2027 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois
[Political Science](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/political-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong political science education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 21 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value political science schools.
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2027 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the political science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Political Science Schools
For return on investment in political science, no school beat University Of Illinois At Chicago this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $21,761 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $38,363. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in political science will find it at University Of Illinois At Springfield, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,557, while out-of-state students pay about $20,139. Political Science graduates carry a median of $25,848 in student loans. Political Science graduates of University Of Illinois At Springfield earn a median of $52,565 early in their careers. Set against $25,848 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Springfield admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Chicago is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $18,500. Political Science graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $56,022 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Students looking for strong value in political science will find it at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Political Science graduates carry a median of $20,025 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $35,172. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Eastern Illinois University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,377, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Students borrow a median of $24,739 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $28,721. Set against $24,739 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Western Illinois University came in at #6 for value in political science this year. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,572. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $25,000. Early-career political science graduates make about $32,359. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Northern Illinois University earned the #7 position for value in political science this year. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,060. Political Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $32,225. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,334 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $26,171. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $26,635. Set against $26,171 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.
Northeastern Illinois University earned the #9 position for value in political science this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,383 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,726 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,550 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Northeastern Illinois University generally make around $25,912. That is a strong return on a $17,550 median debt. Northeastern Illinois University admits about 75% of applicants.
North Park University placed #10 among the best values for political science. North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $36,710 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $27,360. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from North Park University generally make around $51,611. That is a strong return on a $27,360 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville placed #11 among the best values for political science. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,092. Political Science graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $31,786 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville admits about 98% of applicants.
Aurora University came in at #12 for value in political science this year. Located in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $29,170 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $24,507. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Aurora University generally make around $51,483. Set against $24,507 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois State University earned the #13 position for value in political science this year. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. In-state tuition and fees average $14,410, while out-of-state students pay about $26,058. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $22,201. Political Science graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $34,519 early in their careers. Set against $22,201 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Benedictine University landed the #14 spot for political science value this year. Set in the suburb of Lisle, Benedictine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $32,648 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,338 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Benedictine University generally make around $54,212. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Bradley University placed #15 among the best values for political science. Set in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,160. Political Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Bradley University generally make around $31,902. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Augustana College Illinois ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rock Island. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,598. Political Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $35,626. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Augustana College Illinois admits about 63% of applicants.
Wheaton College Illinois earned the #17 position for value in political science this year. Located in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $45,546 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $23,250. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Wheaton College Illinois generally make around $45,069. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Lake Forest College came in at #18 for value in political science this year. Located in the suburb of Lake Forest, Lake Forest College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,402. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $34,317. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lake Forest College admits about 57% of applicants.
Northwestern University earned the #19 position for value in political science this year. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,322. Students borrow a median of $16,834 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $54,737. That is a strong return on a $16,834 median debt. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Depaul University earned the #20 position for value in political science this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,405. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $24,499. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $37,531. That is a strong return on a $24,499 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Loyola University Chicago placed #21 among the best values for political science. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,710. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $23,250. Early-career political science graduates make about $37,007. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Loyola University Chicago admits about 82% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
