Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Find Schools Near

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

30 Ranked Colleges
210 Degrees Awarded
$28,100 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master's in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. 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 Getting Aid” 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 Getting Aid” ranking analyzed 30 colleges that offered a degree in political science. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality political science programs that also have a lower cost than 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

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” list to help you make the college 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 Getting Aid

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 Getting Aid.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Political Science in the Great Lakes Region (With Aid)

#1

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
#5 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Purdue University - Main Campus. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid. Purdue University - Main Campus is a large public school situated in West Lafayette, Indiana. It awarded 5 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree poly sci students with aid list, Purdue has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Political Science Master’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

#6 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 Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Champaign, Illinois, this large public school awarded 4 diplomas to qualified masters’s poly sci students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree poly sci students with aid list, UIUC has also earned the #6 rank 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 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

#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 Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and it awarded 6 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

U-M also made our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #4. Average graduate tuition and fees at U-M are $49,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about 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 Getting Aid. UW - Madison is a large school located in Madison, Wisconsin that handed out 1 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

UW - Madison 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 University of Wisconsin - Madison are $25,523, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Political Science at UW - Madison

#20 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 Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Springfield landed the #5 spot on the list. University of Illinois at Springfield is a small public school situated in Springfield, Illinois. It awarded 22 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

UIS did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Springfield are $16,757, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Illinois at Springfield Political Science Report

#6

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 Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #6. This large school is located in East Lansing, Michigan, and it awarded 14 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

Michigan State also made our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #7. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Michigan State are $37,056.

Read full report on Political Science at Michigan State

#17 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, 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 Getting Aid list. IUPUI is a large school located in Indianapolis, Indiana that handed out 5 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

IUPUI did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis are $26,013, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Political Science at Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis

#13 in overall quality

University of Illinois at Chicago ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and 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 with aid 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 UIC are $27,036.

Full UIC Political Science Report

#9

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois
#15 in overall quality

Eastern Illinois University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at EIU, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Eastern Illinois University are $20,761, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full EIU Political Science Report

#10

Ball State University

Muncie, Indiana
#19 in overall quality

Ball State University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Muncie, Indiana, this large public school handed out 5 degrees to qualified masters’s poly sci students in 2019-2020.

Ball State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #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 University are $26,204.

Full Ball State University Political Science Report

#11

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#1 in overall quality

With a ranking of #11, Northwestern University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Northwestern is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Evanston, Illinois. It awarded 13 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwestern also took 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 you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Political Science at Northwestern University

#12

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. UWM is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1 masters’s poly sci degrees to qualified students.

UWM not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #0 on our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UWM are $25,295, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UWM Political Science Report

#9 in overall quality

Ohio State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #13. Located in Columbus, Ohio, this large public school handed out 6 degrees to qualified masters’s poly sci students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Ohio State, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio State are $37,141, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#14

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, Michigan
#22 in overall quality

With a ranking of #14, Central Michigan University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, this fairly large public school awarded 4 diplomas to qualified masters’s poly sci students in 2019-2020.

Central Michigan did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Central Michigan are $19,359, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Political Science at Central Michigan University

#15

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois
#23 in overall quality

Northern Illinois University landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. NIU 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.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree poly sci students with aid 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 NIU are $11,086.

Read more about Political Science at Northern Illinois University

Northeastern Illinois University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Northeastern Illinois University is a medium-sized public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 5 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Northeastern Illinois University are $17,032, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Northeastern Illinois University Political Science Report

#17

Wayne State University

Detroit, Michigan
#21 in overall quality

Wayne State University landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Detroit, Michigan, this large public school handed out 12 degrees to qualified masters’s poly sci students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Wayne State, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Wayne State University are $37,215, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Wayne State University Political Science Report

#18

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana
#3 in overall quality

University of Notre Dame landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Notre Dame is a fairly large school located in Notre Dame, Indiana that handed out 8 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree poly sci students with aid list, Notre Dame has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Notre Dame are $57,522, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science at University of Notre Dame

#19

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois
#24 in overall quality

With a ranking of #19, Western Illinois University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Macomb, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s poly sci degrees to 8 students in 2019-2020.

WIU also took the #24 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 WIU are $11,996.

Read more about Political Science at Western Illinois University

#20

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, Michigan
#14 in overall quality

Western Michigan University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. WMU 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 with aid list, WMU has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Western Michigan University are $31,355, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Political Science at WMU

#8 in overall quality

Miami University - Oxford 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 Getting Aid ranking. Miami University - Oxford is a public institution located in Oxford, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 11 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Miami University - Oxford also took 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 some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Miami University - Oxford Political Science Report

#22

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois
#18 in overall quality

Illinois State University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Illinois State University is a public institution located in Normal, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 9 masters’s 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. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Illinois State University are $11,069.

Read full report on Political Science at Illinois State University

University of Akron Main Campus 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 Getting Aid ranking. University of Akron Main Campus is a public institution located in Akron, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Akron Main Campus are $15,217.

Read more about Political Science at University of Akron Main Campus

#11 in overall quality

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. UC is a public institution located in Cincinnati, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC are $26,644, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Political Science at University of Cincinnati - Main Campus

#25 in overall quality

Kent State University at Kent did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #25. This large school is located in Kent, Ohio, and it awarded 2 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

Kent State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 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 Kent State University at Kent are $21,952.

Full Kent State University at Kent Political Science Report

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

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.

Credits

Featured Political and Social Sciences Schools

Find Schools Near You