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2022 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Political Science (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

19 Ranked Colleges
120 Degrees Awarded
$34,400 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

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 Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” 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 doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 120 political science graduates with average earnings and debt of $74,428 and $121,375 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 19 colleges that offered 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.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the political science program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Political Science Schools

The poly sci school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k”.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region doctor’s degree poly sci students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 19 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Political Science (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#1 in overall quality

Out of the 19 schools in the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwestern University landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Evanston, Illinois, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 15 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s poly sci students in 2019-2020.

Northwestern did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Political Science Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern University are $56,567, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science at Northwestern University

#4 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, this large public school handed out 14 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s poly sci students in 2019-2020.

U-M also took the #4 spot in our “Best Political Science Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor are $49,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

#3

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#3 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Chicago. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s poly sci degrees to 11 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree poly sci students whose families make $30-$48k list, UChicago has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Political Science Doctor’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 UChicago are $61,548.

Read full report on Political Science at University of Chicago

#5 in overall quality

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 Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. University of Wisconsin - Madison is a public institution located in Madison, Wisconsin. The school has a large population, and it awarded 8 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UW - Madison not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Political Science Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Madison are $25,523, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UW - Madison Political Science Report

#5

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana
#2 in overall quality

Out of the 19 schools in the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Notre Dame landed the #5 spot on the list. Notre Dame is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Notre Dame, Indiana. It awarded 10 doctorate’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

Notre Dame also made our “Best Political Science Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #2. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Notre Dame are $57,522.

Read full report on Political Science at Notre Dame

#6

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#6 in overall quality

Indiana University - Bloomington came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Bloomington, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s poly sci degrees to 19 students in 2019-2020.

IU Bloomington also made our “Best Political Science Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #6. Average graduate tuition and fees at IU Bloomington are $33,338, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science at Indiana University - Bloomington

#7

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
#7 in overall quality

Purdue University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. Purdue is a large school located in West Lafayette, Indiana that handed out 5 doctorate’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Purdue, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Political Science Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue are $28,794, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science at Purdue

#8 in overall quality

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UIUC is a public institution located in Champaign, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 5 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UIUC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Political Science Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are $30,083, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Political Science at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

#10 in overall quality

Ohio State University - Main Campus landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Ohio State University - Main Campus is a public institution located in Columbus, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 7 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Ohio State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Political Science Doctor’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 Ohio State are $37,141.

Full Ohio State University - Main Campus Political Science Report

#10

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan
#9 in overall quality

Michigan State University landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Michigan State is a large public school situated in East Lansing, Michigan. It awarded 8 doctorate’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree poly sci students whose families make $30-$48k list, Michigan State has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Political Science Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Michigan State University are $37,056, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Michigan State Political Science Report

#12 in overall quality

University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #11. UIC is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 doctorate’s poly sci degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree poly sci students whose families make $30-$48k list, UIC has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Political Science Doctor’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 UIC are $27,036.

Full UIC Political Science Report

#12

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois
#15 in overall quality

Northern Illinois University landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. NIU is a fairly large school located in Dekalb, Illinois that handed out 2 doctorate’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

NIU also made our “Best Political Science Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #15. Average graduate tuition and fees at NIU are $11,086, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Northern Illinois University Political Science Report

#13

Wayne State University

Detroit, Michigan
#18 in overall quality

Wayne State University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Wayne State University is a large school located in Detroit, Michigan that handed out 3 doctorate’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree poly sci students whose families make $30-$48k list, Wayne State has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Political Science Doctor’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 Wayne State are $37,215.

Read more about Political Science at Wayne State University

#17 in overall quality

With a ranking of #14, Southern Illinois University Carbondale did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a fairly large public school situated in Carbondale, Illinois. It awarded 1 doctorate’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

SIUC also took the #17 spot in our “Best Political Science Doctor’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 SIUC are $32,928.

Full SIUC Political Science Report

#15

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
#16 in overall quality

With a ranking of #15, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee is a public institution located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UWM also took the #16 spot in our “Best Political Science Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee are $25,295, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UWM Political Science Report

#11 in overall quality

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #16. This large school is located in Cincinnati, Ohio, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

UC also made our “Best Political Science Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #11. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC are $26,644, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Political Science at UC

#17

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, Michigan
#14 in overall quality

Western Michigan University landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Western Michigan University is located in Kalamazoo, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1 doctorate’s poly sci degrees to qualified students.

WMU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Political Science Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at WMU are $31,355, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Western Michigan University Political Science Report

#19 in overall quality

Kent State University at Kent landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Kent State is a large school located in Kent, Ohio that handed out 2 doctorate’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

Kent State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Political Science Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Kent State University at Kent are $21,952, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Kent State University at Kent Political Science Report

#19

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#13 in overall quality

Loyola University Chicago did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #19. Loyola Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Loyola Chicago did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Political Science Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Loyola Chicago are $19,154, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Loyola University Chicago Political Science Report

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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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