2027 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in Minnesota
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 13 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 Minnesota
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
Our analysis ranked Bemidji State University the best value for a degree in political science & government in Minnesota. Located in the town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a moderately-sized public university. 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. Set against $25,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bemidji State University admits about 56% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $20,465. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $40,208. Set against $20,465 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Saint Cloud State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,245. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $22,908 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $28,991. Set against $22,908 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Cloud State University admits about 95% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in political science & government will find it at Winona State University, which ranked #4. Winona State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Winona. Students from in state pay about $10,576 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,308. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $25,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Winona State University generally make around $35,631. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Minnesota Duluth earned it the #5 place for political science & government. Set in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,608 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,134. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $20,089. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $38,942. Set against $20,089 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Minnesota State University Moorhead landed the #6 spot for political science & government value this year. Set in the suburb of Moorhead, Minnesota State University Moorhead is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,428 in tuition and fees. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $22,125 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $33,220. Set against $22,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Minnesota State University Moorhead admits about 59% of applicants.
Minnesota State University Mankato landed the #7 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,572, compared with $18,942 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $25,460. 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. Minnesota State University Mankato admits about 88% of applicants.
Gustavus Adolphus College came in at #8 for value in political science & government this year. Located in the town of Saint Peter, Gustavus Adolphus College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,076. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Gustavus Adolphus College generally make around $38,463. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
St Olaf College placed #9 among the best values for political science & government. Set in the town of Northfield, St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $59,760. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $30,953. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Concordia College At Moorhead ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the suburb of Moorhead, Concordia College At Moorhead is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,170. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Concordia College At Moorhead generally make around $27,466. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Saint Johns University placed #11 among the best values for political science & government. Located in the rural area of Collegeville, Saint Johns University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $55,816. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $27,000. Political Science & Government graduates of Saint Johns University earn a median of $20,939 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the city of Saint Paul, University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $54,398. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $22,750 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $34,775. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Macalester College landed the #13 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Macalester College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,104. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $39,439. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Macalester College admits about 28% of applicants.
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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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.
