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

188 Ranked Colleges
1,850 Degrees Awarded
$46,400 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master's For Those Making $30-$48k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

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.

At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 1,850 political science and government graduates with average earnings and debt of $56,398 and $43,194 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 188 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in political science and government. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality political science and government programs that also have a lower cost than 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Political Science & Government 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 Political Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k” list to help you make the college decision.

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. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k.

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

#1

Duke University

Durham, North Carolina
#3 in overall quality

Out of the 188 schools in the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Duke University landed the #1 spot on the list. Duke is located in Durham, North Carolina and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 25 masters’s political science degrees to qualified students.

Duke not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Duke University are $59,140.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Duke

#2

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts
#4 in overall quality

Out of the 188 schools in the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Harvard University landed the #2 spot on the list. This large school is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and it awarded 36 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Harvard, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Harvard University are $50,654, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Harvard University

#3

Yale University

New Haven, Connecticut
#1 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Yale University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k. Yale University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in New Haven, Connecticut. It awarded 39 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree political science students whose families make $30-$48k list, Yale has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Yale University are $44,500, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Yale University Political Science & Government Report

#4

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#9 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northwestern University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s 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 masters’s political science degrees to 13 students in 2019-2020.

Northwestern also made our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #9. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern are $56,567.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Northwestern

#5

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#10 in overall quality

Out of the 188 schools in the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Stanford University landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Stanford, California, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 11 degrees to qualified masters’s political science students in 2019-2020.

Stanford not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford University are $55,011.

Full Stanford Political Science & Government Report

#6

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, Maryland

Johns Hopkins University landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Baltimore, Maryland, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 89 diplomas to qualified masters’s political science students in 2019-2020.

Johns Hopkins also made our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #2. Average graduate tuition and fees at Johns Hopkins University are $59,425, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Johns Hopkins Political Science & Government Report

#7

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
#8 in overall quality

University of Pennsylvania came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The school has a large population, and it awarded 5 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UPenn did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UPenn are $41,760, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UPenn Political Science & Government Report

#8

Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri
#13 in overall quality

Washington University in St Louis came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s 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 masters’s political science degrees to 5 students in 2019-2020.

WUSTL did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Washington University in St Louis are $56,562, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Washington University in St Louis

#5 in overall quality

Columbia University in the City of New York came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Columbia University in the City of New York is a large school located in New York, New York that handed out 42 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Columbia also made our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #5. Average graduate tuition and fees at Columbia University in the City of New York are $51,194, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Columbia University in the City of New York

#10

Rice University

Houston, Texas
#23 in overall quality

Rice University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Houston, Texas, and it awarded 7 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Rice did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools” list. 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 University

#11

Princeton University

Princeton, New Jersey
#14 in overall quality

Princeton University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #11. This medium-sized school is located in Princeton, New Jersey, and it awarded 21 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Princeton did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Princeton University are $56,470, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Princeton

#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 Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Providence, Rhode Island, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 9 diplomas to qualified masters’s political science students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Brown, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Brown are $60,363.

Full Brown University Political Science & Government Report

#13

Cornell University

Ithaca, New York
#12 in overall quality

With a ranking of #13, Cornell University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Cornell is a private not-for-profit institution located in Ithaca, New York. The school has a large population, and it awarded 10 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Cornell did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cornell University are $30,042, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Cornell

#14

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee
#16 in overall quality

With a ranking of #14, Vanderbilt University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Vanderbilt University is a fairly large school located in Nashville, Tennessee that handed out 4 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Vanderbilt, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’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 Political Science & Government Report

#15

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#11 in overall quality

University of Chicago landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 9 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

UChicago not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UChicago are $61,548.

Full UChicago Political Science & Government Report

#16

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida

University of Florida ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Florida is a large school located in Gainesville, Florida that handed out 14 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

UF excels when it comes to political science quality. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category. Average graduate tuition and fees at UF are $30,130, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Political Science & Government at University of Florida

#17

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, Michigan
#25 in overall quality

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #17. U-M is a public institution located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 6 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

U-M also took the #25 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. 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

#18

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina
#24 in overall quality

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UNC Chapel Hill is a public institution located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 25 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UNC Chapel Hill did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are $30,248.

Full University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Political Science & Government Report

#19

Georgetown University

Washington, District of Columbia

Georgetown University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Washington, District of Columbia. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 56 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Georgetown also took the #6 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Georgetown University are $53,591, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Georgetown

#20

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana
#15 in overall quality

With a ranking of #20, University of Notre Dame did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Notre Dame is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Notre Dame, Indiana. It awarded 8 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Notre Dame, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Notre Dame are $57,522, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Notre Dame

#21

Boston College

Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
Top 15% in overall quality

Boston College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #21. Boston College is a fairly large school located in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts that handed out 6 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Boston College is also in the top of our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. It’s in the top 15% of all schools in this category. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Boston College are $31,930.

Full Boston College Political Science & Government Report

#22

Northeastern University

Boston, Massachusetts
#22 in overall quality

Northeastern University landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Northeastern University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Boston, Massachusetts. The school has a large population, and it awarded 9 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Northeastern also made our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #22. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northeastern University are $25,558, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Northeastern University Political Science & Government Report

Top 25% in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Madison ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Wisconsin - Madison is located in Madison, Wisconsin and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1 masters’s political science degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Madison are $25,523, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Political Science & Government at University of Wisconsin - Madison

#24

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
Top 20% in overall quality

Purdue University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #24. Located in West Lafayette, Indiana, this large public school awarded 5 degrees to qualified masters’s political science students in 2019-2020.

Purdue excels when it comes to political science quality. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. Average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue University - Main Campus are $28,794, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Purdue University - Main Campus Political Science & Government Report

#25

Emory University

Atlanta, Georgia
#19 in overall quality

Emory University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Atlanta, Georgia is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s political science degrees to 7 students in 2019-2020.

Emory also took the #19 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Emory are $44,676, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Emory

Rest of the Best 29 in Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k

Not only did these schools make the top 29 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

#27

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#28

University of Virginia - Main Campus

Charlottesville, Virginia
#29

The University of West Florida

Pensacola, Florida

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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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