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2022 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Political Science & Government (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region

19 Ranked Colleges
120 Degrees Awarded
$34,400 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. 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 in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” 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.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 5,852 political science and government graduates with average earnings and debt of $32,057 and $23,720 respectively. At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 120 political science and government graduates with average earnings and debt of $74,428 and $121,375 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking looked at 19 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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.

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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to 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 in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region doctor’s degree political science students whose families make $48-$75k.

Top 19 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Political Science & Government (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#1 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northwestern University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Northwestern is located in Evanston, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 15 doctorate’s political science degrees to qualified students.

Northwestern also took the #1 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern University are $56,567, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Northwestern Political Science & Government Report

#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 for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 11 degrees to qualified doctorate’s political science students in 2019-2020.

UChicago not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Chicago are $61,548.

Read more about Political Science & Government at UChicago

#4 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k. This large school is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and it awarded 14 doctorate’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

U-M did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at U-M are $49,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science & Government at U-M

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k. Madison, Wisconsin is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s political science degrees to 8 students in 2019-2020.

UW - Madison also made our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #5. 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

#5

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana
#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Notre Dame. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k. University of Notre Dame is a fairly large school located in Notre Dame, Indiana that handed out 10 doctorate’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Notre Dame, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Notre Dame are $57,522, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Notre Dame

#6

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
#7 in overall quality

Purdue University - Main Campus landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in West Lafayette, Indiana, this large public school awarded 5 degrees to qualified doctorate’s political science students in 2019-2020.

Purdue also made our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #7. Average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue are $28,794, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Purdue University - Main Campus Political Science & Government Report

#7

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#6 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, Indiana University - Bloomington did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Indiana University - Bloomington is a large public school situated in Bloomington, Indiana. It awarded 19 doctorate’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree political science students whose families make $48-$75k list, IU Bloomington has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - Bloomington are $33,338.

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

#8 in overall quality

With a ranking of #8, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Champaign, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s political science degrees to 5 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree political science students whose families make $48-$75k list, UIUC has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are $30,083, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science & Government at UIUC

#10 in overall quality

Ohio State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #9. Ohio State is a large school located in Columbus, Ohio that handed out 7 doctorate’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Ohio State also made our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #10. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio State are $37,141, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Ohio State

#12 in overall quality

University of Illinois at Chicago ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this large public school handed out 3 degrees to qualified doctorate’s political science students in 2019-2020.

UIC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Chicago are $27,036, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Illinois at Chicago Political Science & Government Report

#11

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois
#15 in overall quality

With a ranking of #11, Northern Illinois University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. NIU is a fairly large public school situated in Dekalb, Illinois. It awarded 2 doctorate’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

NIU also made our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #15. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at NIU are $11,086.

Read more about Political Science & Government at NIU

#12

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan
#9 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, Michigan State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. East Lansing, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s political science degrees to 8 students in 2019-2020.

Michigan State also made our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #9. Average graduate tuition and fees at Michigan State are $37,056, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#13

Wayne State University

Detroit, Michigan
#18 in overall quality

With a ranking of #13, Wayne State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Wayne State University is located in Detroit, Michigan and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 doctorate’s political science degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree political science students whose families make $48-$75k list, Wayne State has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Wayne State are $37,215.

Full Wayne State Political Science & Government Report

#17 in overall quality

Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Carbondale, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s political science degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

SIUC also made our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #17. Average graduate tuition and fees at SIUC are $32,928, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full SIUC Political Science & Government Report

#15

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
#16 in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UWM is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1 doctorate’s political science degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UWM, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee are $25,295, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#11 in overall quality

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of Cincinnati - Main Campus is a large school located in Cincinnati, Ohio that handed out 2 doctorate’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

UC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Cincinnati - Main Campus are $26,644, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at UC

#19 in overall quality

With a ranking of #17, Kent State University at Kent did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Kent State is a public institution located in Kent, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Kent State, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Kent State are $21,952, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Kent State Political Science & Government Report

#18

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, Michigan
#14 in overall quality

Western Michigan University landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Western Michigan University is a fairly large public school situated in Kalamazoo, Michigan. It awarded 1 doctorate’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree political science students whose families make $48-$75k list, WMU has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at WMU are $31,355, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Western Michigan University

#19

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#13 in overall quality

Loyola University Chicago ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 2 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s political science students in 2019-2020.

Loyola Chicago did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Loyola University Chicago are $19,154, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Loyola 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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