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2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate

113 Ranked Colleges
688 Degrees Awarded
$23,800 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate

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 Doctorate” 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 doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 688 political science graduates with average earnings and debt of $72,680 and $116,043 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate” ranking analyzed 113 colleges that offered a degree in political science. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality political science programs that also have a lower cost than 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Political Science Schools

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate” list to help you make the college 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. 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 Doctorate

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate.

Top 25 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Political Science

#16 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate list. UW - Madison is a large school located in Madison, Wisconsin that handed out 8 doctorate’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

UW - Madison not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Political Science Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Madison are $25,523.

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

#2

University of South Dakota

Vermillion, South Dakota

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of South Dakota. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate. Vermillion, South Dakota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s poly sci degrees to 2 students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of South Dakota are $12,637.

Full University of South Dakota Political Science Report

#3

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northern Illinois University. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate list. Northern Illinois University is a fairly large public school situated in Dekalb, Illinois. It awarded 2 doctorate’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at NIU are $11,086, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full NIU Political Science Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of North Texas. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate. UNT is a large school located in Denton, Texas that handed out 7 doctorate’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UNT are $15,618, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UNT Political Science Report

#5

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas

Out of the 113 schools in the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate that were part of this year’s ranking, Texas Tech University landed the #5 spot on the list. Texas Tech University is a large public school situated in Lubbock, Texas. It awarded 4 doctorate’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas Tech are $17,530, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Texas Tech Political Science Report

The University of Texas at Austin landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate ranking. UT Austin is a public institution located in Austin, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 13 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UT Austin are $22,886, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Political Science at UT Austin

University of Nebraska - Lincoln did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate ranking, coming in at #7. This large school is located in Lincoln, Nebraska, and it awarded 4 doctorate’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UNL are $19,513, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Political Science at University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Texas A&M University - College Station landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate ranking. College Station, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s poly sci degrees to 3 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A&M College Station are $22,743, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Texas A&M University - College Station Political Science Report

#9

University of Houston

Houston, Texas

University of Houston did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate ranking, coming in at #9. University of Houston is a large public school situated in Houston, Texas. It awarded 5 doctorate’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 University of Houston are $18,689.

Read full report on Political Science at University of Houston

#10

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana

With a ranking of #10, Purdue University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate list. Purdue University - Main Campus is a large public school situated in West Lafayette, Indiana. It awarded 5 doctorate’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 Purdue are $28,794.

Read more about Political Science at Purdue University - Main Campus

University of Missouri - Columbia ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate list. Mizzou is located in Columbia, Missouri and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 8 doctorate’s poly sci degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Mizzou are $27,193, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Political Science at University of Missouri - Columbia

#12

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida

University of Florida did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate ranking, coming in at #12. UF is a public institution located in Gainesville, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 8 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Florida are $30,130, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Political Science at University of Florida

#13

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate ranking. Minneapolis, Minnesota is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s poly sci degrees to 8 students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities are $28,845.

Read more about Political Science at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

#14

University of Georgia

Athens, Georgia

University of Georgia landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate ranking. Athens, Georgia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s poly sci degrees to 11 students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Georgia are $27,476.

Read full report on Political Science at UGA

#15

Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, Arizona

With a ranking of #15, Northern Arizona University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate list. Located in Flagstaff, Arizona, this large public school awarded 4 degrees to qualified doctorate’s poly sci students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at NAU are $19,489.

Read more about Political Science at Northern Arizona University

#16

University of Kansas

Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate ranking, coming in at #16. Located in Lawrence, Kansas, this large public school handed out 2 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s poly sci students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at KU are $25,007.

Read full report on Political Science at KU

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate ranking, coming in at #17. University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a public institution located in Norman, Oklahoma. The school has a large population, and it awarded 5 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Oklahoma are $23,236, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Political Science at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus

#18

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

With a ranking of #18, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate list. This large school is located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and it awarded 8 doctorate’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UNC Chapel Hill are $30,248, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science at UNC Chapel Hill

#19

Cornell University

Ithaca, New York
#15 in overall quality

With a ranking of #19, Cornell University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate list. Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Ithaca, New York. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Cornell did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Political Science Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Cornell are $30,042.

Full Cornell University Political Science Report

With a ranking of #20, University of Nevada - Las Vegas did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate list. University of Nevada - Las Vegas is a public institution located in Las Vegas, Nevada. The school has a large population, and it awarded 9 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UNLV are $21,962, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Political Science at University of Nevada - Las Vegas

#21

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

Loyola University Chicago landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate ranking. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 2 degrees to qualified doctorate’s poly sci students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Loyola Chicago are $19,154, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Political Science at Loyola University Chicago

#22

Northeastern University

Boston, Massachusetts

Northeastern University landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate ranking. Northeastern is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Boston, Massachusetts. It awarded 2 doctorate’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Northeastern are $25,558, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Northeastern University Political Science Report

#23

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#24 in overall quality

Indiana University - Bloomington landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate ranking. IU Bloomington is a public institution located in Bloomington, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 19 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

IU Bloomington not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Political Science Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at IU Bloomington are $33,338, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science at IU Bloomington

#24

University of Utah

Salt Lake City, Utah

University of Utah ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate list. University of Utah is a large public school situated in Salt Lake City, Utah. It awarded 3 doctorate’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 U of U are $24,695.

Read full report on Political Science at U of U

#25

University of Maryland - College Park

College Park, Maryland
Top 25% in overall quality

With a ranking of #25, University of Maryland - College Park did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate list. University of Maryland - College Park is located in College Park, Maryland and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 11 doctorate’s poly sci degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Maryland - College Park are $30,885, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science at University of Maryland - College Park

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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