Top Affordable Online Political Science Degree Programs in Massachusetts (2025)

Have you considered a career in political science?

With a bachelor's degree in this field, you can launch myriad careers including working at all levels of government, managing campaigns and elections, or holding leadership roles in public administration and policy analysis.

Another notable route for political science majors is to work in the international sphere, whether in intelligence gathering, diplomatic relations between governments, or in the transnational business world.

Read on as we look at affordable online political science degrees available to Massachusetts residents.

Featured Affordable Political Science Degrees Online

We found two in-state Massachusetts online political science degree programs, which we highlight below.

1. University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth

The public university of UMass Dartmouth is home to the state's only online Bachelor of Arts in political science, which also has an optional pre-law concentration for students who wish to continue to law school.

Coursework covers many bases to provide students with a strong foundation in American government and public policy.

These include topics such as:

• Public Policy in America
• Constitutional Law
• Civil Liberties and Rights
• Political Parties and Interest Groups
• Women and Public Policy

All students complete a three-credit internship to graduate. Total tuition and fees range from $426 to $467 per credit hour.

2. University of Massachusetts at Lowell

At the University of Massachusetts at Lowell (UML), also a public institution, you can earn an online Bachelor of Liberal Arts with a concentration in political science. Tuition is $380 per credit hour.

Students gain skills in creativity and critical thinking, information literacy, cultural fluency, communication, and leadership.

The interdisciplinary program incorporates liberal arts core classes and political science electives (such as The American Presidency, Politics of the Internet, or the Politics of Food).

Affordable Political Science Degrees Elsewhere Open to Massachusetts Residents

Beyond Massachusetts, you can also find many affordable online political science degrees. Here are our top choices.

American Public University System

The American Public University System (APUS) is a private, for-profit institution based in Charles Town, WV.

Here, you can pursue an online Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.

The school also offers a related online Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Global Security.

The APUS political science program has three major emphases: political theory and systems, the American political system, and political parties and interest groups.

Undergraduate tuition is $325 per credit hour, with a reduced military rate of $250 for active-duty U.S. service members (including National Guard and Reservists) and military families (including parents, spouses, legal partners, siblings, and dependents).

Indiana University-Bloomington

Indiana University's Bloomington campus hosts an online Bachelor of Science in Political Science program.

Coursework highlights include contemporary revolutions, Indiana politics, public opinion, and political philosophy.

You'll hone your critical thinking, researching, writing, and information literacy skills.

In-state tuition is $249.73 per credit, while out-of-state students pay $365.31 in tuition per credit hour.

Kennesaw State University

Georgia's Kennesaw State University provides another affordable state university opportunity: an online Bachelor of Science in Political Science degree at the very low tuition rate of $185 per credit hour plus $55 in fees for each semester, regardless of residency.

Kennesaw's primary goal for the political science program is to prepare graduates for careers in public service or to continue to graduate study in law or the social sciences.

Every student works with a local business, non-profit organization, or government agency to complete a faculty-supervised internship or cooperative study program.

Oregon State University

Oregon State University's online bachelor's programs in political science allow you to combine your diverse interests into a customized education in political science.

First, you can earn either a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Arts in political science through online study, depending upon whether you want to immerse yourself more fully in foreign languages or the sciences.

The curriculum also offers an array of course topics such as gender and the law, rural public policy, and Central & European politics.

In addition, you may choose an online minor in business or wildlife management, journalism, intelligence education, or public service.

On a quarter system that requires 180 hours for a bachelor's degree, tuition is charged at $350 per credit hour.

Penn State World Campus

Like many other schools, Pennsylvania State University offers a choice between an online Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science degree in political science.

Courses in political science will emphasize political theory, legislative research, and contemporary political ideologies.

You may also choose from exciting electives in areas such as the politics of terrorism, international political economy, and Latin American politics.

The tuition formula at Penn State is based on how many credits you have already completed and how many credits you are taking per semester.

Those with up to 59 credits would pay $632 per credit hour, with a maximum of &7,678 per semester.

Those with more than 60 credits would pay $678 per hour, maxing at $8,288 per semester.

Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire State University, the private institution known for specializing in online learning methods, offers a Bachelor of Arts in political science online for $330 per credit hour in tuition.

SNHU's online political science degree program focuses on how policies, political issues, and events happen in real-time at the local, national, and international levels.

You will develop the critical thinking and communication skills necessary for success in the political world.

University of Maryland Global Campus

You can earn an online Bachelor of Science in Political Science at the University of Maryland's global campus.

Required courses include interesting topics such as law, morality, and war; global terrorism; and American foreign relations. Every student completes a political science capstone course.

Tuition rates are $318 per credit for in-state students, $499 per credit (out-of-state), and $250 per credit (military).

UMGC has developed a reputation for serving military students and families across the globe.

The University of Memphis Global

The University of Memphis Global campus features an exclusively online Bachelor of Arts in political science that provides graduates with career skills needed for business, law, education, and public service professions. Tuition is $431 per credit hour.

Coursework covers primary emphases such as American government and politics, comparative politics, international relations, and political theory.

You might take classes in political media, globalization, and American foreign policy.

Financial Aid Options for Online Political Science Programs

You can find hundreds of public and private scholarships if you're seeking a degree in political science.

To search for these, you can ask the financial aid officer at your intended university or you can perform an internet search for online lists and databases for political science scholarships.

How Much Does It Cost To Earn a Political Science Degree?

Studying online is a more affordable option than the cost of four years in a traditional, on-campus degree program with all its fees.

The two Massachusetts programs we listed above range from $45,000 to $56,000 for a full four-year degree, not counting any financial aid.

However, some of the programs in other states, such as the one at Kennesaw State University in Georgia, could cost as little as $24,000 per year.

Be sure to work with a financial aid officer to maximize the aid you receive.

What Can I Do with a Political Science Degree?

Here are a dozen careers available to you with a political science degree:

• Political Journalist
• Political Consultant
• Public Relations Manager
• Campaign Manager
• Criminal Justice Career
• Lobbyist
• Legislative Assistant
• Nonprofit Advocate
• Urban Planner
• Survey Researcher
• Public Policy Analyst
• Government Analyst

Start Your Political Science Degree Online Today

If you're seeking an affordable online political science degree as a Massachusetts resident, we assure you that you can find a program that fits your needs and budget.