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2023 Best Value Colleges for Political Science & Government (Income $75-$110k) in the Great Lakes Region

86 Ranked Colleges
5,797 Degrees Awarded
$18,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Political Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Political Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2020-2021, 49,282 people earned their degree in political science and government, making the major the 20th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, political science and government graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $34,387 and had an average of $23,175 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 5,797 political science and government graduates with average earnings and debt of $33,195 and $24,420 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Political Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking analyzed 86 colleges that offered a degree 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.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the political science and government program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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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 in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k” 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. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Political Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region political science students whose families make $75-$110k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Political Science & Government (Income $75-$110k) in the Great Lakes Region

1
UChicago crest
University of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

Out of the 86 schools in the Best Value Political Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Chicago landed the #1 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 139 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.

UChicago also made our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #1. It costs about $19,895 for Great Lakes Region Political Science students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend UChicago.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate 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. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 100%.

Full UChicago Political Science & Government Report

2
Northwestern crest
Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northwestern University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Political Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k. Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Evanston, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 140 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region political science students whose families make $75-$110k list, Northwestern has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $15,686 for great lakes region political science students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Northwestern University.

With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The impressive undergraduate 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. The low undergrad 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%.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Northwestern

3

Out of the 86 schools in the Best Value Political Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor landed the #3 spot on the list. Ann Arbor, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s political science degrees to 285 students in 2020-2021.

U-M not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is $17,207 for Great Lakes Region Political Science students whose families make $75-$110k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

4
Notre Dame crest
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, Indiana

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Notre Dame. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Political Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k. Located in Notre Dame, Indiana, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 204 degrees to qualified ’s political science students in 2020-2021.

Notre Dame did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $18,969 for great lakes region political science students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Notre Dame.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

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

5
Beloit crest
Beloit College
Beloit, Wisconsin

Out of the 86 schools in the Best Value Political Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, Beloit College landed the #5 spot on the list. Beloit College is located in Beloit, Wisconsin and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 14 ’s political science degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $12,822 for Great Lakes Region Political Science students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Beloit College.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%.

Full Beloit Political Science & Government Report

6
Purdue crest
Purdue University - Main Campus
West Lafayette, Indiana

With a ranking of #6, Purdue University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Purdue University - Main Campus is a large school located in West Lafayette, Indiana that handed out 135 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.

Purdue not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Purdue University - Main Campus is $17,124 for Great Lakes Region Political Science students whose families make $75-$110k.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% 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 Purdue University - Main Campus Political Science & Government Report

7

University of Wisconsin - Madison ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. This large school is located in Madison, Wisconsin, and it awarded 447 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.

UW - Madison also took the #5 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Madison is $22,377 for great lakes region political science students whose families make $75-$110k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

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

8
IU Bloomington crest
Indiana University - Bloomington
Bloomington, Indiana

Indiana University - Bloomington landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Bloomington, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s political science degrees to 141 students in 2020-2021.

IU Bloomington did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for IU Bloomington is $20,234 for great lakes region political science students whose families make $75-$110k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The low undergrad 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 Indiana University - Bloomington Political Science & Government Report

9

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. This large school is located in Champaign, Illinois, and it awarded 257 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.

UIUC also took the #6 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $22,400 for great lakes region political science students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Political Science & Government at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

10

Ohio State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #10. Columbus, Ohio is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s political science degrees to 277 students in 2020-2021.

Ohio State also took the #7 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $21,575 for great lakes region political science students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Ohio State University - Main Campus.

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 low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% 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%.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Ohio State

11

University of Wisconsin - La Crosse came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. This fairly large school is located in La Crosse, Wisconsin, and it awarded 59 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $16,472 for Great Lakes Region Political Science students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend University of Wisconsin - La Crosse.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

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

12

University of Wisconsin - River Falls ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. River Falls, Wisconsin is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s political science degrees to 12 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UW - River Falls is $16,739 for Great Lakes Region Political Science students whose families make $75-$110k.

The undergrad 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 UW - River Falls

13
Wabash crest
Wabash College
Crawfordsville, Indiana

With a ranking of #13, Wabash College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Wabash is located in Crawfordsville, Indiana and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 20 ’s political science degrees to qualified students.

Wabash not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $22,259 for Great Lakes Region Political Science students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Wabash College.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% 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 undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Wabash College

14

With a ranking of #14, University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s political science degrees to 100 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region political science students whose families make $75-$110k list, UIC has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $19,839 for Great Lakes Region Political Science students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend University of Illinois at Chicago.

The low undergrad 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%.

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

15
DePauw crest
DePauw University
Greencastle, Indiana

DePauw University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #15. DePauw is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Greencastle, Indiana. It awarded 20 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.

DePauw also made our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #12. The yearly cost to attend DePauw is $23,092 for Great Lakes Region Political Science students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 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 89%.

Full DePauw University Political Science & Government Report

16
Oakland crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, Michigan

Oakland University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Oakland University is located in Rochester Hills, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 44 ’s political science degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $16,142 for great lakes region political science students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Oakland University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% 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%.

Full Oakland Political Science & Government Report

17
Wayne State crest
Wayne State University
Detroit, Michigan

Wayne State University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Wayne State University is a public institution located in Detroit, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 68 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Wayne State University is $17,814 for Great Lakes Region Political Science students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Wayne State

18

With a ranking of #18, University of Wisconsin - Whitewater did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. This fairly large school is located in Whitewater, Wisconsin, and it awarded 57 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Whitewater is $17,253 for Great Lakes Region Political Science students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read more about Political Science & Government at UW - Whitewater

19

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, this fairly large public school handed out 39 diplomas to qualified ’s political science students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire is $18,816 for Great Lakes Region Political Science students whose families make $75-$110k.

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

20

University of Michigan - Dearborn did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #20. Dearborn, Michigan is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s political science degrees to 23 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Michigan - Dearborn is $17,197 for great lakes region political science students whose families make $75-$110k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

21

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. IUPUI is a large public school situated in Indianapolis, Indiana. It awarded 33 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis is $17,844 for Great Lakes Region Political Science students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

22

University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point is a medium-sized school located in Stevens Point, Wisconsin that handed out 24 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point is $16,503 for Great Lakes Region Political Science students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read more about Political Science & Government at UW - Stevens Point

23
Central Michigan crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, Michigan

Central Michigan University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #23. Central Michigan is a fairly large public school situated in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. It awarded 55 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Central Michigan University is $18,135 for great lakes region political science students whose families make $75-$110k.

The low undergrad 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%.

Full Central Michigan Political Science & Government Report

24

With a ranking of #24, University of Illinois at Springfield did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. University of Illinois at Springfield is a public institution located in Springfield, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 38 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,985 for Great Lakes Region Political Science students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend University of Illinois at Springfield.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% 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 University of Illinois at Springfield

25
USI crest
University of Southern Indiana
Evansville, Indiana

University of Southern Indiana came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. USI is a public institution located in Evansville, Indiana. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 22 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend USI is $17,626 for great lakes region political science students whose families make $75-$110k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% 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 more about Political Science & Government at University of Southern Indiana

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