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Cheapest Political Science and Government Colleges in Massachusetts

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

Williams College defies expectations by offering the lowest net cost for Political Science and Government students in Massachusetts at $14,852, despite charging $64,860 in sticker price. This demonstrates how generous financial aid can make elite private education more affordable than many public options. Harvard follows closely at $16,816 net cost, while public universities like Fitchburg State ($15,432) and Framingham State ($16,698) cluster in a similar range. The earnings gap tells an equally compelling story, with Harvard graduates earning $57,017 annually compared to UMass Lowell's $25,596. Massachusetts provides an ideal backdrop for political science students, with opportunities ranging from state government positions on Beacon Hill to federal roles given the state's political influence. The concentration of think tanks, advocacy organizations, and political consulting firms around Boston creates a dense network of internship and career opportunities that few other states can match.
41
Programs
$14,852 – $39,866
Net Price Range
$39,161
Avg. Program Earnings
72.1%
Avg. Graduation Rate

41 Political Science and Government Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $14,852 $64,860 96.6% 8.5%
2 $15,432 $11,046 52.7% 86.1%
3 $16,698 $11,630 49.5% 87.4%
4 $16,816 $59,076 97.3% 3.2%
5 $17,970 $11,389 54.6% 87.7%
6 $18,246 $67,280 93.4% 7.3%
7 $18,282 $15,496 51.1% 80.8%
8 $18,441 $11,978 55.0% 92.7%
9 $18,561 $11,882 54.9% 81.5%
10 $18,627 $16,570 70.1% 86.0%
11 $18,707 $11,884 49.1% 92.5%
12 $19,813 $60,156 96.1% 4.0%
13 $20,605 $15,208 49.0% 95.5%
14 $23,691 $17,357 83.2% 63.5%
15 $24,817 $28,100 67.6% 91.8%
16 $25,008 $64,320 91.2% 13.6%
17 $25,299 $42,970 42.3% 89.4%
18 $25,810 $56,630 57.2% 68.9%
19 $26,181 $61,568 89.7% 22.9%
20 $26,996 $65,168 90.0% 14.4%
21 $27,313 $45,538 71.2% 76.5%
22 $27,711 $55,160 77.1% 50.3%
23 $28,346 $47,770 69.5% 88.8%
24 $28,853 $49,414 74.6% 82.3%
25 $29,396 $43,064 40.4% 69.6%
26 $29,562 $64,142 85.0% 39.8%
27 $29,969 $54,500 80.8% 73.4%
28 $30,031 $45,380 59.8% 86.8%
29 $30,934 $62,080 75.7% 79.5%
30 $31,170 $46,430 63.9% 88.0%
31 $31,569 $46,686 65.8% 79.7%
32 $31,805 $32,780 61.7% 86.2%
33 $32,116 $63,141 90.4% 6.8%
34 $33,885 $64,946 86.1% 39.4%
35 $35,435 $67,844 93.3% 9.7%
36 $36,684 $66,594 54.2% 95.5%
37 $36,868 $60,850 89.6% 36.4%
38 $37,899 $51,786 72.1% 74.6%
39 $38,787 $58,150 88.2% 57.9%
40 $39,324 $39,212 75.4% 73.3%
41 $39,866 $67,680 91.0% 16.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains Williams College having the lowest net cost despite its high sticker price?

Williams College charges $64,860 in tuition but brings the net cost down to just $14,852 through substantial financial aid packages. This makes it more affordable than several public universities in the state. The 96.6% graduation rate and highly selective 8.5% acceptance rate indicate students receive significant support once enrolled. This financial aid model allows Williams to compete directly with public options on affordability.

How do earnings vary between the most and least expensive programs?

Harvard graduates earn $57,017 annually, more than double the $25,596 earned by UMass Lowell graduates. Interestingly, Williams College graduates earn $51,482 despite having the lowest net cost at $14,852. The earnings range of over $31,000 shows that program choice significantly impacts financial outcomes. Private colleges generally show higher earnings, though this reflects both their selectivity and alumni networks.

Is there a significant cost difference between public and private options?

Public universities range from $15,432 to $23,691 in net costs, while private colleges span $14,852 to $24,817. The overlap is substantial, with Williams and Harvard actually costing less than UMass Amherst's $23,691. Public in-state tuition averages around $12,000 to $17,000, but net costs factor in financial aid. This means private colleges can compete on affordability for students who qualify for substantial aid packages.

Does graduation rate correlate with program cost?

The most expensive programs show dramatically higher graduation rates, with Williams at 96.6% and Harvard at 97.3%. Public universities cluster between 49% and 70.1%, with UMass Amherst achieving 83.2%. The 47-point gap between the highest and lowest graduation rates suggests that institutional resources and student support vary significantly. However, cost alone doesn't determine success, as evidenced by the range within public institutions.

Where do Political Science graduates typically find employment in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts offers political science graduates positions in state government on Beacon Hill, federal agencies, and the numerous nonprofits concentrated around Boston. The state hosts major consulting firms, think tanks, and advocacy organizations that regularly hire graduates. Campaign work is particularly available given Massachusetts' active political scene and its role as a launching pad for national candidates. The biotech and healthcare sectors also employ political science graduates for government relations and policy work.

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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.