Cheapest Political Science and Government Colleges in Connecticut

Yale University delivers Political Science and Government degrees at a $27,818 net price despite its $64,700 sticker cost, making it surprisingly accessible through financial aid. This positions Yale just $362 more expensive than the University of Saint Joseph after aid calculations. Connecticut's political science graduates enter a job market where state government, insurance giants like Hartford Financial, and defense contractors create steady demand for policy analysts and government relations professionals. The University of Connecticut system dominates the most affordable options, with four campuses offering net prices between $8,896 and $14,059. These public options contrast sharply with private alternatives that can exceed $32,000 annually. Graduates from UConn earn $40,555 within six years, matching the state's strong wage environment driven by finance and insurance sectors that value political science expertise.

Programs

$8,896 – $46,274

Net Price Range

$40,285

Avg. Program Earnings

66.6%

Avg. Graduation Rate

21 Political Science and Government Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus Waterbury, Connecticut	$8,896	$17,462	59.5%	97.9%
2	University of Connecticut-Avery Point Groton, Connecticut	$11,504	$17,462	56.7%	97.4%
3	University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus Hartford, Connecticut	$13,339	$17,452	65.4%	97.3%
4	University of Connecticut-Stamford Stamford, Connecticut	$14,059	$17,472	56.9%	92.2%
5	Central Connecticut State University New Britain, Connecticut	$16,435	$12,460	49.3%	76.7%
6	Western Connecticut State University Danbury, Connecticut	$18,617	$12,763	50.2%	83.5%
7	Eastern Connecticut State University Willimantic, Connecticut	$20,480	$13,292	58.1%	73.8%
8	Southern Connecticut State University New Haven, Connecticut	$20,877	$12,828	47.8%	82.9%
9	University of Connecticut Storrs, Connecticut	$22,886	$20,366	83.8%	54.5%
10	University of Bridgeport Bridgeport, Connecticut	$24,786	$35,760	48.1%	81.5%
11	University of Saint Joseph West Hartford, Connecticut	$27,375	$45,908	69.7%	74.9%
12	Yale University New Haven, Connecticut	$27,818	$64,700	96.3%	4.6%
13	Wesleyan University Middletown, Connecticut	$27,888	$67,316	91.6%	14.4%
14	University of Hartford West Hartford, Connecticut	$29,558	$47,647	58.3%	82.8%
15	Albertus Magnus College New Haven, Connecticut	$32,681	$39,924	46.1%	80.5%
16	Connecticut College New London, Connecticut	$33,998	$64,812	83.7%	40.4%
17	University of New Haven West Haven, Connecticut	$34,089	$45,730	59.2%	91.2%
18	Trinity College Hartford, Connecticut	$35,009	$67,420	82.8%	36.1%
19	Quinnipiac University Hamden, Connecticut	$39,207	$53,090	77.3%	83.8%
20	Sacred Heart University Fairfield, Connecticut	$45,459	$48,460	74.5%	65.7%
21	Fairfield University Fairfield, Connecticut	$46,274	$56,360	83.8%	52.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus the cheapest option?

UConn-Waterbury offers the lowest net price at $8,896 for political science students, benefiting from the university system's economies of scale and state funding. The campus accepts 97.91% of applicants while maintaining a 59.5% graduation rate. Students pay just $17,462 in-state tuition and graduate with $20,464 in debt on average. This branch campus provides access to UConn's political science curriculum at significant savings compared to the main Storrs campus.

How do Yale's costs compare to other private schools for political science?

Yale charges $64,700 in tuition but offers substantial financial aid that reduces the net price to $27,818 for political science students. This makes Yale only slightly more expensive than the University of Saint Joseph at $27,375 net cost. Yale graduates earn $48,823 within six years and carry just $14,749 in debt. The 96.3% graduation rate reflects the strong academic support despite the 4.57% acceptance rate.

Does attending a UConn branch campus affect earning potential?

All University of Connecticut campuses report identical earnings data of $40,555 for political science graduates, regardless of which branch they attend. Students at Waterbury, Avery Point, Hartford, and Stamford campuses receive the same degree as Storrs students. The branch campuses offer acceptance rates above 92%, making them accessible entry points to the UConn system. Graduates benefit from the university's alumni network throughout Connecticut's government and business sectors.

Where do Connecticut political science graduates typically find employment?

Connecticut's insurance capital status creates opportunities at companies like Hartford Financial and Travelers for political science graduates in regulatory affairs and government relations. The state government in Hartford employs policy analysts and legislative staff, while defense contractors like United Technologies value graduates for their analytical skills. Yale-New Haven Health and other major employers also hire political science graduates for administrative and compliance roles. The state's proximity to New York and Washington DC expands career options significantly.

Is there a significant difference between public and private graduation rates?

Private institutions show mixed graduation rates, with Yale achieving 96.3% and Wesleyan reaching 91.6%, while others like Albertus Magnus graduate only 46.1% of students. Public universities range from Central Connecticut State's 49.3% to UConn Storrs' 83.8% graduation rate. The Connecticut State University system schools generally graduate between 47% and 58% of political science students. Higher graduation rates often correlate with selectivity and available student support resources rather than public or private status alone.

More Political Science and Government Rankings

Best Value Political Science and Government in Connecticut Political Science and Government Under $20,000 in Connecticut

All Political Science and Government Programs Best Colleges in Connecticut Best Political Science and Government in Connecticut

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