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2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

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 $30-$48k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2019-2020, 48,597 people earned their degree in political science and government, making the major the 21st most popular in the United States. 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 $30-$48k” 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.

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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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 $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. 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 in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region doctor’s degree political science students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 19 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Political Science & Government (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#1 in overall quality

Out of the 19 schools in the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwestern University landed the #1 spot on the list. Northwestern is a large school located in Evanston, Illinois that handed out 15 doctorate’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northwestern, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern University are $56,567, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Northwestern

#4 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. 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 made our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’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 U-M Political Science & Government Report

#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 $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Chicago landed the #3 spot on the list. University of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 11 doctorate’s degrees 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. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UChicago are $61,548.

Full UChicago Political Science & Government Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UW - Madison is a public institution located in Madison, Wisconsin. The school has a large population, and it awarded 8 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree political science students whose families make $30-$48k 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. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Madison are $25,523.

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

#5

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana
#2 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Notre Dame. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Notre Dame, Indiana, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 10 degrees to qualified doctorate’s political science students in 2019-2020.

Notre Dame did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Notre Dame are $57,522, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Political Science & Government at University of Notre Dame

#6

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#6 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, Indiana University - Bloomington did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Bloomington, Indiana, this large public school handed out 19 degrees 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 $30-$48k list, IU Bloomington has also earned the #6 rank 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 IU Bloomington are $33,338.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Indiana University - Bloomington

#7

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
#7 in overall quality

Purdue University - Main Campus landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in West Lafayette, Indiana, this large public school awarded 5 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s political science students in 2019-2020.

Purdue also took the #7 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 Purdue University - Main Campus are $28,794.

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

#8 in overall quality

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Champaign, Illinois, this large public school handed out 5 degrees to qualified doctorate’s political science students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIUC, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are $30,083, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UIUC Political Science & Government Report

#10 in overall quality

Ohio State University - Main Campus ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Ohio State is a public institution located in Columbus, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 7 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Ohio State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio State University - Main Campus are $37,141, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Ohio State

#10

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan
#9 in overall quality

Michigan State University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in East Lansing, Michigan, this large public school awarded 8 degrees to qualified doctorate’s political science students in 2019-2020.

Michigan State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Michigan State are $37,056, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Michigan State University

#12 in overall quality

With a ranking of #11, University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Illinois at Chicago is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UIC also made our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #12. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Chicago are $27,036, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science & Government at UIC

#12

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois
#15 in overall quality

Northern Illinois University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #12. Northern Illinois University is located in Dekalb, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 doctorate’s political science degrees to qualified students.

NIU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at NIU are $11,086, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Northern Illinois University

#13

Wayne State University

Detroit, Michigan
#18 in overall quality

Wayne State University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Wayne State is a large public school situated in Detroit, Michigan. It awarded 3 doctorate’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Wayne State also made our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #18. Average graduate tuition and fees at Wayne State University are $37,215, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Wayne State University

#17 in overall quality

With a ranking of #14, Southern Illinois University Carbondale did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k 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.

SIUC also took the #17 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at SIUC are $32,928, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Southern Illinois University Carbondale Political Science & Government Report

#15

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
#16 in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UWM is a large public school situated in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It awarded 1 doctorate’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UWM, the school also landed the #16 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 UWM are $25,295.

Read more about Political Science & Government at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

#11 in overall quality

With a ranking of #16, University of Cincinnati - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Cincinnati, Ohio, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC, the school also landed the #11 spot 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 you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Political Science & Government at University of Cincinnati - Main Campus

#17

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, Michigan
#14 in overall quality

Western Michigan University landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and it awarded 1 doctorate’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at WMU, the school also landed 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 you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#19 in overall quality

Kent State University at Kent did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #18. Kent State University at Kent is a large public school situated in Kent, Ohio. It awarded 2 doctorate’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Kent State also took the #19 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 Kent State University at Kent are $21,952.

Full Kent State University at Kent Political Science & Government Report

#19

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#13 in overall quality

Loyola University Chicago came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Loyola University 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 Chicago are $19,154, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Loyola University Chicago Political Science & Government Report

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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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