2026 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Political Science & Government](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 181 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for political science & government students.
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Featured Political Science & Government Programs
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BA in Political Science
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2026 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the political science & government degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Political Science & Government Schools
Our analysis ranked Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis the best value for a degree in political science & government in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $18,500. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $36,535. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Purdue University Main Campus one of the best values for political science & government. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $20,000. Political Science & Government graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $39,708 early in their careers. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Indiana came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,066 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,907 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $21,999. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Southern Indiana earn a median of $47,216 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,999 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Michigan Ann Arbor one of the best values for political science & government. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $18,862 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $39,702. Set against $18,862 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Students looking for strong value in political science & government will find it at University Of Illinois At Chicago, which ranked #5. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Students borrow a median of $21,761 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $38,363. That is a strong return on a $21,761 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,532 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,887 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,119 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne generally make around $49,424. Set against $24,119 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Springfield came in at #7 for value in political science & government this year. Set in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,557 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,139. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $25,848 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Springfield generally make around $52,565. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Michigan Dearborn ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,640, with out-of-state students paying around $32,896. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $23,175 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $32,266 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,175 median debt. University Of Michigan Dearborn admits about 56% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #9 spot for political science & government value this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Students borrow a median of $20,025 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $35,172 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,025 median debt. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Northern Illinois University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $32,225. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Indiana University Bloomington landed the #11 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $17,951. Political Science & Government graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $32,568 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,951 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Western Illinois University placed #12 among the best values for political science & government. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,572. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $32,359. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.
Indiana State University came in at #13 for value in political science & government this year. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,258, compared with $22,322 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,987 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $33,352. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Augustana College Illinois landed the #14 spot for political science & government value this year. Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rock Island. Students from in state pay about $51,598 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $35,626. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Youngstown State University came in at #15 for value in political science & government this year. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,926, compared with $10,286 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $28,148. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,228 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,248 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $21,313. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earn a median of $41,455 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Illinois University came in at #17 for value in political science & government this year. Set in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,377 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,859 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $24,739. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $28,721. Set against $24,739 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville placed #18 among the best values for political science & government. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,092. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $24,250. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville generally make around $31,786. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville admits about 98% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh landed the #19 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,532, while out-of-state students pay about $16,446. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $25,015 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earn a median of $42,366 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,015 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Oakland University placed #20 among the best values for political science & government. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,167, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Students borrow a median of $23,054 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $29,080. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #21 for value in political science & government this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $22,000. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $42,063. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Flint came in at #22 for value in political science & government this year. Set in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,236, compared with $27,790 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,016 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Michigan Flint generally make around $51,692. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Flint admits about 70% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse landed the #23 spot for political science & government value this year. Set in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,070, while out-of-state students pay about $19,517. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse generally make around $35,281. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Wayne State University earned the #24 position for value in political science & government this year. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. In-state tuition and fees average $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $23,812 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $30,345 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Ball State University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,082, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Students borrow a median of $25,410 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $39,755. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s political science & government value ranking:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 181 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 84 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
