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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Political Science (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

30 Ranked Colleges
210 Degrees Awarded
$31,200 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master's in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2019-2020, 46,740 people earned their degree in political science, making the major the 14th most popular in the United States.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 5,729 political science graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 210 political science graduates with average earnings and debt of $57,039 and $42,488 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 30 colleges that offer a degree in political science. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great political science programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the political science program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Political Science Schools

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Political Science (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#1 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northwestern University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Northwestern is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Evanston, Illinois. It awarded 13 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northwestern, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern University are $56,567, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Political Science at Northwestern

#2

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#2 in overall quality

Out of the 30 schools in the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Chicago landed the #2 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 9 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UChicago, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UChicago are $61,548, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Political Science at University of Chicago

#4 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and it awarded 6 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree poly sci students whose families make $0-$30k list, U-M has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor are $49,548, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Political Science at U-M

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Madison, Wisconsin is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s poly sci degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - Madison, the school also landed the #0 spot in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Madison are $25,523, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Political Science at University of Wisconsin - Madison

#5

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana
#3 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Notre Dame. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Notre Dame, Indiana is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s poly sci degrees to 8 students in 2019-2020.

Notre Dame also made our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #3. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Notre Dame are $57,522.

Read full report on Political Science at University of Notre Dame

#6 in overall quality

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Champaign, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s poly sci degrees to 4 students in 2019-2020.

UIUC also made our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #6. Average graduate tuition and fees at UIUC are $30,083, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Political Science Report

#7

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
#5 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, Purdue University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in West Lafayette, Indiana, and it awarded 5 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Purdue, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue University - Main Campus are $28,794, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Political Science at Purdue

#8

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan
#7 in overall quality

With a ranking of #8, Michigan State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Michigan State University is a large public school situated in East Lansing, Michigan. It awarded 14 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree poly sci students whose families make $0-$30k list, Michigan State has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Michigan State are $37,056, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Michigan State University Political Science Report

#9 in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, Ohio State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Ohio State University - Main Campus is a large public school situated in Columbus, Ohio. It awarded 6 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

Ohio State also made our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #9. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio State are $37,141, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Political Science at Ohio State

#17 in overall quality

With a ranking of #10, Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Indianapolis, Indiana, this large public school awarded 5 diplomas to qualified masters’s poly sci students in 2019-2020.

IUPUI also took the #17 spot in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at IUPUI are $26,013, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Political Science at IUPUI

#11

Ball State University

Muncie, Indiana
#19 in overall quality

Ball State University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Muncie, Indiana, and it awarded 5 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

Ball State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Ball State are $26,204.

Read more about Political Science at Ball State

#12

University of Illinois at Springfield

Springfield, Illinois
#20 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, University of Illinois at Springfield did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Springfield, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s poly sci degrees to 22 students in 2019-2020.

UIS also took the #20 spot in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Springfield are $16,757, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Political Science at UIS

#13 in overall quality

University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. UIC is a large public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 3 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree poly sci students whose families make $0-$30k list, UIC has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Chicago are $27,036.

Full UIC Political Science Report

#14

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois
#15 in overall quality

Eastern Illinois University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. Eastern Illinois University is located in Charleston, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 13 masters’s poly sci degrees to qualified students.

EIU also made our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #15. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at EIU are $20,761.

Read more about Political Science at EIU

#15

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, Michigan
#22 in overall quality

Central Michigan University landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Central Michigan is located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 masters’s poly sci degrees to qualified students.

Central Michigan also took the #22 spot in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Central Michigan are $19,359.

Read full report on Political Science at Central Michigan University

#8 in overall quality

Miami University - Oxford ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Miami University - Oxford is a fairly large school located in Oxford, Ohio that handed out 11 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree poly sci students whose families make $0-$30k list, Miami University - Oxford has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Miami University - Oxford are $31,697, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Miami University - Oxford Political Science Report

#17

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois
#23 in overall quality

Northern Illinois University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Northern Illinois University is located in Dekalb, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 masters’s poly sci degrees to qualified students.

NIU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at NIU are $11,086.

Read more about Political Science at NIU

#18

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. UWM is a large public school situated in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It awarded 1 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

UWM also took the #0 spot in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee are $25,295.

Full University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Political Science Report

#19

Wayne State University

Detroit, Michigan
#21 in overall quality

With a ranking of #19, Wayne State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Detroit, Michigan, and it awarded 12 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

Wayne State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Wayne State University are $37,215.

Full Wayne State University Political Science Report

Case Western Reserve University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #20. Cleveland, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s poly sci degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

Case Western did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #0 on our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Case Western are $47,958, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Political Science at Case Western

#21

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois
#18 in overall quality

With a ranking of #21, Illinois State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Normal, Illinois, and it awarded 9 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

Illinois State also took the #18 spot in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Illinois State University are $11,069, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Illinois State University Political Science Report

#22

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, Michigan
#14 in overall quality

Western Michigan University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Western Michigan University is located in Kalamazoo, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 masters’s poly sci degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree poly sci students whose families make $0-$30k list, WMU has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at WMU are $31,355.

Read full report on Political Science at Western Michigan University

#23

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois
#24 in overall quality

Western Illinois University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. WIU is a medium-sized public school situated in Macomb, Illinois. It awarded 8 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree poly sci students whose families make $0-$30k list, WIU has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at WIU are $11,996, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Political Science at Western Illinois University

#11 in overall quality

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Cincinnati, Ohio, this large public school handed out 3 diplomas to qualified masters’s poly sci students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Cincinnati - Main Campus are $26,644, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science at UC

#25

Marquette University

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
#10 in overall quality

Marquette University landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Marquette University is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 masters’s poly sci degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree poly sci students whose families make $0-$30k list, Marquette has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Marquette University are $21,690, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Political Science at Marquette University

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Notes and References

References

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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