2026 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in Missouri
[Political Science & Government](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 26 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 Missouri
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 Truman State University the best value for a degree in political science & government in Missouri. Set in the town of Kirksville, Truman State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,838, with out-of-state students paying around $18,566. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $26,649 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Truman State University generally make around $39,813. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Missouri St Louis came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, University Of Missouri St Louis is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,120, while out-of-state students pay about $37,620. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $25,250. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Missouri St Louis generally make around $36,050. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri St Louis admits about 63% of applicants.
University Of Missouri Kansas City came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,371, compared with $32,271 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $13,102. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $60,324. That is a strong return on a $13,102 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Southeast Missouri State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,903. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Southeast Missouri State University generally make around $43,255. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Southeast Missouri State University admits about 74% of applicants.
University Of Central Missouri came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the town of Warrensburg, University Of Central Missouri is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,050, compared with $18,600 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $23,678 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Missouri admits about 64% of applicants.
Missouri State University Springfield earned the #6 position for value in political science & government this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $37,944. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Missouri Columbia landed the #7 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,837 in tuition and fees, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $22,517 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $37,722. Set against $22,517 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Drury University came in at #8 for value in political science & government this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Drury University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $36,745. Students borrow a median of $26,641 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $37,267. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Washington University In St Louis landed the #9 spot for political science & government value this year. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,790. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $18,500. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Washington University In St Louis generally make around $68,303. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. Washington University In St Louis admits about 12% of applicants.
Saint Louis University Main Campus ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Saint Louis University Main Campus is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $55,760. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Saint Louis University Main Campus generally make around $30,502. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
