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2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k

188 Ranked Colleges
1,850 Degrees Awarded
$40,400 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master's For Those Making $75-$110k

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 Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking.

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.

For this year’s “Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking, we looked at 188 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.

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.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

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. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Political Science & Government (Income $75-$110k)

#1

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 #1 for the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k. Yale University is located in New Haven, Connecticut and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 39 masters’s political science degrees to qualified students.

Yale did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Yale University are $44,500, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Yale University

#2

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 $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, Stanford University landed the #2 spot on the list. Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Stanford, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 11 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Stanford did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford are $55,011, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Stanford

#3

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#9 in overall quality

Out of the 188 schools in the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwestern University landed the #3 spot on the list. Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Evanston, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 13 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwestern not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern University are $56,567, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Northwestern

#4

Duke University

Durham, North Carolina
#3 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Duke University. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k list. Durham, North Carolina 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 25 students in 2019-2020.

Duke not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Duke are $59,140, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Duke University Political Science & Government Report

#5

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, Maryland

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Johns Hopkins University. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k list. Johns Hopkins is a large school located in Baltimore, Maryland that handed out 89 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Johns Hopkins did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Johns Hopkins University are $59,425, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Johns Hopkins Political Science & Government Report

#5 in overall quality

Columbia University in the City of New York landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Located in New York, New York, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 42 diplomas to qualified masters’s political science students 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

#7

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts
#4 in overall quality

Harvard University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #7. Harvard University is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Cambridge, Massachusetts. 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 are $50,654, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Harvard

#8

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee
#16 in overall quality

Vanderbilt University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k list. Vanderbilt is a fairly large school located in Nashville, Tennessee that handed out 4 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Vanderbilt not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Vanderbilt University are $50,624, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Vanderbilt Political Science & Government Report

#9

Princeton University

Princeton, New Jersey
#14 in overall quality

Princeton University landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Located in Princeton, New Jersey, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 21 diplomas to qualified masters’s political science students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree political science students whose families make $75-$110k list, Princeton has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Princeton are $56,470, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Princeton

#10

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida

University of Florida landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. UF 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 ranked in the top 20% of all schools 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 Florida are $30,130.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at UF

#11

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana
#15 in overall quality

University of Notre Dame ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k list. Notre Dame is a fairly large school located in Notre Dame, Indiana that handed out 8 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Notre Dame did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Notre Dame are $57,522, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Notre Dame

#12

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, Michigan
#25 in overall quality

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k list. U-M is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 6 masters’s political science degrees to qualified students.

U-M not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools” 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

#13

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
#8 in overall quality

University of Pennsylvania ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k list. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s political science degrees to 5 students 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 some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science & Government at UPenn

#14

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#11 in overall quality

University of Chicago landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Chicago, Illinois 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 9 students 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. Average graduate tuition and fees at UChicago are $61,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UChicago Political Science & Government Report

#15

Cornell University

Ithaca, New York
#12 in overall quality

Cornell University landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. This large school is located in Ithaca, New York, and it awarded 10 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Cornell also took the #12 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cornell University are $30,042, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Cornell University Political Science & Government Report

#16

American Public University System

Charles Town, West Virginia

With a ranking of #16, American Public University System did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k list. This large school is located in Charles Town, West Virginia, and it awarded 31 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at American Military University are $7,050, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science & Government at American Public University System

#17

Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida

With a ranking of #17, Florida State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k list. Florida State University is located in Tallahassee, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 24 masters’s political science degrees to qualified students.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Florida State are $26,707.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Florida State

#18

Rice University

Houston, Texas
#23 in overall quality

Rice University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Houston, Texas, and it awarded 7 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Rice also made our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #23. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Rice University are $47,913.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Rice University

#19

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina
#24 in overall quality

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #19. This large school is located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and it awarded 25 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

UNC Chapel Hill not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are $30,248, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science & Government at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

With a ranking of #20, California State University - Los Angeles did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k list. Cal State LA is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 10 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Los Angeles are $17,723.

Read more about Political Science & Government at California State University - Los Angeles

#21

Brooklyn College

Brooklyn, New York

Brooklyn College ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in Brooklyn, New York, this fairly large public school awarded 9 diplomas to qualified masters’s political science students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Brooklyn College are $20,952, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Brooklyn College

#22

The University of West Florida

Pensacola, Florida

The University of West Florida came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Pensacola, Florida is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s political science degrees to 8 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of West Florida are $24,894, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Political Science & Government at The University of West Florida

#23

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
Top 20% in overall quality

With a ranking of #23, Purdue University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k list. Purdue University - Main Campus is located in West Lafayette, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 5 masters’s political science degrees to qualified students.

On top of its placing in this ranking, Purdue also did well on our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue are $28,794, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Purdue University - Main Campus

Top 20% in overall quality

University of Washington - Seattle Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #24. UW Seattle is a public institution located in Seattle, Washington. The school has a large population, and it awarded 4 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UW Seattle also claimed a top spot on our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Washington - Seattle Campus are $30,294, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at UW Seattle

#25

Augusta University

Augusta, Georgia

Augusta University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k list. This medium-sized school is located in Augusta, Georgia, and it awarded 7 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Augusta University are $20,712, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Augusta University

Rest of the Best 29 in Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $75-$110k

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

#26

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#28

Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri

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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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