2027 Best Value Other Political Science & Government Schools in the Great Lakes Region

[Other Political Science & Government](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/political-science-and-government-other/) 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.
College Factual analyzed 10 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value other political science & government schools.
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2027 Best Value Other Political Science & Government Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in other political science & government, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Other Political Science & Government Schools
For return on investment in other political science & government, no school beat Purdue University Main Campus this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the other political science & government program here. Early-career other political science & government graduates make about $63,111. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Wisconsin Madison one of the best values for other political science & government. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete the other political science & government program here. Other Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $42,063 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Akron Main Campus earned it the #3 place for other political science & government. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,135, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for other political science & government graduates is $25,983. Other Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $26,574 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,983 median debt. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Western Michigan University one of the best values for other political science & government. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,987, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Other Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $26,564 in student loans. Other Political Science & Government graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $38,744 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,564 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ripon College earned it the #5 place for other political science & government. Ripon College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Ripon. In-state tuition and fees average $51,900. Other Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $26,973 in student loans. Early-career other political science & government graduates make about $35,385. That is a strong return on a $26,973 median debt. Ripon College admits about 80% of applicants.
Ohio University Main Campus came in at #6 for value in other political science & government this year. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,158, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Other Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $24,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other political science & government degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $38,753. That is a strong return on a $24,625 median debt. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Ashland University came in at #7 for value in other political science & government this year. Ashland University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Ashland. In-state tuition and fees average $31,210. Students borrow a median of $26,738 to complete the other political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, other political science & government degree recipients from Ashland University generally make around $44,455. That is a strong return on a $26,738 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Capital University landed the #8 spot for other political science & government value this year. Capital University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Columbus. Students from in state pay about $43,234 in tuition and fees. Other Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $26,218 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other political science & government degree recipients from Capital University generally make around $39,807. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earned the #9 position for value in other political science & government this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,363 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Other Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other political science & government degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $37,360. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Xavier University landed the #10 spot for other political science & government value this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, Xavier University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $49,425 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for other political science & government graduates is $26,000. Early-career other political science & government graduates make about $41,710. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.