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Best Value Political Science and Government Colleges in Texas

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

Texas A&M International University delivers the state's most affordable political science education at just $3,061 net cost, while Rice University graduates earn $50,231 annually despite charging $12,640 after aid. This $47,170 earnings gap between the highest and lowest-paid graduates reflects the varied career paths available to political science majors in Texas. The state's massive government infrastructure creates opportunities across federal agencies, state departments, and local municipalities. Houston alone houses major federal offices and corporate headquarters requiring policy analysts and government relations specialists. Public universities dominate the value market, with 14 of the top 15 programs charging in-state tuition under $15,000. UT Austin combines strong earnings potential at $38,971 with reasonable costs, while smaller programs like UT Tyler offer solid returns at $33,993 for graduates. The 87.7% acceptance rate at UT Rio Grande Valley contrasts sharply with Rice's selective 8.68% admission rate, showing options exist across all academic profiles.
50
Programs
$1,113 – $41,942
Net Price Range
$34,440
Avg. Program Earnings
52.4%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Political Science and Government Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $3,061 $29,685 $7,846 48.9% 47.9%
2 $12,640 $50,231 $58,128 95.7% 8.7%
3 $6,500 $21,850 $9,859 49.3% 87.7%
4 $11,234 $32,772 $8,991 51.2% 86.9%
5 $10,204 $29,685 $9,892 45.6% 96.6%
6 $13,853 $37,671 $9,711 64.9% 66.2%
7 $13,931 $33,993 $9,920 46.8% 93.9%
8 $16,025 $38,721 $9,228 55.1% 84.6%
9 $15,152 $36,141 $10,600 51.7% 89.5%
10 $14,352 $33,993 $11,164 59.6% 79.1%
11 $15,235 $34,259 $11,728 56.5% 80.8%
12 $10,726 $24,035 $9,744 45.9% 99.9%
13 $19,678 $38,971 $11,678 87.6% 31.4%
14 $17,435 $33,993 $14,564 70.8% 84.7%
15 $14,623 $28,381 $7,708 33.8% 88.4%
16 $16,438 $30,228 $11,450 56.2% 87.7%
17 $19,398 $35,060 $37,934 32.4% 60.9%
18 $20,071 $34,847 $11,852 67.5% 67.3%
19 $20,924 $35,823 $13,099 83.8% 62.7%
20 $23,636 $33,993 $51,384 64.2% 85.1%
21 $41,778 $52,941 $64,460 83.3% 52.3%
22 $33,531 $41,789 $57,220 85.6% 56.1%
23 $23,451 $24,035 $46,500 69.5% 54.4%
24 $41,942 $33,459 $54,844 80.2% 45.9%
25 $8,376 $9,590 43.8% 93.6%
26 $10,650 $10,008 10.7%
27 $22,587 $34,920 55.2% 91.8%
28 $9,144 $10,904 43.0% 94.7%
29 $19,734 $9,173 19.9% 96.8%
30 $10,948 $8,648 44.2% 93.6%
31 $23,650 $51,352 81.9% 30.5%
32 $20,540 $23,186 19.2% 69.7%
33 $20,261 $7,878 51.2% 87.1%
34 $20,841 $9,101 47.3% 91.6%
35 $13,220 $9,548 29.4% 96.1%
36 $10,991 $7,592 27.4% 97.1%
37 $1,113 $6,627 95.7%
38 $27,401 $42,380 60.2% 65.8%
39 $20,498 $35,660 51.8% 94.2%
40 $12,915 $8,319 40.7% 79.1%
41 $22,240 $36,690 40.5% 85.7%
42 $15,137 $9,748 33.7% 88.0%
43 $30,092 $38,140 60.4% 91.4%
44 $25,470 $50,880 68.0% 58.7%
45 $23,790 $30,050 48.0% 67.7%
46 $12,637 $7,930 31.2% 91.5%
47 $11,268 $10,026 45.9% 86.5%
48 $21,031 $31,686 49.6% 88.3%
49 $19,710 $38,100 49.8% 84.5%
50 $8,624 $7,499 26.5% 82.1%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $47,170 earnings difference between Texas political science programs?

Rice University graduates earn $50,231 annually while UT Rio Grande Valley alumni average $21,850, reflecting differences in alumni networks, geographic job markets, and career trajectory preparation. Rice's Houston location provides access to corporate government affairs roles and consulting positions that command higher salaries. The 95.7% graduation rate at Rice compared to 49.3% at UT Rio Grande Valley also indicates different levels of academic support and student preparation for competitive job markets.

How do Texas public university costs compare for political science students?

In-state tuition ranges from $7,708 at University of Houston-Downtown to $14,564 at UT Dallas, showing significant variation even within the public system. Net costs after financial aid span from $3,061 at Texas A&M International to $19,678 at UT Austin. The $16,617 difference demonstrates how location, program size, and institutional resources affect affordability for Texas residents.

Is Rice University worth the higher cost for political science majors?

Rice charges $12,640 net cost but delivers $50,231 average earnings, creating a strong return on investment despite being the only private school in the top value rankings. The 95.7% graduation rate and 8.68% acceptance rate indicate intensive academic preparation that translates to career success. However, students should weigh this against public options like UT Austin, which offers $38,971 earnings at $19,678 net cost with an 87.6% graduation rate.

Where do political science graduates find the best job opportunities in Texas?

Houston's concentration of energy companies, medical institutions, and federal offices creates demand for policy analysts and government relations professionals. Austin's role as the state capital provides legislative and regulatory agency positions, while Dallas offers corporate headquarters requiring government affairs expertise. The state's 254 counties and major metropolitan areas generate consistent demand for public administration and policy roles across all experience levels.

Does graduation rate correlate with program value in Texas political science programs?

Schools with graduation rates above 60% generally produce higher-earning graduates, with UT Austin (87.6% graduation, $38,971 earnings) and University of Houston (64.9% graduation, $37,671 earnings) leading this trend. However, Texas A&M International achieves solid outcomes with a 48.9% graduation rate and $29,685 earnings at minimal cost. The correlation suggests that institutional support and academic rigor contribute to both degree completion and career preparation.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.