2026 Best Value Political Science And Government Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Political Science And Government graduate certificate degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 1304 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor analyzed schools to build this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Political Science And Government Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the best-value schools below:
Leading the list is University Of Nebraska At Omaha, our #1 best-value Political Science And Government school in the United States. This public school is set in Omaha, NE. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,718, while out-of-state students pay about $23,206. Students borrow a median of $22,119 to complete their Political Science And Government program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $53,909. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nebraska At Omaha admits about 87% of applicants. Get the full University Of Nebraska At Omaha report
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Sam Houston State University earned it the #2 place in the United States. Sam Houston State University is a public school based in Huntsville, TX. Students from in state pay about $9,228 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,068 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $25,125 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,211 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $25,125 median debt. About 90% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Sam Houston State University
A rank of #3 makes Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University one of the best values in the United States. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public school based in Blacksburg, VA. In-state tuition and fees average $15,948, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University Political Science And Government students take on a median of $24,250 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $81,698. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%. Read more about Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
You'll get strong value at University Of Memphis, which ranked #4 this year. Based in Memphis, TN, University Of Memphis is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,728, compared with $15,384 for out-of-state students. University Of Memphis Political Science And Government students take on a median of $24,450 in debt. University Of Memphis alumni report median earnings of $48,458 a decade after entry. Set against $24,450 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 72% of those who apply are admitted. More on University Of Memphis
University Of Pennsylvania came in at #5 on this year's best-value Political Science And Government ranking in the United States. Located in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,686. University Of Pennsylvania Political Science And Government students take on a median of $14,722 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $111,371 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%. Read more about University Of Pennsylvania
George Washington University offered strong value this year, earning the #6 position. Located in Washington, DC, George Washington University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,710. The median Political Science And Government program debt is $23,000. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $90,873. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. George Washington University has an acceptance rate of 47%. More on George Washington University
Florida International University placed #7 among the best-value Political Science And Government schools in the United States. This public school is set in Miami, FL. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Graduates carry a median of $15,250 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $60,249. Set against $15,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 55% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Florida International University
Indiana University Bloomington offered strong value this year, earning the #8 position. Indiana University Bloomington is a public school based in Bloomington, IN. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. The median Political Science And Government program debt is $17,951. Median earnings reach $63,742 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $17,951 median debt. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants. See the full Indiana University Bloomington profile
University Of Florida landed the #9 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Gainesville, FL. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. The median Political Science And Government program debt is $16,068. University Of Florida alumni report median earnings of $71,588 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $16,068 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on University Of Florida
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Greensboro, NC. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro alumni report median earnings of $48,160 a decade after entry. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%. Read the full report on University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
The University Of Texas At El Paso ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best-value Political Science And Government schools. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a public school based in El Paso, TX. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Students borrow a median of $21,097 to complete their Political Science And Government program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,923. That is a strong return on a $21,097 median debt. The University Of Texas At El Paso has an acceptance rate of 100%. Read the full report on The University Of Texas At El Paso
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #12 spot for value in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in New York, NY. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. Columbia University In The City Of New York Political Science And Government students take on a median of $22,943 in debt. Median earnings reach $102,491 ten years out. Set against $22,943 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Columbia University In The City Of New York has an acceptance rate of 4%. Read more about Columbia University In The City Of New York
University Of Central Florida offered strong value this year, earning the #13 position. This public school is set in Orlando, FL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. University Of Central Florida Political Science And Government students take on a median of $21,344 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $58,308 ten years after entry. Set against $21,344 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants. Read more about University Of Central Florida
University Of Massachusetts Boston placed #14 among the best-value Political Science And Government schools in the United States. This public school is set in Boston, MA. Students from in state pay about $15,898 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,115 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,824 to complete their Political Science And Government program here. University Of Massachusetts Boston alumni report median earnings of $65,865 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Boston has an acceptance rate of 84%. Get the full University Of Massachusetts Boston report
St Johns University New York placed #15 among the best-value Political Science And Government schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Queens, NY. In-state tuition and fees average $53,529. Typical Political Science And Government student debt is $26,827. Median earnings reach $69,571 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $26,827 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%. Read more about St Johns University New York
Austin Peay State University came in at #16 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Austin Peay State University
Centenary College landed the #17 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Centenary College
University Of Baltimore placed #18 among the best-value Political Science And Government schools in the United States. Read more about University Of Baltimore
University Of Nebraska Lincoln offered strong value this year, earning the #19 position. More on University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Widener University Main Campus landed the #20 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Widener University Main Campus
Augsburg College
Augsburg College came in at #21 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Augsburg College
East Central University came in at #22 in this year's value ranking. See the full East Central University profile
Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham landed the #23 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham report
St Francis College came in at #24 in this year's value ranking. Read more about St Francis College
University Of Massachusetts Lowell landed the #25 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full University Of Massachusetts Lowell report
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Political Science And Government Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also delivered strong value this year:
University Of Rhode Island landed the #26 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full University Of Rhode Island report
University Of Wisconsin Superior ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best-value Political Science And Government schools. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Superior
Clovis Community College Fresno landed the #28 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Clovis Community College Fresno report
College Of Western Idaho placed #29 among the best-value Political Science And Government schools in the United States. Read more about College Of Western Idaho
Laney College
Laney College came in at #30 in this year's value ranking. See the full Laney College profile
Stanford University landed the #31 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Stanford University report
Suny College At Plattsburgh placed #32 among the best-value Political Science And Government schools in the United States. More on Suny College At Plattsburgh
University Of Mary came in at #33 in this year's value ranking. More on University Of Mary
University Of Utah ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best-value Political Science And Government schools. Read the full report on University Of Utah
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best-value Political Science And Government schools. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Whitewater
Western Nebraska Community College came in at #36 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Western Nebraska Community College
College Of Notre Dame Of Maryland placed #37 among the best-value Political Science And Government schools in the United States. See the full College Of Notre Dame Of Maryland profile
Folsom Lake College offered strong value this year, earning the #38 position. Read more about Folsom Lake College
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania landed the #39 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania
Millikin University came in at #40 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Millikin University
University Of Alaska Anchorage offered strong value this year, earning the #41 position. See the full University Of Alaska Anchorage profile
University Of California Irvine ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best-value Political Science And Government schools. See the full University Of California Irvine profile
University Of Portland came in at #43 in this year's value ranking. Read more about University Of Portland
Washington Adventist University ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best-value Political Science And Government schools. More on Washington Adventist University
Clark Atlanta University offered strong value this year, earning the #45 position. Read more about Clark Atlanta University
Roanoke College
Roanoke College offered strong value this year, earning the #46 position. Get the full Roanoke College report
Suny At Fredonia
Suny At Fredonia came in at #47 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Suny At Fredonia report
University Of Northern Iowa came in at #48 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on University Of Northern Iowa
Western Illinois University came in at #49 in this year's value ranking. See the full Western Illinois University profile
Bemidji State University ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best-value Political Science And Government schools. More on Bemidji State University
Related Political Science And Government Value Rankings
See value rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Value Political Science And Government Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Political Science And Government Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Political Science And Government Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Political Science And Government Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Political Science And Government Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Political Science And Government Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Political Science And Government Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs 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 · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 1304 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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