2026 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Political Science & Government](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 112 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 the The Plains States 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 Missouri Kansas City tops our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools in the The Plains States Region. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,371, with out-of-state students paying around $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%.
Students looking for strong value in political science & government will find it at Truman State University, which ranked #2. Truman State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kirksville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,838, compared with $18,566 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $26,649. Political Science & Government graduates of Truman State University earn a median of $39,813 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,649 median debt. Truman State University admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Missouri St Louis came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,120, compared with $37,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $36,050. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Missouri St Louis admits about 63% of applicants.
Washburn University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science & government, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,945, compared with $20,949 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $21,175. Political Science & Government graduates of Washburn University earn a median of $50,955 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,175 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Nebraska At Omaha one of the best values for political science & government. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public school located in the city of Omaha. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,718, compared with $23,206 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $22,119. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $46,884. Set against $22,119 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nebraska At Omaha admits about 87% of applicants.
Southeast Missouri State University placed #6 among the best values for political science & government. 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. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Southeast Missouri State University generally make around $43,255. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Grinnell College placed #7 among the best values for political science & government. Located in the town of Grinnell, Grinnell College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,196. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $17,500. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Grinnell College generally make around $36,662. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 14%.
Wichita State University landed the #8 spot for political science & government value this year. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,684, while out-of-state students pay about $19,869. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $21,000. Political Science & Government graduates of Wichita State University earn a median of $30,121 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Northern Iowa earned the #9 position 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, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $37,875. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Northern Iowa admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #10 spot for political science & government value this year. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $20,465 in student loans. 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%.
Fort Hays State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,923 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,741. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $30,468. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Fort Hays State University generally make around $30,454. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
North Dakota State University Main Campus landed the #12 spot for political science & government value this year. Set in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,910 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,564. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $24,475 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $26,635. Set against $24,475 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kansas ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,102, with out-of-state students paying around $30,432. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $22,249. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $33,700 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln placed #14 among the best values for political science & government. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. Students from in state pay about $10,434 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. 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. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Central Missouri placed #15 among the best values for political science & government. University Of Central Missouri is a large public school located in the town of Warrensburg. Students from in state pay about $10,050 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,600. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $23,678. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Central Missouri generally make around $35,556. That is a strong return on a $23,678 median debt. University Of Central Missouri admits about 64% of applicants.
Missouri State University Springfield placed #16 among the best values for political science & government. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $37,944. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Kansas State University earned the #17 position for value in political science & government this year. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,221, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $25,000. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $32,289. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Iowa State University landed the #18 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the city of Ames, Iowa State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $30,715. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Duluth came in at #19 for value in political science & government this year. University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public school located in the city of Duluth. In-state tuition and fees average $14,608, with out-of-state students paying around $20,134. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $20,089. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $38,942. That is a strong return on a $20,089 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Winona State University came in at #20 for value in political science & government this year. Winona State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Winona. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,576, compared with $17,308 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,875 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Winona State University generally make around $35,631. That is a strong return on a $25,875 median debt. Winona State University admits about 76% of applicants.
South Dakota State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,299 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,809 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from South Dakota State University generally make around $34,337. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
University Of Missouri Columbia landed the #22 spot for political science & government value this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,837, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $22,517. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $37,722 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,517 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Minnesota State University Mankato placed #23 among the best values for political science & government. Set in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,572 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,942 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,460 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Minnesota State University Mankato generally make around $53,088. Set against $25,460 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of North Dakota came in at #24 for value in political science & government this year. University Of North Dakota is a large public school located in the city of Grand Forks. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,951, with out-of-state students paying around $15,570. Students borrow a median of $25,110 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $64,378. Set against $25,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Dakota admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of South Dakota placed #25 among the best values for political science & government. Set in the town of Vermillion, University Of South Dakota is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,432, while out-of-state students pay about $12,942. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of South Dakota earn a median of $31,973 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 38 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for political science & government this year:
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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 · 112 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.
