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

27 Ranked Colleges
210 Degrees Awarded
$26,200 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master's in the Great Lakes Region

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region” ranking is part of that endeavor.

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

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 5,729 political science graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 210 political science graduates with average earnings and debt of $57,039 and $42,488 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region” ranking, we looked at 27 colleges that offer 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 Master’s in the Great Lakes Region” list to help you make the college decision.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important 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 Master’s in the Great Lakes Region

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

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Political Science in the Great Lakes Region

#1

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois
#18 in overall quality

Out of the 27 schools in the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Illinois State University landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Normal, Illinois, this large public school awarded 9 degrees to qualified masters’s poly sci students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree poly sci students list, Illinois State has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Illinois State University are $11,069, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Political Science at Illinois State University

#2

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois
#23 in overall quality

Out of the 27 schools in the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Northern Illinois University landed the #2 spot on the list. Dekalb, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s poly sci degrees to 2 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at NIU, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at NIU are $11,086, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Northern Illinois University Political Science Report

#3

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois
#24 in overall quality

Out of the 27 schools in the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Western Illinois University landed the #3 spot on the list. WIU is a public institution located in Macomb, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 8 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

WIU also took the #24 spot in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at WIU are $11,996, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Western Illinois University Political Science Report

#20 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Illinois at Springfield. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region. University of Illinois at Springfield is a small public school situated in Springfield, Illinois. It awarded 22 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree poly sci students list, UIS has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Political Science Master’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 Springfield are $16,757.

Read full report on Political Science at UIS

#5

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
#5 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Purdue University - Main Campus. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. Purdue University - Main Campus is a large public school situated in West Lafayette, Indiana. It awarded 5 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

Purdue also took the #5 spot in our “Best Political Science Master’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 University - Main Campus are $28,794.

Read more about Political Science at Purdue

#6

Marquette University

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
#10 in overall quality

Marquette University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. Milwaukee, Wisconsin 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 2 students in 2019-2020.

Marquette also took the #10 spot in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Marquette are $21,690, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Marquette Political Science Report

#7

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois
#15 in overall quality

Eastern Illinois University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking. EIU is located in Charleston, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 13 masters’s poly sci degrees to qualified students.

EIU also made our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #15. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Eastern Illinois University are $20,761.

Read more about Political Science at Eastern Illinois University

#8

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, Michigan
#22 in overall quality

Central Michigan University landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Central Michigan is a fairly large school located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan that handed out 4 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Central Michigan, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Central Michigan are $19,359, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science at Central Michigan University

#9

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#12 in overall quality

Loyola University Chicago did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #9. Loyola University Chicago is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 masters’s poly sci degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree poly sci students list, Loyola Chicago has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Political Science Master’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 Loyola University Chicago are $19,154.

Full Loyola University Chicago Political Science Report

#16 in overall quality

Ohio University - Athens Campus landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Ohio University - Athens Campus is a public institution located in Athens, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 5 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree poly sci students list, OHIO Athens has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio University - Athens Campus are $17,712, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Political Science at OHIO Athens

Northeastern Illinois University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Northeastern Illinois University is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 5 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Northeastern Illinois University are $17,032.

Full Northeastern Illinois University Political Science Report

University of Akron Main Campus landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This fairly large school is located in Akron, Ohio, and it awarded 3 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 University of Akron Main Campus are $15,217.

Full University of Akron Main Campus Political Science Report

#6 in overall quality

With a ranking of #13, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. UIUC is a large school located in Champaign, Illinois that handed out 4 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree poly sci students list, UIUC has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UIUC are $30,083, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#11 in overall quality

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This large school is located in Cincinnati, Ohio, and it awarded 3 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

UC also took the #11 spot in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC are $26,644, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Political Science Report

#17 in overall quality

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Indianapolis, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s poly sci degrees to 5 students in 2019-2020.

IUPUI also took the #17 spot in our “Best Political Science Master’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 IUPUI are $26,013.

Read full report on Political Science at IUPUI

#13 in overall quality

With a ranking of #16, University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. University of Illinois at Chicago is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 masters’s poly sci degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIC, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Political Science Master’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 Chicago are $27,036.

Read more about Political Science at UIC

#17

Ball State University

Muncie, Indiana
#19 in overall quality

Ball State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #17. Ball State is a large public school situated in Muncie, Indiana. It awarded 5 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

Ball State also made our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #19. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Ball State University are $26,204.

Read full report on Political Science at Ball State

#25 in overall quality

Kent State University at Kent did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #18. Kent State University at Kent is located in Kent, Ohio and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 masters’s poly sci degrees to qualified students.

Kent State also took the #25 spot in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Kent State University at Kent are $21,952, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Kent State University at Kent Political Science Report

#8 in overall quality

Miami University - Oxford came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Miami University - Oxford is located in Oxford, Ohio and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 11 masters’s poly sci degrees to qualified students.

Miami University - Oxford did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Miami University - Oxford are $31,697, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Political Science at Miami University - Oxford

#20

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan
#7 in overall quality

Michigan State University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. Michigan State University is a large school located in East Lansing, Michigan that handed out 14 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

Michigan State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Political Science Master’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 are $37,056.

Read more about Political Science at Michigan State

#21

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, Michigan
#14 in overall quality

With a ranking of #21, Western Michigan University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. Western Michigan University is a public institution located in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

WMU also took the #14 spot in our “Best Political Science Master’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 Western Michigan University are $31,355.

Read full report on Political Science at WMU

#9 in overall quality

Ohio State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #22. Ohio State is located in Columbus, Ohio and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 6 masters’s poly sci degrees to qualified students.

Ohio State also took the #9 spot in our “Best Political Science Master’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 Ohio State University - Main Campus are $37,141.

Full Ohio State Political Science Report

#23

Wayne State University

Detroit, Michigan
#21 in overall quality

Wayne State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #23. Wayne State is a large school located in Detroit, Michigan that handed out 12 masters’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

Wayne State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Wayne State are $37,215, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Wayne State Political Science Report

#24

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 Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #24. 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 in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #4. 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

#25

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana
#3 in overall quality

University of Notre Dame landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking. University of 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.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree poly sci students list, Notre Dame has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Political Science Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. 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 University of Notre Dame

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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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