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2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k

34 Ranked Colleges
1,532 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking.

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 Illinois, there were 1,532 political science and government graduates with average earnings and debt of $32,277 and $22,016 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking analyzed 34 colleges that offered a degree in political science and government. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent political science and government programs, but they also 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

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 in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k” 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. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Political Science & Government (Income $48-$75k) in Illinois

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northwestern University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Northwestern is located in Evanston, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 149 ’s political science degrees to qualified students.

Northwestern also took the #1 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $6,452 for illinois political science students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Northwestern.

The low student loan default rate of 0.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Northwestern

#2

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Chicago. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k. This fairly large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 126 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

UChicago also took the #2 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UChicago is $7,934 for illinois political science students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 100%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 0.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at UChicago

Out of the 34 schools in the Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #3 spot on the list. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is located in Champaign, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 268 ’s political science degrees to qualified students.

UIUC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend UIUC is $13,351 for Illinois Political Science students whose families make $48-$75k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

Read more about Political Science & Government at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Out of the 34 schools in the Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Springfield landed the #4 spot on the list. University of Illinois at Springfield is a small public school situated in Springfield, Illinois. It awarded 41 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

UIS not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Illinois at Springfield is $11,857 for illinois political science students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Chicago. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of Illinois at Chicago is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 78 ’s political science degrees to qualified students.

UIC also took the #12 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UIC is $13,683 for illinois political science students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low student loan default rate of 3.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full UIC Political Science & Government Report

#6

Saint Xavier University

Chicago, Illinois

With a ranking of #6, Saint Xavier University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s political science degrees to 13 students in 2019-2020.

SXU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $14,907 for illinois political science students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend SXU.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Saint Xavier University

#7

Wheaton College Illinois

Wheaton, Illinois

With a ranking of #7, Wheaton College Illinois did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Wheaton, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 17 diplomas to qualified ’s political science students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Wheaton College Illinois, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Wheaton College Illinois is $19,691 for Illinois Political Science students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low student loan default rate of 0.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full Wheaton College Illinois Political Science & Government Report

#8

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois

Eastern Illinois University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Eastern Illinois University is a medium-sized school located in Charleston, Illinois that handed out 40 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

EIU also made our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #20. The yearly cost to attend Eastern Illinois University is $13,560 for illinois political science students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

#9

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois

Northern Illinois University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Northern Illinois University is located in Dekalb, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 91 ’s political science degrees to qualified students.

NIU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $18,346 for Illinois Political Science students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Northern Illinois University.

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

With a ranking of #10, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a fairly large public school situated in Edwardsville, Illinois. It awarded 30 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

SIUE also made our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #19. It costs about $13,705 for Illinois Political Science students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

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

With a ranking of #11, Southern Illinois University Carbondale did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Carbondale, Illinois, this fairly large public school awarded 32 diplomas to qualified ’s political science students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois political science students whose families make $48-$75k list, SIUC has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Southern Illinois University Carbondale is $14,985 for illinois political science students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full SIUC Political Science & Government Report

#12

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois

Illinois State University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Normal, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s political science degrees to 96 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Illinois State, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Illinois State is $19,080 for illinois political science students whose families make $48-$75k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Illinois State

#13

Augustana College

Rock Island, Illinois

Augustana College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #13. Located in Rock Island, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 29 diplomas to qualified ’s political science students in 2019-2020.

Augustana also made our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #7. It costs about $21,453 for Illinois Political Science students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Augustana.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Full Augustana Political Science & Government Report

#14

University of St Francis

Joliet, Illinois

University of St Francis did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #14. Joliet, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s political science degrees to 7 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at University of Saint Francis, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of St Francis is $14,220 for illinois political science students whose families make $48-$75k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at University of Saint Francis

#15

Lake Forest College

Lake Forest, Illinois

Lake Forest College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #15. Lake Forest, Illinois is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s political science degrees to 17 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Lake Forest, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Lake Forest is $24,683 for Illinois Political Science students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low student loan default rate of 2.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Lake Forest College Political Science & Government Report

#16

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois

Western Illinois University landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Western Illinois University is a medium-sized school located in Macomb, Illinois that handed out 26 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

WIU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $15,912 for illinois political science students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend WIU.

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

#17

Knox College

Galesburg, Illinois

Knox College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Galesburg, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 11 degrees to qualified ’s political science students in 2019-2020.

Knox also took the #18 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Knox is $19,653 for illinois political science students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Knox College

#18

Elmhurst University

Elmhurst, Illinois

With a ranking of #18, Elmhurst University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Elmhurst, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 14 diplomas to qualified ’s political science students in 2019-2020.

Elmhurst not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Elmhurst is $19,703 for illinois political science students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low student loan default rate of 3.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Elmhurst

Northeastern Illinois University landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 25 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Northeastern Illinois University is $18,180 for illinois political science students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

#20

Illinois College

Jacksonville, Illinois

Illinois College landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Illinois College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Jacksonville, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 7 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois political science students whose families make $48-$75k list, Illinois College has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Illinois College is $14,942 for illinois political science students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Illinois College

#21

Olivet Nazarene University

Bourbonnais, Illinois

Olivet Nazarene University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #21. Olivet Nazarene is a private not-for-profit institution located in Bourbonnais, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 12 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $17,841 for Illinois Political Science students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Olivet Nazarene.

The low student loan default rate of 3.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Olivet Nazarene

#22

Millikin University

Decatur, Illinois

Millikin University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Decatur, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 3 diplomas to qualified ’s political science students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Millikin University is $20,390 for illinois political science students whose families make $48-$75k.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Millikin

#23

North Central College

Naperville, Illinois

North Central College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #23. North Central College is a small school located in Naperville, Illinois that handed out 17 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

North Central also made our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #11. The yearly cost to attend North Central is $23,353 for illinois political science students whose families make $48-$75k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Political Science & Government at North Central

#24

Dominican University

River Forest, Illinois

Dominican University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #24. Dominican University is a private not-for-profit institution located in River Forest, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 8 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Dominican U also took the #24 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Dominican University is $18,582 for illinois political science students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full Dominican U Political Science & Government Report

#25

Concordia University, Chicago

River Forest, Illinois

With a ranking of #25, Concordia University, Chicago did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in River Forest, Illinois, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 4 degrees to qualified ’s political science students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $17,295 for illinois political science students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Concordia University, Chicago.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Concordia University, 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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