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2022 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Political Science in the Great Lakes Region (With Aid)

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 Getting Aid

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” 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.

For this year’s “Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 19 colleges that offer a degree in political science. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent political science programs, but they also 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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 Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid.

Top 19 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Political Science in the Great Lakes Region (With Aid)

#5 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Madison, Wisconsin, this large public school handed out 8 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s poly sci students in 2019-2020.

UW - Madison also took the #5 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 - Madison are $25,523, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UW - Madison Political Science Report

#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 Getting Aid list. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is a public institution located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 14 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree poly sci students with aid list, U-M has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Political Science Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at U-M are $49,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Political Science at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

#3

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#6 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Indiana University - Bloomington. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid. IU Bloomington is a large school located in Bloomington, Indiana that handed out 19 doctorate’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree poly sci students with aid list, IU Bloomington has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Political Science Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at IU Bloomington are $33,338, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Political Science at Indiana University - Bloomington

#4

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
#7 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 Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Purdue University - Main Campus landed the #4 spot on the list. Purdue University - Main Campus 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 you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Political Science at Purdue University - Main Campus

#8 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is located in Champaign, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 5 doctorate’s poly sci degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIUC, the school also landed the #8 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 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are $30,083.

Full University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Political Science Report

#6

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan
#9 in overall quality

Michigan State University 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 Getting Aid ranking. Michigan State University is a large school located in East Lansing, Michigan that handed out 8 doctorate’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Michigan State, the school also landed the #9 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 Michigan State are $37,056.

Full Michigan State University 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 Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #7. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this large public school handed out 3 degrees to qualified doctorate’s poly sci students in 2019-2020.

UIC also made our “Best Political Science Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #12. Average graduate tuition and fees at UIC are $27,036, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Political Science at University of Illinois at Chicago

#8

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#1 in overall quality

Northwestern University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Evanston, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s poly sci degrees to 15 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 you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Northwestern University Political Science Report

#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 Getting Aid ranking. Columbus, Ohio is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s poly sci degrees to 7 students in 2019-2020.

Ohio State also took the #10 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 Ohio State are $37,141.

Full Ohio State Political Science Report

#10

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois
#15 in overall quality

Northern Illinois University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This fairly large school is located in Dekalb, Illinois, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree poly sci students with aid list, NIU has also earned the #15 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 NIU are $11,086.

Full Northern Illinois University Political Science Report

#11

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
#16 in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #11. University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee is a large school located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin that handed out 1 doctorate’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree poly sci students with aid list, UWM has also earned the #16 rank 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.

Read more about Political Science at UWM

#12

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana
#2 in overall quality

University of Notre Dame landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit institution located in Notre Dame, Indiana. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 10 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Notre Dame also took the #2 spot in our “Best Political Science Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Notre Dame are $57,522, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science at Notre Dame

#17 in overall quality

Southern Illinois University Carbondale 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 Getting Aid ranking. This fairly large school is located in Carbondale, Illinois, and it awarded 1 doctorate’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

SIUC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 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 Southern Illinois University Carbondale are $32,928.

Full SIUC Political Science Report

#14

Wayne State University

Detroit, Michigan
#18 in overall quality

Wayne State University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Wayne State University is a public institution located in Detroit, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Wayne State, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Political Science Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Wayne State University are $37,215, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Wayne State Political Science Report

#15

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, Michigan
#14 in overall quality

Western Michigan University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Western Michigan University is a public institution located in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

WMU also took the #14 spot in our “Best Political Science Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Western Michigan University are $31,355, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Political Science at WMU

#19 in overall quality

Kent State University at Kent came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Kent State University at Kent is a large school located in Kent, Ohio that handed out 2 doctorate’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Kent State, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Political Science Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Kent State are $21,952, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Kent State Political Science Report

#11 in overall quality

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This large school is located in Cincinnati, Ohio, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

UC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Political Science Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Cincinnati - Main Campus are $26,644, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Political Science at UC

#18

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#3 in overall quality

University of Chicago landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This fairly large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 11 doctorate’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

UChicago also made our “Best Political Science Doctor’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 UChicago are $61,548.

Read full report on Political Science at UChicago

#19

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#13 in overall quality

With a ranking of #19, Loyola University Chicago did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. 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 2 students in 2019-2020.

Loyola Chicago not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Political Science Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Loyola University Chicago are $19,154, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Loyola 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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