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2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid

113 Ranked Colleges
696 Degrees Awarded
$35,000 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

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 doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 696 political science and government graduates with average earnings and debt of $72,680 and $116,043 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid” ranking analyzed 113 colleges that offered 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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 Doctorate For Those Getting Aid” 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. 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 for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid.

Top 25 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Political Science & Government (With Aid)

#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 Doctorate For Those Getting Aid. Yale University is a private not-for-profit institution located in New Haven, Connecticut. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 21 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Yale not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’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 more about Political Science & Government at Yale

#2

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a large school located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina that handed out 8 doctorate’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UNC Chapel Hill are $30,248, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at UNC Chapel Hill

#3

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts

Out of the 113 schools in the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Harvard University landed the #3 spot on the list. Harvard University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The school has a large population, and it awarded 16 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree political science students with aid list, Harvard has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’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

#4

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Florida. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Gainesville, Florida, this large public school handed out 8 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s political science students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Florida are $30,130, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Political Science & Government at University of Florida

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid list. UW - Madison is a large school located in Madison, Wisconsin that handed out 8 doctorate’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

UW - Madison also made our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #16. 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 UW - Madison

University of Washington - Seattle Campus came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Washington - Seattle Campus is a public institution located in Seattle, Washington. The school has a large population, and it awarded 7 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UW Seattle are $30,294, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at UW Seattle

#7

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#4 in overall quality

Stanford University landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid ranking. Stanford University is a fairly large school located in Stanford, California that handed out 18 doctorate’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree political science students with aid list, Stanford has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford University are $55,011, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Stanford University

#8

Princeton University

Princeton, New Jersey
#10 in overall quality

Princeton University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #8. Princeton University is a medium-sized school located in Princeton, New Jersey that handed out 26 doctorate’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree political science students with aid list, Princeton has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Princeton University are $56,470.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Princeton

#13 in overall quality

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid ranking. This large school is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and it awarded 14 doctorate’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree political science students with aid list, U-M has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at U-M are $49,548, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full U-M Political Science & Government Report

#10

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#24 in overall quality

Indiana University - Bloomington did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #10. IU Bloomington is a large public school situated in Bloomington, Indiana. It awarded 19 doctorate’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

IU Bloomington not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at IU Bloomington are $33,338, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Indiana University - Bloomington

The University of Texas at Dallas did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #11. UT Dallas is a public institution located in Richardson, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 7 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas at Dallas are $28,610, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Political Science & Government at The University of Texas at Dallas

#12

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana

Purdue University - Main Campus ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid list. Purdue University - Main Campus is a large school located in West Lafayette, Indiana that handed out 5 doctorate’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue are $28,794, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid ranking. UIUC is located in Champaign, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 5 doctorate’s political science degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UIUC are $30,083, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

#6 in overall quality

Columbia University in the City of New York did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #14. New York, New York is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s political science degrees to 16 students in 2019-2020.

Columbia not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. 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

Top 25% in overall quality

University of California - San Diego ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid list. UCSD is a large public school situated in La Jolla, California. It awarded 5 doctorate’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - San Diego are $28,631, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of California - San Diego Political Science & Government Report

#16

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
#3 in overall quality

University of Pennsylvania came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 10 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s political science students in 2019-2020.

UPenn not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Pennsylvania are $41,760, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Pennsylvania Political Science & Government Report

#17

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California

University of California - Los Angeles came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid ranking. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 13 doctorate’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

UCLA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Los Angeles are $28,131, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of California - Los Angeles Political Science & Government Report

The University of Texas at Austin did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #18. UT Austin is a public institution located in Austin, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 13 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UT Austin are $22,886, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UT Austin Political Science & Government Report

With a ranking of #19, University of California - Irvine did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid list. Irvine, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s political science degrees to 6 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Irvine are $28,456, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UC Irvine Political Science & Government Report

#20

University of California - Riverside

Riverside, California

University of California - Riverside came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid ranking. UCR is located in Riverside, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 doctorate’s political science degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UCR are $28,686, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of California - Riverside Political Science & Government Report

#21

University of Virginia - Main Campus

Charlottesville, Virginia
Top 25% in overall quality

University of Virginia - Main Campus landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid ranking. Charlottesville, Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s political science degrees to 4 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Virginia - Main Campus are $32,394, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Virginia Political Science & Government Report

#22

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid list. Located in East Lansing, Michigan, this large public school handed out 8 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s political science students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Michigan State University are $37,056, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Michigan State Political Science & Government Report

Florida International University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid ranking. Florida International University is a large public school situated in Miami, Florida. It awarded 2 doctorate’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 FIU are $24,211.

Full Florida International University Political Science & Government Report

With a ranking of #24, University of California - Davis did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Davis, California, this large public school handed out 11 degrees to qualified doctorate’s political science students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UC Davis are $28,700.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at University of California - Davis

University of Nevada - Las Vegas came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Getting Aid ranking. Las Vegas, Nevada is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s political science degrees to 9 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Nevada - Las Vegas are $21,962, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Political Science & Government at University of Nevada - Las Vegas

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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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