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

30 Ranked Colleges
210 Degrees Awarded
$30,900 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master's in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking - to help you make that 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.

This year’s “Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 30 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. 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 $30-$48k

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 $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Political Science (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#1 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northwestern University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Evanston, Illinois, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 13 diplomas to qualified masters’s poly sci students in 2019-2020.

Northwestern did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern are $56,567, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Political Science at Northwestern

#2

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#2 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Chicago. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 9 degrees to qualified masters’s poly sci students in 2019-2020.

UChicago also made our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #2. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Chicago are $61,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science at UChicago

#4 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is a large school located in Ann Arbor, Michigan that handed out 6 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at U-M, the school also landed the #4 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 U-M are $49,548.

Read more about Political Science at U-M

#4

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana
#3 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Notre Dame. 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 $30-$48k. Notre Dame is a fairly large school located in Notre Dame, Indiana that handed out 8 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

Notre Dame also took the #3 spot in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Notre Dame are $57,522, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Political Science at Notre Dame

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Wisconsin - Madison is a public institution located in Madison, Wisconsin. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1 masters’s degrees 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 University of Wisconsin - Madison are $25,523, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Political Science at UW - Madison

#6

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
#5 in overall quality

Purdue University - Main Campus came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in West Lafayette, Indiana, this large public school awarded 5 diplomas to qualified masters’s poly sci students in 2019-2020.

Purdue also took the #5 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 Purdue are $28,794.

Read full report on Political Science at Purdue

#6 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. 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. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UIUC are $30,083.

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

#9 in overall quality

Ohio State University - Main Campus landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Columbus, Ohio is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s poly sci degrees to 6 students in 2019-2020.

Ohio State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio State University - Main Campus are $37,141, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science at Ohio State University - Main Campus

#20 in overall quality

University of Illinois at Springfield landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UIS is a public institution located in Springfield, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 22 masters’s degrees 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 UIS are $16,757, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Political Science at UIS

#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 $30-$48k list. Indianapolis, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s poly sci degrees to 5 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.

Full IUPUI Political Science Report

#11

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois
#15 in overall quality

Eastern Illinois University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Charleston, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s poly sci degrees to 13 students in 2019-2020.

EIU also took the #15 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 Eastern Illinois University are $20,761.

Full EIU Political Science Report

#12

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan
#7 in overall quality

Michigan State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #12. Michigan State is a large school located in East Lansing, Michigan that handed out 14 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

Michigan State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Michigan State are $37,056, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science at Michigan State University

#13 in overall quality

University of Illinois at Chicago ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this large public school awarded 3 diplomas to qualified masters’s poly sci students in 2019-2020.

UIC also made our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #13. 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

#14

Ball State University

Muncie, Indiana
#19 in overall quality

Ball State University landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Muncie, Indiana, and it awarded 5 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

Ball State also took the #19 spot in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ball State are $26,204, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Ball 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 $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #15. Case Western is a fairly large school located in Cleveland, Ohio that handed out 1 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 $30-$48k list, Case Western has also earned the #0 rank in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Case Western Reserve University are $47,958, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Political Science at Case Western

#16

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, Michigan
#22 in overall quality

Central Michigan University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Central Michigan is a fairly large school located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan that handed out 4 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Central Michigan, the school also landed 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 more about Political Science at Central Michigan University

#17

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois
#23 in overall quality

Northern 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 $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #17. Northern Illinois University is a fairly large school located in Dekalb, Illinois that handed out 2 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 $30-$48k list, NIU has also earned the #23 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 Northern Illinois University are $11,086.

Full Northern Illinois University Political Science Report

#18

Wayne State University

Detroit, Michigan
#21 in overall quality

Wayne State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #18. Wayne State University is located in Detroit, Michigan and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 12 masters’s poly sci degrees to qualified students.

Wayne State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Wayne State are $37,215, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Political Science at Wayne State University

#8 in overall quality

Miami University - Oxford did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #19. Oxford, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s poly sci degrees to 11 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Miami University - Oxford, the school also landed the #8 spot 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

#20

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 $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #20. University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee is a public institution located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UWM also made our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #0. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee are $25,295, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Political Science at UWM

#21

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois
#24 in overall quality

Western Illinois University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Macomb, Illinois, and it awarded 8 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

WIU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at WIU are $11,996, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Political Science at WIU

Northeastern 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 $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #22. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this medium-sized public school handed out 5 degrees to qualified masters’s poly sci students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Northeastern Illinois University are $17,032, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science at Northeastern Illinois University

#23

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois
#18 in overall quality

Illinois State University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Illinois State is a large school located in Normal, Illinois that handed out 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 are $11,069, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Illinois State University 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 Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #24. University of Cincinnati - Main Campus is a large school located in Cincinnati, Ohio that handed out 3 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

UC also took the #11 spot in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. 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 University of Cincinnati - Main Campus

#25

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, Michigan
#14 in overall quality

Western Michigan 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 $30-$48k ranking. Located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, this fairly large public school handed out 3 diplomas to qualified masters’s poly sci students in 2019-2020.

WMU also took the #14 spot in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at WMU are $31,355, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Political Science at Western Michigan 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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