Best value colleges for Political Science in Texas.2026 Rankings
Choosing the right Political Science program in Texas means weighing more than just name recognition. We analyzed 64 colleges across the state, scoring each on the metrics that matter most to long-term career success: graduation rates, post-graduation earnings, net cost, and academic rigor.
The data tells an interesting story: Rice University leads on selectivity (8% acceptance rate), but selectivity is only one dimension of quality. Across Texas's Political Science programs, the typical in-state price is $29,353 and the average graduation rate is 58%. Graduates of these programs earn a median of $38,938 within one year of completing their degree.
Not sure if your profile matches these schools?
The numbers above show what each school requires and costs, but they can't tell you how competitive your individual profile is against this year's applicant pool.
Drop your application data into our Free Application Review. Our AI will analyze your admission chances and stats in 2 minutes. Get practical next steps for improvements where it matters most.
Get My Free Application Review →Political Science Programs in Texas
ranked by value score
| # | College | Value Score | Admit Rate | Grad Rate | Net Price | Median Earnings | Student:Faculty | Majors Offered | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rice UniversityPrivate | Perfect· 53 | 8% | 96% | $1,348 | $54,728 | 6:1 | 50 | 4,562 |
| 2 | Excellent· 45 | 61% | 83% | $24,746 | $52,160 | 11:1 | 70 | 7,106 | |
| 3 | Trinity UniversityPrivate | Excellent· 43 | 28% | 82% | $15,774 | $27,601 | 9:1 | 50 | 2,518 |
| 4 | Texas Christian UniversityPrivate | Great· 41 | 43% | 86% | $18,714 | $50,627 | 14:1 | 67 | 10,919 |
| 5 | Great· 40 | 63% | 84% | $18,685 | $41,817 | 19:1 | 107 | 60,710 | |
| 6 | Great· 38 | 29% | 88% | $18,618 | $43,281 | 18:1 | 104 | 42,100 | |
| 7 | Austin CollegePrivate | Strong· 37 | 47% | 69% | $22,351 | $23,243 | 11:1 | 35 | 1,125 |
| 8 | University of DallasPrivate | Strong· 37 | 54% | 68% | $18,311 | $41,639 | 11:1 | 24 | 1,403 |
| 9 | Baylor UniversityPrivate | Strong· 36 | 51% | 80% | $32,236 | $32,981 | 15:1 | 83 | 15,007 |
| 10 | Strong· 36 | 46% | 49% | $2,791 | $18,475 | 21:1 | 33 | 6,502 | |
| 11 | Strong· 36 | 77% | 27% | $6,767 | $45,506 | 14:1 | 24 | 2,630 | |
| 12 | Southwestern UniversityPrivate | Strong· 35 | 39% | 69% | $24,800 | $34,415 | 11:1 | 33 | 1,454 |
| 13 | Strong· 35 | 96% | 27% | $10,614 | $35,977 | 11:1 | 30 | 1,378 | |
| 14 | Strong· 35 | 100% | — | $-1,325 | $45,636 | 15:1 | 26 | 1,698 | |
| 15 | Strong· 35 | 80% | 31% | $11,213 | $40,302 | 13:1 | 21 | 1,748 | |
| 16 | Strong· 35 | 85% | 49% | $7,695 | $24,804 | 19:1 | 67 | 27,026 | |
| 17 | McMurry UniversityPrivate | Strong· 34 | 58% | 39% | $18,512 | $37,736 | 13:1 | 37 | 1,108 |
| 18 | Texas Wesleyan UniversityPrivate | Strong· 34 | 62% | 32% | $19,764 | $43,512 | 13:1 | 35 | 1,671 |
| 19 | University of St ThomasPrivate | Strong· 34 | 93% | 69% | $16,635 | $46,940 | 15:1 | 39 | 2,826 |
| 20 | Wayland Baptist UniversityPrivate | Strong· 34 | 54% | 19% | $20,654 | $46,287 | 10:1 | 34 | 2,090 |
| 21 | Abilene Christian UniversityPrivate | Good· 33 | 64% | 60% | $24,921 | $45,274 | 13:1 | 50 | 3,129 |
| 22 | Angelo State UniversityPublic | Good· 33 | 79% | 41% | $13,147 | $40,595 | 18:1 | 45 | 5,515 |
| 23 | LeTourneau UniversityPrivate | Good· 33 | 41% | 61% | $24,073 | $52,275 | 11:1 | 52 | 1,510 |
| 24 | Saint Edward's UniversityPrivate | Good· 33 | 84% | 64% | $22,064 | $34,570 | 13:1 | 56 | 2,729 |
| 25 | Good· 33 | 81% | 57% | $14,602 | $31,550 | 23:1 | 60 | 30,834 | |
| 26 | Good· 33 | 65% | 71% | $14,813 | $34,429 | 27:1 | 42 | 21,317 | |
| 27 | Good· 33 | 84% | 43% | $9,055 | $53,042 | 20:1 | 32 | 4,122 | |
| 28 | University of HoustonPublic | Good· 33 | 70% | 65% | $12,613 | $36,413 | 21:1 | 74 | 37,175 |
| 29 | Good· 32 | 60% | 48% | $22,088 | $37,108 | 15:1 | 45 | 1,364 | |
| 30 | Howard Payne UniversityPrivate | Good· 32 | 68% | 31% | $26,844 | $37,543 | 10:1 | 42 | 716 |