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2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k

185 Ranked Colleges
1,601 Degrees Awarded
$46,400 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master's 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 for a Master’s 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.

At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 1,601 political science graduates with average earnings and debt of $56,398 and $43,194 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 185 colleges that offered 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.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the political science program at the school. 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 for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for master’s degree poly sci students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Political Science (Income $0-$30k)

#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 Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k. Yale University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in New Haven, Connecticut. It awarded 39 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

Yale also took the #1 spot in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. 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 at Yale University

#2

Duke University

Durham, North Carolina
#3 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Duke University. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Duke University is located in Durham, North Carolina and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 17 masters’s poly sci degrees to qualified students.

Duke also took the #3 spot in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Duke are $59,140, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Political Science at Duke University

#3

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, Maryland
#2 in overall quality

Out of the 185 schools in the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Johns Hopkins University landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Baltimore, Maryland, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 52 diplomas to qualified masters’s poly sci students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Johns Hopkins, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Johns Hopkins University are $59,425, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Political Science at Johns Hopkins University

#4

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts
#4 in overall quality

Out of the 185 schools in the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Harvard University landed the #4 spot on the list. Cambridge, Massachusetts is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s poly sci degrees to 36 students in 2019-2020.

Harvard did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Harvard are $50,654.

Read more about Political Science at Harvard

#5

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#9 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northwestern University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Evanston, Illinois, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 13 degrees to qualified masters’s poly sci students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree poly sci students whose families make $0-$30k list, Northwestern has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern University are $56,567.

Read more about Political Science at Northwestern

#6

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#10 in overall quality

Stanford University landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Stanford is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Stanford, California. It awarded 11 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

Stanford not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford are $55,011.

Full Stanford University Political Science Report

#7

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
#8 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, University of Pennsylvania did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 5 degrees to qualified masters’s poly sci students in 2019-2020.

UPenn also took the #8 spot in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Pennsylvania are $41,760, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Political Science at University of Pennsylvania

#8

Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri
#13 in overall quality

Washington University in St Louis did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. This fairly large school is located in Saint Louis, Missouri, and it awarded 5 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

WUSTL also took the #13 spot in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Washington University in St Louis are $56,562, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full WUSTL Political Science Report

#9

Princeton University

Princeton, New Jersey
#14 in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, Princeton University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Princeton, New Jersey is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s poly sci degrees to 21 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree poly sci students whose families make $0-$30k list, Princeton has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Princeton are $56,470.

Read full report on Political Science at Princeton University

#10

Georgetown University

Washington, District of Columbia
#6 in overall quality

Georgetown University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Washington, District of Columbia. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 37 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Georgetown, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Georgetown are $53,591, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Political Science at Georgetown University

#11

Brown University

Providence, Rhode Island
#17 in overall quality

Brown University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Providence, Rhode Island, and it awarded 9 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

Brown not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Brown University are $60,363, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Brown University Political Science Report

#12

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#11 in overall quality

University of Chicago came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 9 diplomas to qualified masters’s poly sci students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree poly sci students whose families make $0-$30k list, UChicago has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Chicago are $61,548.

Read full report on Political Science at UChicago

#13

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee
#16 in overall quality

Vanderbilt University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 4 diplomas to qualified masters’s poly sci students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree poly sci students whose families make $0-$30k list, Vanderbilt has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Vanderbilt are $50,624, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Political Science at Vanderbilt

#14

Cornell University

Ithaca, New York
#12 in overall quality

With a ranking of #14, Cornell University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Cornell is a large school located in Ithaca, New York that handed out 10 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

Cornell not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cornell are $30,042, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Cornell Political Science Report

#15

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, Michigan
#25 in overall quality

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is a public institution located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 6 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree poly sci students whose families make $0-$30k list, U-M has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best Political Science Master’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.

Read more about Political Science at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

#16

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida
Top 20% in overall quality

University of Florida did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. UF is a public institution located in Gainesville, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 14 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UF excels when it comes to poly sci quality. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UF are $30,130.

Full University of Florida Political Science Report

#17

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina
#24 in overall quality

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UNC Chapel Hill is a large school located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina that handed out 25 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

UNC Chapel Hill did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools” list. 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 at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

#18

Rice University

Houston, Texas
#23 in overall quality

Rice University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. Rice is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Houston, Texas. It awarded 7 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

Rice also made our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #23. Average graduate tuition and fees at Rice University are $47,913, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Political Science at Rice

#5 in overall quality

Columbia University in the City of New York ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Columbia University in the City of New York is a large school located in New York, New York that handed out 42 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

Columbia also made our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #5. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Columbia University in the City of New York are $51,194.

Read more about Political Science at Columbia University in the City of New York

Top 25% in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Madison, Wisconsin, and it awarded 1 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Madison are $25,523, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Political Science at UW - Madison

#21

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana
#15 in overall quality

University of Notre Dame ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Notre Dame is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Notre Dame, Indiana. It awarded 8 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Notre Dame, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Notre Dame are $57,522, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Political Science at University of Notre Dame

Top 25% in overall quality

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Champaign, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s poly sci degrees to 4 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UIUC are $30,083, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UIUC Political Science Report

Top 25% in overall quality

University of Washington - Seattle Campus came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UW Seattle is a public institution located in Seattle, Washington. The school has a large population, and it awarded 4 masters’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.

Full UW Seattle Political Science Report

#24

Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida
Top 25% in overall quality

Florida State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #24. Florida State University is a large public school situated in Tallahassee, Florida. It awarded 24 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Florida State University are $26,707.

Read full report on Political Science at Florida State

#25

Emory University

Atlanta, Georgia
#19 in overall quality

Emory University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Atlanta, Georgia is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s poly sci degrees to 7 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree poly sci students whose families make $0-$30k list, Emory has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Emory University are $44,676.

Read more about Political Science at Emory

Rest of the Best 28 in Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $0-$30k

Not only did these schools make the top 28 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

#26

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
#27

University of Maryland - College Park

College Park, Maryland
#28

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California

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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