead generally make around $33,220. That is a strong return on a $22,125 median debt. Minnesota State University Moorhead admits about 59% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 45 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in political science & government:
Narrow Political Science & Government Schools by State
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. 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 · 45 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 45 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.
