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2022 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Political Science in the Great Lakes Region

19 Ranked Colleges
120 Degrees Awarded
$34,400 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

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

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 5,729 political science graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 120 political science graduates with average earnings and debt of $74,428 and $121,375 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region” ranking looked at 19 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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 for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region” 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. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region

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

Top 19 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Political Science in the Great Lakes Region

#5 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 in the Great Lakes Region list. UW - Madison is a public institution located in Madison, Wisconsin. The school has a large population, and it awarded 8 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UW - Madison also made our “Best Political Science Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #5. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Madison are $25,523, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#2

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois
#15 in overall quality

Out of the 19 schools in the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Northern Illinois University landed the #2 spot on the list. Northern Illinois University is located in Dekalb, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 doctorate’s poly sci degrees to qualified students.

NIU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Political Science Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at NIU are $11,086.

Full Northern Illinois University Political Science Report

#3

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
#7 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Purdue University - Main Campus. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region list. West Lafayette, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s poly sci degrees to 5 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree poly sci students list, Purdue has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Political Science Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue are $28,794.

Full Purdue University - Main Campus Political Science Report

#4

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#13 in overall quality

Out of the 19 schools in the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Loyola University Chicago landed the #4 spot on the list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s poly sci degrees to 2 students in 2019-2020.

Loyola Chicago not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Political Science Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Loyola University Chicago are $19,154, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Loyola University Chicago Political Science Report

#5

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#6 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Indiana University - Bloomington. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region. Indiana University - Bloomington is a large school located in Bloomington, Indiana that handed out 19 doctorate’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

IU Bloomington not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Political Science Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - Bloomington are $33,338, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Indiana University - Bloomington Political Science Report

#8 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region list. Champaign, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s poly sci degrees to 5 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIUC, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Political Science Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are $30,083.

Read full report on Political Science at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

#11 in overall quality

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #7. UC is a large school located in Cincinnati, Ohio that handed out 2 doctorate’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

UC also took the #11 spot in our “Best Political Science Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Cincinnati - Main Campus are $26,644.

Read more about Political Science at UC

#12 in overall quality

University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #8. Chicago, Illinois 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.

UIC also took the #12 spot in our “Best Political Science Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UIC are $27,036, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UIC Political Science Report

#19 in overall quality

Kent State University at Kent ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region list. This large school is located in Kent, Ohio, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

Kent State also made our “Best Political Science Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #19. Average graduate tuition and fees at Kent State are $21,952, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Political Science at Kent State University at Kent

#10

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
#16 in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking. UWM is a large school located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin that handed out 1 doctorate’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree poly sci students list, UWM has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Political Science Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UWM are $25,295, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

#11

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan
#9 in overall quality

With a ranking of #11, Michigan State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region list. This large school is located in East Lansing, Michigan, and it awarded 8 doctorate’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

Michigan State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Political Science Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Michigan State University are $37,056.

Read full report on Political Science at Michigan State

#12

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, Michigan
#14 in overall quality

Western Michigan University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region list. This fairly large school is located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and it awarded 1 doctorate’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

WMU also made our “Best Political Science Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #14. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Western Michigan University are $31,355.

Read more about Political Science at Western Michigan University

#10 in overall quality

Ohio State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #13. Columbus, Ohio is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s poly sci degrees to 7 students in 2019-2020.

Ohio State also took the #10 spot in our “Best Political Science Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio State are $37,141, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Political Science at Ohio State University - Main Campus

#17 in overall quality

Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This fairly large school is located in Carbondale, Illinois, and it awarded 1 doctorate’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

SIUC also took the #17 spot in our “Best Political Science Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at SIUC are $32,928.

Full SIUC Political Science Report

#15

Wayne State University

Detroit, Michigan
#18 in overall quality

Wayne State University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region list. This large school is located in Detroit, Michigan, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

Wayne State also made our “Best Political Science Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #18. Average graduate tuition and fees at Wayne State University are $37,215, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Wayne State University Political Science Report

#16

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, Michigan
#4 in overall quality

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #16. U-M is a public institution located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 14 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

U-M not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Political Science Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at U-M are $49,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Political Science Report

#17

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana
#2 in overall quality

University of Notre Dame came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Notre Dame, Indiana is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s poly sci degrees to 10 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Notre Dame, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Political Science Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Notre Dame are $57,522.

Read more about Political Science at Notre Dame

#18

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#1 in overall quality

Northwestern University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #18. Northwestern is a large school located in Evanston, Illinois that handed out 15 doctorate’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwestern not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Political Science Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern are $56,567, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Political Science at Northwestern University

#19

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#3 in overall quality

With a ranking of #19, University of Chicago did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region list. University of Chicago is a fairly large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 11 doctorate’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

UChicago also made our “Best Political Science Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #3. Average graduate tuition and fees at UChicago are $61,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science at UChicago

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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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