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2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k

113 Ranked Colleges
696 Degrees Awarded
$46,200 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

Political Science & Government is the 21st most popular major in the country with 48,597 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, political science and government graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $33,977 and had an average of $22,822 in loans still to pay off.

At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 696 political science and government graduates with average earnings and debt of $72,680 and $116,043 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 113 colleges that offered a degree in political science and government. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great political science and government programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the political science and government program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

The political science school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k”.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Political Science & Government (Income $0-$30k)

#1

Yale University

New Haven, Connecticut
#1 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Yale University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k. Yale is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in New Haven, Connecticut. It awarded 21 doctorate’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree political science students whose families make $0-$30k list, Yale has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’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.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Yale

#2

Duke University

Durham, North Carolina
#2 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Duke University. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Durham, North Carolina. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 15 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree political science students whose families make $0-$30k list, Duke has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Duke are $59,140, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Duke

#3

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
#3 in overall quality

Out of the 113 schools in the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Pennsylvania landed the #3 spot on the list. This large school is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 10 doctorate’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

UPenn also made our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #3. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Pennsylvania are $41,760.

Read more about Political Science & Government at UPenn

#4

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#4 in overall quality

Out of the 113 schools in the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Stanford University landed the #4 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Stanford, California, and it awarded 18 doctorate’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Stanford did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford University are $55,011, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Stanford University

#5

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#7 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northwestern University. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Northwestern University is a large school located in Evanston, Illinois that handed out 15 doctorate’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwestern also took the #7 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern University are $56,567, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Northwestern

#6

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts

Harvard University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. Harvard is a private not-for-profit institution located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The school has a large population, and it awarded 16 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Harvard, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Harvard are $50,654, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Harvard University

#7

Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri
#11 in overall quality

Washington University in St Louis did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. WUSTL is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Louis, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 7 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

WUSTL did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. 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 & Government at Washington University in St Louis

#8

Princeton University

Princeton, New Jersey
#10 in overall quality

Princeton University landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Princeton is a medium-sized school located in Princeton, New Jersey that handed out 26 doctorate’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Princeton did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Princeton University are $56,470.

Full Princeton University Political Science & Government Report

#9

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, Maryland
#8 in overall quality

Johns Hopkins University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Johns Hopkins is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Baltimore, Maryland. It awarded 5 doctorate’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Johns Hopkins, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Johns Hopkins University are $59,425, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Johns Hopkins University

#10

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, Michigan
#13 in overall quality

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is a large school located in Ann Arbor, Michigan that handed out 14 doctorate’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

U-M also took the #13 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’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.

Read more about Political Science & Government at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

#11

Brown University

Providence, Rhode Island
#17 in overall quality

Brown University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Providence, Rhode Island is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s political science degrees to 4 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree political science students whose families make $0-$30k list, Brown has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Brown are $60,363.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Brown

#12

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee
#14 in overall quality

Vanderbilt University landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Vanderbilt University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Nashville, Tennessee. It awarded 4 doctorate’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Vanderbilt also took the #14 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Vanderbilt University are $50,624, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Vanderbilt

#13

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

University of Chicago landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Chicago is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 11 doctorate’s political science degrees to qualified students.

UChicago also took the #12 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Chicago are $61,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Chicago Political Science & Government Report

#14

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida

University of Florida ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. 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 UF are $30,130, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UF Political Science & Government Report

#15

Cornell University

Ithaca, New York
#15 in overall quality

Cornell University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Cornell 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 not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Political Science & Government 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 University are $30,042.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Cornell

University of Wisconsin - Madison did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. UW - Madison is a large public school situated in Madison, Wisconsin. It awarded 8 doctorate’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - Madison, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Madison are $25,523, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#17

Georgetown University

Washington, District of Columbia

Georgetown University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Georgetown is a private not-for-profit institution located in Washington, District of Columbia. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 10 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Georgetown not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Georgetown are $53,591, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Georgetown

#18

Rice University

Houston, Texas
Top 25% in overall quality

Rice University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Rice University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Houston, Texas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Rice University are $47,913, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Rice Political Science & Government Report

#19

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a large school located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina that handed out 8 doctorate’s political science 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 North Carolina at Chapel Hill are $30,248.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at UNC Chapel Hill

#20

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana
#9 in overall quality

University of Notre Dame came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Notre Dame is a fairly large school located in Notre Dame, Indiana that handed out 10 doctorate’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Notre Dame did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Notre Dame are $57,522, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Notre Dame Political Science & Government Report

#6 in overall quality

With a ranking of #21, Columbia University in the City of New York did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Columbia is a private not-for-profit institution located in New York, New York. The school has a large population, and it awarded 16 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Columbia, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Columbia University in the City of New York are $51,194, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Columbia Political Science & Government Report

#22

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#24 in overall quality

With a ranking of #22, Indiana University - Bloomington did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Bloomington, Indiana, this large public school awarded 19 degrees to qualified doctorate’s political science students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree political science students whose families make $0-$30k list, IU Bloomington has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - Bloomington are $33,338, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full IU Bloomington Political Science & Government Report

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is located in Champaign, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 5 doctorate’s political science degrees to qualified students.

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 & Government at UIUC

#24

University of Maryland - College Park

College Park, Maryland

University of Maryland - College Park did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #24. University of Maryland - College Park is a large school located in College Park, Maryland that handed out 11 doctorate’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UMCP are $30,885, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at University of Maryland - College Park

University of Washington - Seattle Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #25. University of Washington - Seattle Campus is located in Seattle, Washington and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 doctorate’s political science degrees to qualified students.

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 & Government at UW Seattle

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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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