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2022 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Political Science & Government (Income $30-$48k)

113 Ranked Colleges
696 Degrees Awarded
$45,600 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking.

Political Science & Government is the 21st most popular major in the country with 48,597 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. 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.

At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 696 political science and government graduates with average earnings and debt of $72,680 and $116,043 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 113 colleges that offered a degree in political science and government. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent political science and government programs, but they also 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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 for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k”.

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. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for doctor’s degree political science students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Political Science & Government (Income $30-$48k)

#1

Duke University

Durham, North Carolina
#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Duke University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k. Duke is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Durham, North Carolina. It awarded 15 doctorate’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Duke, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Duke are $59,140, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Duke Political Science & Government Report

#2

Yale University

New Haven, Connecticut
#1 in overall quality

Out of the 113 schools in the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Yale University landed the #2 spot on the list. Yale is located in New Haven, Connecticut and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 21 doctorate’s political science degrees to qualified students.

Yale not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Yale University are $44,500, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Yale

#3

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#4 in overall quality

Out of the 113 schools in the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Stanford University landed the #3 spot on the list. Stanford University is a fairly large school located in Stanford, California that handed out 18 doctorate’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree political science students whose families make $30-$48k list, Stanford has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford University are $55,011, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Stanford Political Science & Government Report

#4

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts

Out of the 113 schools in the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Harvard University landed the #4 spot on the list. Harvard is a private not-for-profit institution located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The school has a large population, and it awarded 16 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Harvard also took the #5 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Harvard University are $50,654.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Harvard

#5

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#7 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northwestern University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k. Evanston, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s political science degrees to 15 students in 2019-2020.

Northwestern did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern University are $56,567, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Northwestern

#6

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
#3 in overall quality

University of Pennsylvania did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #6. UPenn is a private not-for-profit institution located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The school has a large population, and it awarded 10 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UPenn, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UPenn are $41,760.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at UPenn

#7

Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri
#11 in overall quality

Washington University in St Louis landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Saint Louis, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s political science degrees to 7 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree political science students whose families make $30-$48k list, WUSTL has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at WUSTL are $56,562.

Full WUSTL Political Science & Government Report

#8

Princeton University

Princeton, New Jersey
#10 in overall quality

Princeton University landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Princeton is a private not-for-profit institution located in Princeton, New Jersey. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 26 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Princeton also took the #10 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Princeton University are $56,470, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Princeton

#6 in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, Columbia University in the City of New York did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in New York, New York, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 16 degrees to qualified doctorate’s political science students in 2019-2020.

Columbia also made our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #6. Average graduate tuition and fees at Columbia are $51,194, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Columbia

#10

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, Maryland
#8 in overall quality

Johns Hopkins University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Baltimore, Maryland, and it awarded 5 doctorate’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Johns Hopkins not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Johns Hopkins are $59,425, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Johns Hopkins

#11

Rice University

Houston, Texas
Top 25% in overall quality

Rice University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Rice is a medium-sized school located in Houston, Texas that handed out 2 doctorate’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Rice are $47,913, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Rice

#12

Brown University

Providence, Rhode Island
#17 in overall quality

Brown University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Providence, Rhode Island is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s political science degrees to 4 students in 2019-2020.

Brown not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Brown University are $60,363.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Brown University

#13

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee
#14 in overall quality

With a ranking of #13, Vanderbilt University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Vanderbilt is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Nashville, Tennessee. It awarded 4 doctorate’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree political science students whose families make $30-$48k list, Vanderbilt has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Vanderbilt are $50,624.

Full Vanderbilt University Political Science & Government Report

#14

Cornell University

Ithaca, New York
#15 in overall quality

Cornell University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Cornell is located in Ithaca, New York and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 doctorate’s political science degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cornell, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cornell are $30,042, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Cornell University Political Science & Government Report

#15

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, Michigan
#13 in overall quality

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is a large public school situated in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It awarded 14 doctorate’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

U-M did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor are $49,548, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Political Science & Government at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

#16

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

University of Chicago came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 11 doctorate’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

UChicago not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UChicago are $61,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at UChicago

University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Wisconsin - Madison is a public institution located in Madison, Wisconsin. The school has a large population, and it awarded 8 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - Madison, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Madison are $25,523, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at University of Wisconsin - Madison

#18

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida

University of Florida came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UF is a large school located in Gainesville, Florida that handed out 8 doctorate’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UF are $30,130, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science & Government at UF

#19

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana
#9 in overall quality

University of Notre Dame did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #19. 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.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree political science students whose families make $30-$48k list, Notre Dame has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Notre Dame are $57,522.

Read more about Political Science & Government at University of Notre Dame

#20

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UNC Chapel Hill is a large public school situated in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. It awarded 8 doctorate’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UNC Chapel Hill are $30,248, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

#21

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#24 in overall quality

Indiana University - Bloomington ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Indiana University - Bloomington is a public institution located in Bloomington, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 19 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

IU Bloomington also made our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #24. Average graduate tuition and fees at IU Bloomington are $33,338, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Indiana University - Bloomington

#22

Boston College

Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts

Boston College landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s political science degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Boston College are $31,930, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Boston College Political Science & Government Report

#23

Northeastern University

Boston, Massachusetts

Northeastern University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #23. Boston, Massachusetts is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s political science degrees to 2 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Northeastern are $25,558, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Northeastern Political Science & Government Report

#24

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana

Purdue University - Main Campus came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in West Lafayette, Indiana, this large public school awarded 5 degrees to qualified doctorate’s political science students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue University - Main Campus are $28,794, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Purdue University - Main Campus Political Science & Government Report

#25

Emory University

Atlanta, Georgia
#20 in overall quality

Emory University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Atlanta, Georgia, and it awarded 5 doctorate’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Emory, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Emory are $44,676, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Emory 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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