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

30 Ranked Colleges
212 Degrees Awarded
$31,200 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master's 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. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking - to help you make that 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.

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 master’s degree level specifically, there were 212 political science and government graduates with average earnings and debt of $57,039 and $42,488 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 30 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.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the political science and government program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Political Science & Government Schools

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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. 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 Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k

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

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Political Science & Government (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#1 in overall quality

Out of the 30 schools in the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwestern University landed the #1 spot on the list. This large school is located in Evanston, Illinois, and it awarded 13 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwestern also took the #1 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government 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 Northwestern University are $56,567.

Full Northwestern University Political Science & Government Report

#2

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#2 in overall quality

Out of the 30 schools in the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Chicago landed the #2 spot on the list. UChicago is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 9 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UChicago also took the #2 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government 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 Chicago are $61,548.

Read more about Political Science & Government at UChicago

#4 in overall quality

Out of the 30 schools in the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor landed the #3 spot on the list. U-M is a public institution located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 6 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

U-M also made our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #4. Average graduate tuition and fees at U-M are $49,548, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Political Science & Government Report

Out of the 30 schools in the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s 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. Madison, Wisconsin is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s political science degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

UW - Madison did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #0 on our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. 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 more about Political Science & Government at University of Wisconsin - Madison

#5

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana
#3 in overall quality

Out of the 30 schools in the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Notre Dame landed the #5 spot on the list. Notre Dame, Indiana is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s political science degrees to 8 students in 2019-2020.

Notre Dame did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Political Science & Government 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 University of Notre Dame are $57,522.

Full University of Notre Dame Political Science & Government Report

#6 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a public institution located in Champaign, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 4 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UIUC also took the #6 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government 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 Urbana-Champaign are $30,083.

Full UIUC Political Science & Government Report

#7

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
#5 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, Purdue University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. West Lafayette, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s political science degrees to 5 students in 2019-2020.

Purdue also took the #5 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue University - Main Campus are $28,794, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Purdue University - Main Campus Political Science & Government Report

#8

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan
#7 in overall quality

Michigan State University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Michigan State is a public institution located in East Lansing, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 14 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree political science students whose families make $0-$30k list, Michigan State has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government 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 Michigan State University are $37,056.

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

#9 in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, Ohio State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Ohio State is a public institution located in Columbus, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 6 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree political science students whose families make $0-$30k list, Ohio State has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’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 more about Political Science & Government at Ohio State

#17 in overall quality

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. IUPUI is a large school located in Indianapolis, Indiana that handed out 5 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

IUPUI also took the #17 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at IUPUI are $26,013, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis

#11

Ball State University

Muncie, Indiana
#19 in overall quality

Ball State University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Ball State is a large public school situated in Muncie, Indiana. It awarded 5 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Ball State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ball State University are $26,204, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Ball State

#12

University of Illinois at Springfield

Springfield, Illinois
#20 in overall quality

University of Illinois at Springfield came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Springfield, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s political science degrees to 22 students in 2019-2020.

UIS did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Springfield are $16,757, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Illinois at Springfield Political Science & Government Report

#13 in overall quality

University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. UIC is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 masters’s political science degrees to qualified students.

UIC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UIC are $27,036, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UIC Political Science & Government Report

#14

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois

Eastern Illinois University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Charleston, Illinois, and it awarded 13 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

EIU also made our “Best Political Science & Government 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 full report on Political Science & Government at EIU

#15

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, Michigan
#22 in overall quality

Central Michigan University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #15. Central Michigan University is a public institution located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 4 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Central Michigan also made our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #22. Average graduate tuition and fees at Central Michigan University are $19,359, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Central Michigan

#8 in overall quality

Miami University - Oxford landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Miami University - Oxford is a fairly large public school situated in Oxford, Ohio. It awarded 11 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Miami University - Oxford, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Miami University - Oxford are $31,697, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Miami University - Oxford

#17

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois
#23 in overall quality

With a ranking of #17, Northern Illinois University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. NIU is a fairly large public school situated in Dekalb, Illinois. It awarded 2 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

NIU also made our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #23. Average graduate tuition and fees at NIU are $11,086, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science & Government at NIU

#18

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and it awarded 1 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree political science students whose families make $0-$30k list, UWM has also earned the #0 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government 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 UWM are $25,295.

Read more about Political Science & Government at UWM

#19

Wayne State University

Detroit, Michigan
#21 in overall quality

Wayne State University landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Detroit, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s political science degrees to 12 students in 2019-2020.

Wayne State also made our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #21. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Wayne State are $37,215.

Full Wayne State University Political Science & Government Report

Case Western Reserve University landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Case Western Reserve University is located in Cleveland, Ohio and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1 masters’s political science degrees to qualified students.

Case Western also made our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #0. Average graduate tuition and fees at Case Western are $47,958, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Case Western Political Science & Government Report

#21

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois

With a ranking of #21, Illinois State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Illinois State University is a large public school situated in Normal, Illinois. It awarded 9 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree political science students whose families make $0-$30k list, Illinois State has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Illinois State University are $11,069, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Illinois State Political Science & Government Report

#22

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, Michigan
#14 in overall quality

Western Michigan University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. WMU is a fairly large public school situated in Kalamazoo, Michigan. It awarded 3 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

WMU also made our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #14. Average graduate tuition and fees at WMU are $31,355, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at WMU

#23

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois

Western Illinois University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Macomb, Illinois, this medium-sized public school handed out 8 diplomas to qualified masters’s political science students in 2019-2020.

WIU also made our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #24. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at WIU are $11,996.

Read more about Political Science & Government at WIU

#11 in overall quality

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UC is a public institution located in Cincinnati, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC are $26,644, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UC Political Science & Government Report

#25

Marquette University

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
#10 in overall quality

With a ranking of #25, Marquette University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and it awarded 2 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Marquette also made our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #10. Average graduate tuition and fees at Marquette University are $21,690, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Marquette

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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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