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2022 Best Value Colleges for Political Science (Income $0-$30k) in Illinois

34 Ranked Colleges
1,532 Degrees Awarded
$13,500 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking.

In 2019-2020, 46,740 people earned their degree in political science, making the major the 14th most popular in the United States.

Across Illinois, there were 1,532 political science graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 34 colleges that offer a degree in political science. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great political science programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the political science program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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. 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 Poly Sci Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Political Science (Income $0-$30k) in Illinois

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois

Out of the 34 schools in the Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwestern University landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Evanston, Illinois, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 149 degrees to qualified ’s poly sci students in 2019-2020.

Northwestern did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Political Science Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Northwestern is $1,866 for Illinois Poly Sci students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. 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%.

Full Northwestern University Political Science Report

#2

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Chicago. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k. This fairly large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 126 ’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

UChicago not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Political Science Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for UChicago is $2,712 for illinois poly sci students whose families make $0-$30k.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 100%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full University of Chicago Political Science Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is located in Champaign, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 268 ’s poly sci degrees to qualified students.

UIUC also took the #3 spot in our “Best Political Science Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is $5,477 for Illinois Poly Sci students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. 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 at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Out of the 34 schools in the Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #4 spot on the list. Edwardsville, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s poly sci degrees to 30 students in 2019-2020.

SIUE also took the #19 spot in our “Best Political Science Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SIUE is $8,055 for illinois poly sci students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full SIUE Political Science Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Illinois at Chicago. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k. University of Illinois at Chicago is a large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 78 ’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois poly sci students whose families make $0-$30k list, UIC has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Political Science Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UIC is $10,648 for illinois poly sci students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 3.4% 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 at University of Illinois at Chicago

#6

Saint Xavier University

Chicago, Illinois

Saint Xavier University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s poly sci degrees to 13 students in 2019-2020.

SXU also took the #17 spot in our “Best Political Science Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Saint Xavier University is $11,266 for Illinois Poly Sci students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Political Science at SXU

#7

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois

Northern Illinois University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Dekalb, Illinois, this fairly large public school handed out 91 degrees to qualified ’s poly sci students in 2019-2020.

NIU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Political Science Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Northern Illinois University is $15,281 for Illinois Poly Sci students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Political Science at Northern Illinois University

University of Illinois at Springfield came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UIS is located in Springfield, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 41 ’s poly sci degrees to qualified students.

UIS not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Political Science Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $9,771 for illinois poly sci students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Illinois at Springfield.

Full UIS Political Science Report

#9

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois

Illinois State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. This large school is located in Normal, Illinois, and it awarded 96 ’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois poly sci students whose families make $0-$30k list, Illinois State has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Political Science Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Illinois State University is $14,470 for illinois poly sci students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Illinois State Political Science Report

#10

Wheaton College Illinois

Wheaton, Illinois

Wheaton College Illinois came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in Wheaton, Illinois, and it awarded 17 ’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

Wheaton College Illinois did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Political Science Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $18,440 for Illinois Poly Sci students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Wheaton College Illinois.

The low student loan default rate of 0.7% 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 freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. 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.

Read full report on Political Science at Wheaton College Illinois

#11

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois

Eastern Illinois University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Eastern Illinois University is located in Charleston, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 40 ’s poly sci degrees to qualified students.

EIU also took the #20 spot in our “Best Political Science Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend EIU is $12,350 for illinois poly sci students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Eastern Illinois University Political Science Report

Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. SIUC is a fairly large school located in Carbondale, Illinois that handed out 32 ’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

SIUC also took the #22 spot in our “Best Political Science Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SIUC is $13,658 for Illinois Poly Sci students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full SIUC Political Science Report

#13

Illinois College

Jacksonville, Illinois

Illinois College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Illinois College is a small school located in Jacksonville, Illinois that handed out 7 ’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

Illinois College also took the #23 spot in our “Best Political Science Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $11,376 for illinois poly sci students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Illinois College.

Full Illinois College Political Science Report

#14

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois

With a ranking of #14, Western Illinois University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Western Illinois University is a public institution located in Macomb, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 26 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

WIU also made our “Best Political Science Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #25. It costs about $13,942 for Illinois Poly Sci students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Western Illinois University.

Read more about Political Science at Western Illinois University

#15

Lake Forest College

Lake Forest, Illinois

Lake Forest College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Lake Forest, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s poly sci degrees to 17 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Lake Forest, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Political Science Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Lake Forest College is $18,192 for Illinois Poly Sci students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 2.5% 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 full report on Political Science at Lake Forest College

#16

University of St Francis

Joliet, Illinois

University of St Francis came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Joliet, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 7 degrees to qualified ’s poly sci students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois poly sci students whose families make $0-$30k list, University of Saint Francis has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Political Science Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Saint Francis is $15,847 for illinois poly sci students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of St Francis Political Science Report

#17

Elmhurst University

Elmhurst, Illinois

Elmhurst University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #17. Located in Elmhurst, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 14 degrees to qualified ’s poly sci students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Elmhurst, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Political Science Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Elmhurst is $16,903 for illinois poly sci students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 3.0% 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 full report on Political Science at Elmhurst

#18

Augustana College

Rock Island, Illinois

Augustana College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Augustana is located in Rock Island, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 29 ’s poly sci degrees to qualified students.

Augustana also made our “Best Political Science Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #7. The estimated yearly cost for Augustana College is $20,355 for illinois poly sci students whose families make $0-$30k.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Political Science at Augustana

#19

Bradley University

Peoria, Illinois

Bradley University landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Peoria, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s poly sci degrees to 20 students in 2019-2020.

Bradley also made our “Best Political Science Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #10. The yearly cost to attend Bradley is $17,205 for illinois poly sci students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 2.5% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Political Science at Bradley

#20

Illinois Wesleyan University

Bloomington, Illinois

Illinois Wesleyan University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #20. Illinois Wesleyan is located in Bloomington, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 ’s poly sci degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Illinois Wesleyan, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Political Science Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Illinois Wesleyan University is $18,570 for illinois poly sci students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Political Science at Illinois Wesleyan University

#21

Knox College

Galesburg, Illinois

Knox College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Knox College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Galesburg, Illinois. It awarded 11 ’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

Knox also took the #18 spot in our “Best Political Science Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Knox is $16,828 for Illinois Poly Sci students whose families make $0-$30k.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 10 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 4.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Knox Political Science Report

Northeastern Illinois University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #22. Northeastern Illinois University is a medium-sized school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 25 ’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $14,816 for Illinois Poly Sci students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Northeastern Illinois University.

Read more about Political Science at Northeastern Illinois University

#23

McKendree University

Lebanon, Illinois

McKendree University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. McKendree University is a small school located in Lebanon, Illinois that handed out 7 ’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $15,184 for Illinois Poly Sci students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend McKendree.

Read more about Political Science at McKendree

#24

Millikin University

Decatur, Illinois

Millikin University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Decatur, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s poly sci degrees to 3 students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Millikin University is $17,656 for illinois poly sci students whose families make $0-$30k.

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.

Read full report on Political Science at Millikin

#25

Dominican University

River Forest, Illinois

Dominican University landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Dominican U is a small school located in River Forest, Illinois that handed out 8 ’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

Dominican U not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Political Science Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $17,060 for Illinois Poly Sci students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Dominican University.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full Dominican U Political Science Report

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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