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2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k

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 $30-$48k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

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 $30-$48k” ranking looked at 185 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in political science. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent political science programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the political science program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for master’s degree poly sci students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Political Science (Income $30-$48k)

#1

Duke University

Durham, North Carolina
#3 in overall quality

Out of the 185 schools in the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Duke University landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Durham, North Carolina, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 17 diplomas to qualified masters’s poly sci students in 2019-2020.

Duke did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 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 Duke University are $59,140.

Full Duke University Political Science Report

#2

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 $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Harvard University landed the #2 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 also made our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #4. Average graduate tuition and fees at Harvard are $50,654, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Political Science at Harvard University

#3

Yale University

New Haven, Connecticut
#1 in overall quality

Out of the 185 schools in the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Yale University landed the #3 spot on the list. New Haven, Connecticut 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 39 students in 2019-2020.

Yale not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 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 Yale University are $44,500.

Full Yale University Political Science Report

#4

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#9 in overall quality

Out of the 185 schools in the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwestern University landed the #4 spot on the list. Northwestern is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Evanston, Illinois. It awarded 13 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwestern also made our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #9. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern University are $56,567, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Political Science at Northwestern University

#5

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#10 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Stanford University. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Stanford is a fairly large school located in Stanford, California that handed out 11 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

Stanford did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford are $55,011, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Political Science at Stanford

#6

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, Maryland
#2 in overall quality

Johns Hopkins University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #6. This large school is located in Baltimore, Maryland, and it awarded 52 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

Johns Hopkins also made our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #2. Average graduate tuition and fees at Johns Hopkins are $59,425, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science at Johns Hopkins

#7

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
#8 in overall quality

University of Pennsylvania did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. This large school is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 5 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UPenn, the school also landed the #8 spot 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 Pennsylvania are $41,760.

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 ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Saint Louis, Missouri 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 5 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree poly sci students whose families make $30-$48k list, WUSTL has also earned the #13 rank 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.

Read more about Political Science at Washington University in St Louis

#5 in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, Columbia University in the City of New York did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in New York, New York, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 42 degrees to qualified masters’s poly sci students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Columbia, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Columbia are $51,194, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Political Science at Columbia University in the City of New York

#10

Rice University

Houston, Texas
#23 in overall quality

Rice University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Rice University is a medium-sized school located in Houston, Texas that handed out 7 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Rice, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. 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 University

#11

Princeton University

Princeton, New Jersey
#14 in overall quality

Princeton University landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Princeton is a medium-sized school located in Princeton, New Jersey that handed out 21 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

Princeton also made our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #14. Average graduate tuition and fees at Princeton are $56,470, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Political Science at Princeton University

#12

Brown University

Providence, Rhode Island
#17 in overall quality

Brown University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #12. Located in Providence, Rhode Island, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 9 degrees to qualified masters’s poly sci students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Brown, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Brown University are $60,363, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Political Science at Brown University

#13

Cornell University

Ithaca, New York
#12 in overall quality

With a ranking of #13, Cornell University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Ithaca, New York, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 10 diplomas to qualified masters’s poly sci students in 2019-2020.

Cornell did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #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

#14

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee
#16 in overall quality

With a ranking of #14, Vanderbilt University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Nashville, Tennessee, and it awarded 4 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

Vanderbilt not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Vanderbilt University are $50,624, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Vanderbilt University Political Science Report

#15

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#11 in overall quality

University of Chicago came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 9 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

UChicago also made our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #11. 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 University of Chicago

#16

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida
Top 20% in overall quality

University of Florida ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Florida is a large school located in Gainesville, Florida that handed out 14 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on this list, UF is in the top on our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. Average graduate tuition and fees at UF are $30,130, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Political Science at University of Florida

#17

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, Michigan
#25 in overall quality

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 6 masters’s poly sci degrees to qualified students.

U-M also made our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #25. Average graduate tuition and fees at U-M are $49,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Political Science at U-M

#18

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina
#24 in overall quality

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Chapel Hill, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s poly sci degrees to 25 students in 2019-2020.

UNC Chapel Hill also made our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #24. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are $30,248, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Political Science at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

#19

Georgetown University

Washington, District of Columbia
#6 in overall quality

Georgetown University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Washington, District of Columbia, and it awarded 37 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

Georgetown not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 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 Georgetown University are $53,591.

Full Georgetown University Political Science Report

#20

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana
#15 in overall quality

University of Notre Dame ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k 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.

Notre Dame did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Notre Dame are $57,522, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Political Science at Notre Dame

#21

Boston College

Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
Top 15% in overall quality

Boston College ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Boston College is a fairly large school located in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts that handed out 6 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Boston College is also in the top of our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. It’s in the top 15% of all schools in this category. Average graduate tuition and fees at Boston College are $31,930, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science at Boston College

#22

Northeastern University

Boston, Massachusetts
#22 in overall quality

Northeastern University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #22. Boston, 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 9 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northeastern, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northeastern University are $25,558, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Political Science at Northeastern University

Top 25% in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Madison came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Madison, Wisconsin is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s poly sci degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Madison are $25,523.

Read full report on Political Science at University of Wisconsin - Madison

#24

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
Top 20% in overall quality

Purdue University - Main Campus landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Purdue is a large school located in West Lafayette, Indiana that handed out 5 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

Purdue also claimed a top spot on our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools 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 Purdue are $28,794.

Read full report on Political Science at Purdue

#25

Emory University

Atlanta, Georgia
#19 in overall quality

Emory University landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Emory University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Atlanta, Georgia. It awarded 7 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree poly sci students whose families make $30-$48k list, Emory has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Emory University are $44,676, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science at Emory University

Rest of the Best 28 in Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k

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

#27

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#28

University of Virginia - Main Campus

Charlottesville, Virginia

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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