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2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k

34 Ranked Colleges
1,532 Degrees Awarded
$13,700 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this 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.

For this year’s “Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 34 colleges that offer a degree 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.

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 and government program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Political Science & Government Schools

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 $30-$48k”.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Political Science & Government (Income $30-$48k) in Illinois

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois

Out of the 34 schools in the Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwestern University landed the #1 spot on the list. Northwestern University is located in Evanston, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 149 ’s political science degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our illinois political science students whose families make $30-$48k list, Northwestern has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Northwestern is $3,995 for Illinois Political Science students whose families make $30-$48k.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 0.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Northwestern University Political Science & Government Report

#2

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

Out of the 34 schools in the Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Chicago landed the #2 spot on the list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s political science degrees to 126 students in 2019-2020.

UChicago not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for UChicago is $2,800 for illinois political science students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The low student loan default rate of 0.6% 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 100%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at UChicago

Out of the 34 schools in the Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #3 spot on the list. Champaign, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s political science degrees to 268 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIUC, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $8,464 for illinois political science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, 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 2.4%, which is much lower than the national 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 University of Illinois at Springfield. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k. Springfield, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s political science degrees to 41 students in 2019-2020.

UIS also made our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #16. The yearly cost to attend University of Illinois at Springfield is $8,323 for illinois political science students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at UIS

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k. 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 $9,938 for illinois political science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend SIUE.

Full SIUE Political Science & Government Report

University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #6. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this large public school handed out 78 degrees to qualified ’s political science students in 2019-2020.

UIC also took the #12 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UIC is $11,185 for illinois political science students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Full UIC Political Science & Government Report

#7

Saint Xavier University

Chicago, Illinois

Saint Xavier University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. This small school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 13 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

SXU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for SXU is $11,962 for illinois political science students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Saint Xavier University Political Science & Government Report

#8

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois

Eastern Illinois University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Charleston, Illinois, this medium-sized public school awarded 40 diplomas to qualified ’s political science students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at EIU, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for EIU is $11,316 for illinois political science students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full EIU Political Science & Government Report

#9

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois

Northern Illinois University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Dekalb, Illinois, and it awarded 91 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

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 $15,861 for illinois political science students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Northern Illinois University

#10

Knox College

Galesburg, Illinois

Knox College landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Knox College is a small school located in Galesburg, Illinois that handed out 11 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Knox also took the #18 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Knox College is $19,186 for Illinois Political Science students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The low student loan default rate of 4.8% 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%.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Knox

#11

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois

Illinois State University landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Illinois State is located in Normal, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 96 ’s political science degrees to qualified students.

Illinois State also took the #6 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $14,999 for Illinois Political Science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Illinois State.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Illinois State Political Science & Government Report

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 $30-$48k list. SIUC is located in Carbondale, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 32 ’s political science degrees to qualified students.

SIUC also took the #22 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Southern Illinois University Carbondale is $14,306 for illinois political science students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full SIUC Political Science & Government Report

#13

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois

Western Illinois University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. WIU is a public institution located in Macomb, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 26 ’s 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 $14,526 for Illinois Political Science students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Western Illinois University Political Science & Government Report

#14

University of St Francis

Joliet, Illinois

University of St Francis landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of St Francis is located in Joliet, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 ’s political science degrees to qualified students.

University of Saint Francis did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $11,229 for Illinois Political Science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of St Francis.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Political Science & Government at University of St Francis

#15

Illinois College

Jacksonville, Illinois

With a ranking of #15, Illinois College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Jacksonville, Illinois, and it awarded 7 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois political science students whose families make $30-$48k list, Illinois College has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $12,454 for Illinois Political Science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Illinois College.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Illinois College

#16

Wheaton College Illinois

Wheaton, Illinois

Wheaton College Illinois came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. 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 not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Wheaton College Illinois is $16,212 for illinois political science students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 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. 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%.

Full Wheaton College Illinois Political Science & Government Report

#17

Lake Forest College

Lake Forest, Illinois

With a ranking of #17, Lake Forest College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Lake Forest College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Lake Forest, Illinois. It awarded 17 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Lake Forest also made our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #8. It costs about $19,152 for Illinois Political Science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Lake Forest.

The low student loan default rate of 2.5% 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 Lake Forest College Political Science & Government Report

Northeastern Illinois University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #18. This medium-sized school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 25 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $15,513 for illinois political science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Northeastern Illinois University.

Full Northeastern Illinois University Political Science & Government Report

#19

Elmhurst University

Elmhurst, Illinois

Elmhurst University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #19. 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.

In addition to being on our illinois political science students whose families make $30-$48k list, Elmhurst has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Elmhurst University is $17,837 for illinois political science students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low student loan default rate of 3.0% 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 Elmhurst Political Science & Government Report

#20

Dominican University

River Forest, Illinois

Dominican University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in River Forest, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 8 diplomas to qualified ’s political science students in 2019-2020.

Dominican U also made our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #24. The yearly cost to attend Dominican U is $17,586 for illinois political science students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 more about Political Science & Government at Dominican U

#21

Bradley University

Peoria, Illinois

Bradley University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Peoria, Illinois, and it awarded 20 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Bradley did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Bradley is $18,232 for illinois political science students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. 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

#22

Augustana College

Rock Island, Illinois

Augustana College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #22. This small school is located in Rock Island, Illinois, and it awarded 29 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Augustana did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $16,249 for Illinois Political Science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Augustana.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Augustana

#23

Illinois Wesleyan University

Bloomington, Illinois

Illinois Wesleyan University landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Bloomington, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 7 degrees to qualified ’s political science students in 2019-2020.

Illinois Wesleyan not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Illinois Wesleyan University is $19,857 for illinois political science students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

Full Illinois Wesleyan University Political Science & Government Report

#24

Olivet Nazarene University

Bourbonnais, Illinois

With a ranking of #24, Olivet Nazarene University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k list. Olivet Nazarene University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Bourbonnais, Illinois. It awarded 12 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $15,390 for illinois political science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Olivet Nazarene.

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%.

Full Olivet Nazarene University Political Science & Government Report

#25

Concordia University, Chicago

River Forest, Illinois

Concordia University, Chicago landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Concordia University, Chicago is located in River Forest, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 ’s political science degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $15,406 for Illinois Political Science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Concordia University, Chicago.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Concordia University, Chicago

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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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