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2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

19 Ranked Colleges
120 Degrees Awarded
$34,400 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. 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 Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

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.

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 5,852 political science and government graduates with average earnings and debt of $32,057 and $23,720 respectively. At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 120 political science and government graduates with average earnings and debt of $74,428 and $121,375 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 19 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in political science and government. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality political science and government 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 and government program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

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. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region doctor’s degree political science students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 19 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Political Science & Government (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#1 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northwestern University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Northwestern is a private not-for-profit institution located in Evanston, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 15 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwestern also made our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #1. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern are $56,567, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Northwestern University

#4 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and it awarded 14 doctorate’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

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

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

#3

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

Out of the 19 schools in the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Chicago landed the #3 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 political science degrees to 11 students in 2019-2020.

UChicago also took the #3 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UChicago are $61,548, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Political Science & Government at UChicago

Out of the 19 schools in the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #4 spot on the list. This large school is located in Madison, Wisconsin, and it awarded 8 doctorate’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree political science students whose families make $0-$30k list, UW - Madison has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” 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.

Full University of Wisconsin - Madison Political Science & Government Report

#5

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana
#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Notre Dame. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. University of Notre Dame is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Notre Dame, Indiana. It awarded 10 doctorate’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Notre Dame not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” 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

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#6 in overall quality

Indiana University - Bloomington did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. Indiana University - 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 also made our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #6. Average graduate tuition and fees at IU Bloomington are $33,338, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Indiana University - Bloomington

#8 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Champaign, Illinois, this large public school handed out 5 degrees to qualified doctorate’s political science students in 2019-2020.

UIUC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Political Science & Government 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 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are $30,083.

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

#8

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
#7 in overall quality

Purdue University - Main Campus landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in West Lafayette, Indiana, this large public school handed out 5 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s political science students in 2019-2020.

Purdue also made our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #7. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue are $28,794.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Purdue

#9

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan
#9 in overall quality

Michigan State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. Michigan State University is a public institution located in East Lansing, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 8 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Michigan State, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Michigan State are $37,056, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Michigan State University

#10 in overall quality

With a ranking of #10, Ohio State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Columbus, Ohio, this large public school handed out 7 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s political science students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree political science students whose families make $0-$30k list, Ohio State has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio State University - Main Campus are $37,141, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#12 in overall quality

University of Illinois at Chicago ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Illinois at Chicago is a large public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 3 doctorate’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

UIC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Chicago are $27,036, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Illinois at Chicago Political Science & Government Report

#12

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois
#15 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, Northern Illinois University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Northern Illinois University is a fairly large public school situated in Dekalb, Illinois. It awarded 2 doctorate’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at NIU, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government 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 Northern Illinois University are $11,086.

Read more about Political Science & Government at NIU

#13

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
#16 in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, this large public school handed out 1 degrees to qualified doctorate’s political science students in 2019-2020.

UWM also made our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #16. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee are $25,295, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at UWM

#14

Wayne State University

Detroit, Michigan
#18 in overall quality

Wayne State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. Wayne State is a large public school situated in Detroit, Michigan. It awarded 3 doctorate’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree political science students whose families make $0-$30k list, Wayne State has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Wayne State University are $37,215, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Wayne State

#17 in overall quality

Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is located in Carbondale, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1 doctorate’s political science degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SIUC, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government 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 Southern Illinois University Carbondale are $32,928.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Southern Illinois University Carbondale

#16

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, Michigan
#14 in overall quality

Western Michigan University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. This fairly large school is located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and it awarded 1 doctorate’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

WMU also took the #14 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Western Michigan University are $31,355, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science & Government at WMU

#11 in overall quality

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UC is a large school located in Cincinnati, Ohio that handed out 2 doctorate’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree political science students whose families make $0-$30k list, UC has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC are $26,644, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UC Political Science & Government Report

#19 in overall quality

Kent State University at Kent came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Kent State is located in Kent, Ohio and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 doctorate’s political science degrees to qualified students.

Kent State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. 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.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Kent State

#19

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#13 in overall quality

Loyola University Chicago landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Loyola Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Loyola Chicago also took the #13 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Loyola University Chicago are $19,154, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Loyola Chicago

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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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