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2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k

185 Ranked Colleges
1,601 Degrees Awarded
$45,900 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master's For Those Making $48-$75k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

Political Science is the 14th most popular major in the country with 46,740 degrees awarded in 2019-2020.

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 $48-$75k” 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.

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 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 $48-$75k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to 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 for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k

The colleges and universities below are the best for master’s degree poly sci students whose families make $48-$75k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Political Science (Income $48-$75k)

#1

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 $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Yale University landed the #1 spot on the list. Yale 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.

In addition to being on our master’s degree poly sci students whose families make $48-$75k list, Yale has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Yale are $44,500, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Yale University Political Science Report

#2

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts
#4 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Harvard University. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 36 diplomas to qualified masters’s poly sci 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. Average graduate tuition and fees at Harvard University are $50,654, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Harvard University Political Science Report

#3

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 $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Duke University landed the #3 spot on the list. Duke 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.

In addition to being on our master’s degree poly sci students whose families make $48-$75k list, Duke has also earned the #3 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 Duke are $59,140.

Read full report on Political Science at Duke University

#4

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 $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Johns Hopkins University landed the #4 spot on the list. Baltimore, Maryland is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s poly sci degrees to 52 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree poly sci students whose families make $48-$75k list, Johns Hopkins has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. 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 University

#5

Princeton University

Princeton, New Jersey
#14 in overall quality

Out of the 185 schools in the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Princeton University landed the #5 spot on the 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.

Princeton not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Princeton University are $56,470, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Princeton University Political Science Report

#6

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#9 in overall quality

Northwestern University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #6. Northwestern is a large school located in Evanston, Illinois that handed out 13 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwestern did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern are $56,567, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Northwestern Political Science Report

#7

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#10 in overall quality

Stanford University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Stanford University is a fairly large school located in Stanford, California that handed out 11 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

Stanford also made our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #10. Average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford University are $55,011, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Stanford Political Science Report

#5 in overall quality

Columbia University in the City of New York landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This large school is located in New York, New York, and it awarded 42 masters’s poly sci degrees 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 some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#9

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee
#16 in overall quality

Vanderbilt University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Vanderbilt is a private not-for-profit institution located in Nashville, Tennessee. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 4 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Vanderbilt also took the #16 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 Vanderbilt University are $50,624.

Read full report on Political Science at Vanderbilt University

#10

Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri
#13 in overall quality

With a ranking of #10, Washington University in St Louis did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k list. Washington University in St Louis is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Louis, Missouri. It awarded 5 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree poly sci students whose families make $48-$75k list, WUSTL has also earned the #13 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 Washington University in St Louis are $56,562.

Read full report on Political Science at WUSTL

#11

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#11 in overall quality

University of Chicago came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of Chicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 9 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

UChicago not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Chicago are $61,548, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Political Science at University of Chicago

#12

Rice University

Houston, Texas
#23 in overall quality

Rice University landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. 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 are $47,913, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Political Science at Rice

#13

Cornell University

Ithaca, New York
#12 in overall quality

Cornell University landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. 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 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.

Read full report on Political Science at Cornell University

#14

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
#8 in overall quality

University of Pennsylvania ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k list. UPenn is a private not-for-profit institution located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The school has a large population, and it awarded 5 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree poly sci students whose families make $48-$75k list, UPenn has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Pennsylvania are $41,760, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science at University of Pennsylvania

#15

Georgetown University

Washington, District of Columbia
#6 in overall quality

Georgetown University landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Washington, District of Columbia 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 37 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree poly sci students whose families make $48-$75k list, Georgetown has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Georgetown are $53,591, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science at Georgetown University

#16

Brown University

Providence, Rhode Island
#17 in overall quality

Brown University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Brown is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Providence, Rhode Island. It awarded 9 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

Brown also took the #17 spot in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Brown are $60,363, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Brown Political Science Report

#17

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, Michigan
#25 in overall quality

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. U-M is a large school located in Ann Arbor, Michigan that handed out 6 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

U-M also took the #25 spot in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor are $49,548, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Political Science Report

#18

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana
#15 in overall quality

University of Notre Dame did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #18. Located in Notre Dame, Indiana, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 8 diplomas to qualified masters’s poly sci students 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. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Notre Dame are $57,522.

Read more about Political Science at Notre Dame

#19

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 $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #19. Located in Gainesville, Florida, this large public school handed out 14 degrees to qualified masters’s poly sci students in 2019-2020.

UF excels when it comes to poly sci quality. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category. Average graduate tuition and fees at UF are $30,130, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Political Science at University of Florida

#20

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
Top 20% in overall quality

Purdue University - Main Campus ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k list. Purdue is a large public school situated in West Lafayette, Indiana. It awarded 5 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

Purdue excels when it comes to poly sci quality. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category. Average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue are $28,794, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Political Science at Purdue

#21

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 #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UNC Chapel Hill is a public institution located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 25 masters’s degrees 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 UNC Chapel Hill

Top 25% in overall quality

University of Washington - Seattle Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #22. UW Seattle is a large public school situated in Seattle, Washington. It awarded 4 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 UW Seattle are $30,294.

Read more about Political Science at University of Washington - Seattle Campus

#23

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#18 in overall quality

With a ranking of #23, University of California - Los Angeles did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of California - Los Angeles is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 25 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

UCLA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCLA are $28,131, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Political Science at University of California - Los Angeles

Top 25% in overall quality

With a ranking of #24, University of Wisconsin - Madison did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k list. UW - Madison is located in Madison, Wisconsin and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1 masters’s poly sci degrees to qualified students.

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

Full UW - Madison Political Science Report

Top 25% in overall quality

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a large public school situated in Champaign, Illinois. It awarded 4 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 UIUC are $30,083.

Read more about Political Science at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Rest of the Best 28 in Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $48-$75k

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

#26

The University of West Florida

Pensacola, Florida
#28

Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida

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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