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

30 Ranked Colleges
212 Degrees Awarded
$30,900 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master's in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k

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 Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” 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 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 $30-$48k” ranking looked at 30 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Political Science & Government Schools

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 Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

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

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Political Science & Government (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#1 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northwestern University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Northwestern is a private not-for-profit institution located in Evanston, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 13 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwestern not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern are $56,567, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Northwestern

#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 $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Chicago landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 9 degrees to qualified masters’s political science students 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 full report on Political Science & Government at University of Chicago

#4 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Ann Arbor, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s political science degrees to 6 students in 2019-2020.

U-M did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 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 U-M are $49,548.

Read more about Political Science & Government at U-M

#4

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana
#3 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 #4 for the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Notre Dame is a fairly large school located in Notre Dame, Indiana that handed out 8 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 $30-$48k list, Notre Dame has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government 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.

Full University of Notre Dame Political Science & Government Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Wisconsin - Madison is a large school located in Madison, Wisconsin that handed out 1 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

UW - Madison also made our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #0. 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.

Full UW - Madison Political Science & Government Report

#6

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
#5 in overall quality

Purdue University - Main Campus ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in West Lafayette, Indiana, and it awarded 5 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 $30-$48k list, Purdue has also earned the #5 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 Purdue University - Main Campus are $28,794.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Purdue

#6 in overall quality

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UIUC is a large public school situated in Champaign, Illinois. It awarded 4 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIUC, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UIUC are $30,083, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at UIUC

#9 in overall quality

With a ranking of #8, 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 $30-$48k list. Ohio State University - Main Campus is located in Columbus, Ohio and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 6 masters’s political science degrees to qualified students.

Ohio State also took the #9 spot 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 University - Main Campus

#20 in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, University of Illinois at Springfield did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Springfield, Illinois, this small public school awarded 22 degrees to qualified masters’s political science students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree political science students whose families make $30-$48k list, UIS has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UIS are $16,757, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science & Government at University of Illinois at Springfield

#17 in overall quality

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. IUPUI is a large public school situated in Indianapolis, Indiana. It awarded 5 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

IUPUI did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at IUPUI are $26,013, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis Political Science & Government Report

#11

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois

Eastern Illinois University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. EIU is a medium-sized public school situated in Charleston, Illinois. It awarded 13 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

EIU also took the #15 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Eastern Illinois University are $20,761, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Eastern Illinois University Political Science & Government Report

#12

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan
#7 in overall quality

Michigan State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #12. Michigan State University is located in East Lansing, Michigan and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 14 masters’s political science degrees to qualified students.

Michigan State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Political Science & Government Master’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 full report on Political Science & Government at Michigan State University

#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 $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #13. This large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 3 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 $30-$48k list, UIC has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UIC are $27,036, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at University of Illinois at Chicago

#14

Ball State University

Muncie, Indiana
#19 in overall quality

Ball State 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 $30-$48k ranking. Muncie, 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.

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 are $26,204, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

Case Western Reserve University landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Case Western 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Case Western, the school also landed the #0 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Case Western are $47,958, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Case Western Reserve University

#16

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, Michigan
#22 in overall quality

With a ranking of #16, Central Michigan University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Mount Pleasant, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s political science degrees to 4 students in 2019-2020.

Central Michigan also took the #22 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Central Michigan University are $19,359, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Central Michigan

#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 $30-$48k list. Located in Dekalb, Illinois, this fairly large public school awarded 2 degrees to qualified masters’s political science students 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 Northern Illinois University are $11,086, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full NIU Political Science & Government Report

#18

Wayne State University

Detroit, Michigan
#21 in overall quality

Wayne State University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Wayne State, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Wayne State are $37,215, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Wayne State University

#8 in overall quality

Miami University - Oxford landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Oxford, Ohio, and it awarded 11 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 $30-$48k list, Miami University - Oxford has also earned the #8 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 Miami University - Oxford are $31,697.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Miami University - Oxford

#20

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Milwaukee, 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UWM, the school also landed the #0 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UWM are $25,295, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#21

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois

With a ranking of #21, Western 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 $30-$48k list. Macomb, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s political science degrees to 8 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at WIU, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Western Illinois University are $11,996, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at WIU

Northeastern Illinois University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #22. This medium-sized school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 5 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Northeastern Illinois University are $17,032, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Northeastern Illinois University

#23

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois

Illinois State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #23. Illinois State University is a large public school situated in Normal, Illinois. It awarded 9 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Illinois State also made our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #18. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Illinois State are $11,069.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Illinois State

#11 in overall quality

With a ranking of #24, University of Cincinnati - 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 $30-$48k list. Cincinnati, Ohio is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s political science degrees to 3 students in 2019-2020.

UC also took the #11 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 UC are $26,644.

Read more about Political Science & Government at UC

#25

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 Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #25. WMU is a fairly large school located in Kalamazoo, Michigan that handed out 3 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

WMU also took the #14 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at WMU are $31,355, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Western Michigan University 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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