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2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k

34 Ranked Colleges
1,532 Degrees Awarded
$13,500 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2019-2020, 48,597 people earned their degree in political science and government, making the major the 21st most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, political science and government graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $33,977 and had an average of $22,822 in loans still to pay off.

Across Illinois, there were 1,532 political science and government graduates with average earnings and debt of $32,277 and $22,016 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 34 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in political science and government. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great political science and government 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 and government program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

The political science 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 Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k”.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. 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 Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for illinois political science students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Political Science & Government (Income $0-$30k) in Illinois

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois

Out of the 34 schools in the Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwestern University landed the #1 spot on the list. Northwestern is a private not-for-profit institution located in Evanston, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 149 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwestern did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $1,866 for Illinois Political Science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Northwestern.

The low student loan default rate of 0.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Northwestern University

#2

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Chicago. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 126 degrees to qualified ’s political science students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UChicago, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Chicago is $2,712 for Illinois Political Science students whose families make $0-$30k.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. With a freshman retention rate of 100%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 0.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at University of Chicago

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is located in Champaign, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 268 ’s political science degrees to qualified students.

UIUC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $5,477 for illinois political science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Political Science & Government Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is located in Edwardsville, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 30 ’s political science degrees to qualified students.

SIUE also made our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #19. It costs about $8,055 for Illinois Political Science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend SIUE.

Full Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Political Science & Government Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Illinois at Chicago. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k. UIC is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 78 ’s political science degrees to qualified students.

UIC also made our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #12. It costs about $10,648 for Illinois Political Science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UIC.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

#6

Saint Xavier University

Chicago, Illinois

With a ranking of #6, Saint Xavier University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Saint Xavier University is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 13 ’s political science degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SXU, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $11,266 for illinois political science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Saint Xavier University.

Read more about Political Science & Government at SXU

#7

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois

Northern Illinois University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. Northern Illinois University is located in Dekalb, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 91 ’s political science degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at NIU, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend NIU is $15,281 for Illinois Political Science students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Political Science & Government at NIU

University of Illinois at Springfield came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UIS is a small public school situated in Springfield, Illinois. It awarded 41 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

UIS not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $9,771 for Illinois Political Science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UIS.

Read more about Political Science & Government at University of Illinois at Springfield

#9

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois

Illinois State University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Illinois State is a large school located in Normal, Illinois that handed out 96 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Illinois State also took the #6 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $14,470 for illinois political science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Illinois State University.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Illinois State University

#10

Wheaton College Illinois

Wheaton, Illinois

Wheaton College Illinois ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Wheaton College Illinois is a small school located in Wheaton, Illinois that handed out 17 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Wheaton College Illinois also took the #4 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $18,440 for illinois political science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Wheaton College Illinois.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Wheaton College Illinois

#11

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois

With a ranking of #11, Eastern Illinois University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Eastern Illinois University is located in Charleston, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 40 ’s political science degrees to qualified students.

EIU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Eastern Illinois University is $12,350 for illinois political science students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Eastern Illinois University

With a ranking of #12, Southern Illinois University Carbondale did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Carbondale, Illinois, and it awarded 32 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

SIUC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for SIUC is $13,658 for illinois political science students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at SIUC

#13

Illinois College

Jacksonville, Illinois

With a ranking of #13, Illinois College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Illinois College is located in Jacksonville, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 ’s political science degrees to qualified students.

Illinois College also made our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #23. It costs about $11,376 for illinois political science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Illinois College.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Illinois College

#14

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois

Western Illinois University landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Western Illinois University is a medium-sized school located in Macomb, Illinois that handed out 26 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at WIU, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend WIU is $13,942 for Illinois Political Science students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Western Illinois University

#15

Lake Forest College

Lake Forest, Illinois

Lake Forest College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Lake Forest is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Lake Forest, Illinois. It awarded 17 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Lake Forest, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Lake Forest is $18,192 for Illinois Political Science students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Lake Forest

#16

University of St Francis

Joliet, Illinois

University of St Francis did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. University of Saint Francis is a private not-for-profit institution located in Joliet, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 7 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Saint Francis also made our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #21. The yearly cost to attend University of Saint Francis is $15,847 for Illinois Political Science students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 3.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full University of Saint Francis Political Science & Government Report

#17

Elmhurst University

Elmhurst, Illinois

Elmhurst University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Elmhurst University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Elmhurst, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 14 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Elmhurst not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $16,903 for Illinois Political Science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Elmhurst.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Elmhurst

#18

Augustana College

Rock Island, Illinois

Augustana College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in Rock Island, Illinois, and it awarded 29 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois political science students whose families make $0-$30k list, Augustana has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $20,355 for illinois political science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Augustana.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The low student loan default rate of 3.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Augustana College

#19

Bradley University

Peoria, Illinois

With a ranking of #19, Bradley University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Bradley University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Peoria, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 20 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Bradley also made our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #10. The yearly cost to attend Bradley is $17,205 for illinois political science students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Bradley University

#20

Illinois Wesleyan University

Bloomington, Illinois

Illinois Wesleyan University landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Illinois Wesleyan University is a small school located in Bloomington, Illinois that handed out 7 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Illinois Wesleyan also made our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #5. The estimated yearly cost for Illinois Wesleyan University is $18,570 for illinois political science students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Illinois Wesleyan University

#21

Knox College

Galesburg, Illinois

Knox College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Knox is a private not-for-profit institution located in Galesburg, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 11 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Knox also took the #18 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $16,828 for Illinois Political Science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Knox College.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Knox Political Science & Government Report

Northeastern Illinois University landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Northeastern Illinois University is a medium-sized public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 25 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Northeastern Illinois University is $14,816 for illinois political science students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Northeastern Illinois University

#23

McKendree University

Lebanon, Illinois

McKendree University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Lebanon, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 7 diplomas to qualified ’s political science students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $15,184 for illinois political science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend McKendree University.

Full McKendree Political Science & Government Report

#24

Millikin University

Decatur, Illinois

Millikin University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #24. Millikin is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Decatur, Illinois. It awarded 3 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Millikin University is $17,656 for Illinois Political Science students whose families make $0-$30k.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full Millikin Political Science & Government Report

#25

Dominican University

River Forest, Illinois

With a ranking of #25, Dominican University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Dominican University is a small school located in River Forest, Illinois that handed out 8 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois political science students whose families make $0-$30k list, Dominican U has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $17,060 for Illinois Political Science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Dominican U.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full Dominican University Political Science & Government 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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