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2022 Best Value Colleges for Political Science & Government in Illinois (With Aid)

34 Ranked Colleges
1,532 Degrees Awarded
$18,500 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. 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 in Illinois For Those Getting Aid” ranking is part of that endeavor.

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 Illinois, there were 1,532 political science and government graduates with average earnings and debt of $32,277 and $22,016 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid” ranking analyzed 34 colleges that offered a degree 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.

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.

One Size Does Not Fit All

The political science school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid”.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest 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 in Illinois For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Political Science & Government in Illinois (With Aid)

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid. Champaign, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s political science degrees to 268 students in 2019-2020.

UIUC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $15,880 for Illinois Political Science students with aid per year to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Chicago. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this large public school awarded 78 diplomas to qualified ’s political science students in 2019-2020.

UIC also took the #12 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UIC is $13,312 for Illinois Political Science students with aid.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at UIC

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Illinois at Springfield. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid. This small school is located in Springfield, Illinois, and it awarded 41 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

UIS also took the #16 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Illinois at Springfield is $12,477 for illinois political science students with aid.

Read more about Political Science & Government at University of Illinois at Springfield

#4

Saint Xavier University

Chicago, Illinois

Out of the 34 schools in the Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Saint Xavier University landed the #4 spot on the list. Saint Xavier University is a small school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 13 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

SXU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for SXU is $14,528 for Illinois Political Science students with aid.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Saint Xavier University

#5

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois

Out of the 34 schools in the Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Northern Illinois University landed the #5 spot on the list. NIU is a public institution located in Dekalb, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 91 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

NIU also took the #14 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $18,259 for Illinois Political Science students with aid per year to attend NIU.

Full Northern Illinois University Political Science & Government Report

#6

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois

Eastern Illinois University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. EIU is a public institution located in Charleston, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 40 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois political science students with aid list, EIU has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $14,607 for Illinois Political Science students with aid per year to attend EIU.

Full Eastern Illinois University Political Science & Government Report

With a ranking of #7, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a fairly large school located in Edwardsville, Illinois that handed out 30 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois political science students with aid list, SIUE has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is $14,423 for Illinois Political Science students with aid.

Full SIUE Political Science & Government Report

#8

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois

Northwestern University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Evanston, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 149 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwestern did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Northwestern is $24,664 for Illinois Political Science students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The impressive 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 school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 0.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Northwestern

#9

Chicago State University

Chicago, Illinois

With a ranking of #9, Chicago State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Chicago State University is a small public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 5 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Chicago State University is $11,733 for Illinois Political Science students with aid.

The student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Chicago State University Political Science & Government Report

Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Carbondale, Illinois, this fairly large public school awarded 32 degrees to qualified ’s political science students in 2019-2020.

SIUC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Southern Illinois University Carbondale is $16,945 for Illinois Political Science students with aid.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Southern Illinois University Carbondale

#11

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois

Western Illinois University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #11. Macomb, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s political science degrees to 26 students in 2019-2020.

WIU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Western Illinois University is $16,210 for illinois political science students with aid.

Full WIU Political Science & Government Report

With a ranking of #12, Northeastern Illinois University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s political science degrees to 25 students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Northeastern Illinois University is $15,843 for illinois political science students with aid.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Northeastern Illinois University

#13

University of St Francis

Joliet, Illinois

University of St Francis did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #13. Located in Joliet, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 7 diplomas to qualified ’s political science students in 2019-2020.

University of Saint Francis also made our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #21. The estimated yearly cost for University of St Francis is $17,538 for Illinois Political Science students with aid.

The low student loan default rate of 3.3% 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 St Francis

#14

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois

Illinois State University landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. This large school is located in Normal, Illinois, and it awarded 96 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Illinois State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Illinois State University is $20,895 for Illinois Political Science students with aid.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Illinois State

#15

Illinois College

Jacksonville, Illinois

Illinois College landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. Illinois College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Jacksonville, Illinois. It awarded 7 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Illinois College also took the #23 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Illinois College is $16,562 for illinois political science students with aid.

Full Illinois College Political Science & Government Report

#16

Dominican University

River Forest, Illinois

Dominican University landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in River Forest, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 8 diplomas to qualified ’s political science students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Dominican U, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Dominican U is $19,268 for Illinois Political Science students with aid.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Dominican University

#17

Elmhurst University

Elmhurst, Illinois

Elmhurst University landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. Elmhurst, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s political science degrees to 14 students in 2019-2020.

Elmhurst also made our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #15. The estimated yearly cost for Elmhurst University is $21,485 for illinois political science students with aid.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Elmhurst University

#18

Augustana College

Rock Island, Illinois

Augustana College landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. Rock Island, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s political science degrees to 29 students in 2019-2020.

Augustana also made our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #7. It costs about $23,874 for Illinois Political Science students with aid per year to attend Augustana.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Augustana College

#19

Wheaton College Illinois

Wheaton, Illinois

Wheaton College Illinois did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #19. Wheaton, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s political science degrees to 17 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Wheaton College Illinois, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $25,358 for illinois political science students with aid per year to attend Wheaton College Illinois.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Wheaton College Illinois

#20

Concordia University, Chicago

River Forest, Illinois

With a ranking of #20, Concordia University, Chicago did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Concordia University, Chicago is a medium-sized school located in River Forest, Illinois that handed out 4 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Concordia University, Chicago is $16,512 for Illinois Political Science students with aid.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Concordia University, Chicago

#21

Olivet Nazarene University

Bourbonnais, Illinois

Olivet Nazarene University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Olivet Nazarene University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Bourbonnais, Illinois. It awarded 12 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Olivet Nazarene is $20,195 for Illinois Political Science students with aid.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Olivet Nazarene

#22

Millikin University

Decatur, Illinois

Millikin University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Decatur, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 3 degrees to qualified ’s political science students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Millikin is $21,331 for illinois political science students with aid.

The student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Millikin University

#23

McKendree University

Lebanon, Illinois

McKendree University landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Lebanon, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 7 degrees to qualified ’s political science students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $19,844 for illinois political science students with aid per year to attend McKendree.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at McKendree University

#24

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

University of Chicago landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 126 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois political science students with aid list, UChicago has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UChicago is $27,315 for Illinois Political Science students with aid.

The low 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%. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 100%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full University of Chicago Political Science & Government Report

#25

Knox College

Galesburg, Illinois

Knox College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #25. Located in Galesburg, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 11 degrees to qualified ’s political science students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois political science students with aid list, Knox has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $22,292 for Illinois Political Science students with aid per year to attend Knox.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full Knox College Political Science & Government Report

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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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