2027 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Political Science](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/political-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 84 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value political science schools.
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2027 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the political science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Political Science Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Michigan Ann Arbor the best value for a degree in political science in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Students borrow a median of $18,862 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $39,702. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Chicago earned it the #2 place for political science. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Political Science graduates carry a median of $21,761 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $38,363. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Sinclair Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,675, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Students borrow a median of $12,525 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $35,348. That is a strong return on a $12,525 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in political science will find it at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $36,535. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Students looking for strong value in political science will find it at Indiana University East, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Richmond, Indiana University East is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Political Science graduates carry a median of $24,098 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $49,598. That is a strong return on a $24,098 median debt. The acceptance rate is 67%.
University Of Michigan Dearborn placed #6 among the best values for political science. University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dearborn. Students from in state pay about $15,640 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,175 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $32,266. That is a strong return on a $23,175 median debt. University Of Michigan Dearborn admits about 56% of applicants.
University Of Chicago ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,324. Political Science graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $56,022. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Oakland University came in at #8 for value in political science this year. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. Students from in state pay about $17,167 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $23,054. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $29,080. Set against $23,054 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Indiana State University placed #9 among the best values for political science. Set in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,258, with out-of-state students paying around $22,322. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $25,987. Political Science graduates of Indiana State University earn a median of $33,352 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Springfield placed #10 among the best values for political science. University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. Students from in state pay about $12,557 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,139 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $25,848. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Springfield generally make around $52,565. Set against $25,848 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Michigan Flint came in at #11 for value in political science this year. University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Flint. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,236, with out-of-state students paying around $27,790. Students borrow a median of $31,016 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Michigan Flint generally make around $51,692. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Flint admits about 70% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #12 for value in political science this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $20,025. Early-career political science graduates make about $35,172. That is a strong return on a $20,025 median debt. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #13 spot for political science value this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Political Science graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $39,708 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
Wayne State University earned the #14 position for value in political science this year. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,812 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Wayne State University generally make around $30,345. Set against $23,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wayne State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Saginaw Valley State University earned the #15 position for value in political science this year. Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of University Center. In-state tuition and fees average $12,930, with out-of-state students paying around $30,450. Students borrow a median of $30,596 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of Saginaw Valley State University earn a median of $35,059 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,596 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh placed #16 among the best values for political science. Located in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,532 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,446. Students borrow a median of $25,015 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $42,366. Set against $25,015 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh admits about 86% of applicants.
Youngstown State University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,926, compared with $10,286 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $25,000. Early-career political science graduates make about $28,148. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Detroit Mercy landed the #18 spot for political science value this year. Set in the city of Detroit, University Of Detroit Mercy is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $32,946. Students borrow a median of $29,053 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $76,755. That is a strong return on a $29,053 median debt. University Of Detroit Mercy admits about 75% of applicants.
Northern Illinois University landed the #19 spot for political science value this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,060. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $32,225. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
Eastern Illinois University placed #20 among the best values for political science. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,377, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Students borrow a median of $24,739 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $28,721. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Illinois University admits about 65% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #21 for value in political science this year. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,334. Political Science graduates carry a median of $26,171 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $26,635 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,171 median debt. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.
Western Illinois University landed the #22 spot for political science value this year. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. Students from in state pay about $14,572 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of Western Illinois University earn a median of $32,359 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Green Bay ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Located in the city of Green Bay, University Of Wisconsin Green Bay is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,700, with out-of-state students paying around $17,288. Political Science graduates carry a median of $23,383 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $36,036. That is a strong return on a $23,383 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Bloomington placed #24 among the best values for political science. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Students borrow a median of $17,951 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $32,568. That is a strong return on a $17,951 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Albion College landed the #25 spot for political science value this year. Set in the town of Albion, Albion College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,950. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $26,267. Political Science graduates of Albion College earn a median of $39,066 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Albion College admits about 81% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Political Science Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for political science this year:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 84 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 84 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
