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2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k

30 Ranked Colleges
212 Degrees Awarded
$30,600 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master's in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k

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 $48-$75k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

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 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.

For this year’s “Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, we looked at 30 colleges that offer a degree 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.

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.

More Ways to Rank Political Science & Government Schools

The political science school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k”.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k

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 $48-$75k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Political Science & Government (Income $48-$75k) 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 $48-$75k 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 also took the #1 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern are $56,567, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Northwestern University

#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 $48-$75k 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. Average graduate tuition and fees at UChicago are $61,548, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Chicago Political Science & Government Report

#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 $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, this large public school awarded 6 diplomas to qualified masters’s political science students in 2019-2020.

U-M also took the #4 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at U-M are $49,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science & Government at U-M

#4

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 $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Notre Dame landed the #4 spot on the list. Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit institution located in Notre Dame, Indiana. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 8 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Notre Dame also made our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #3. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Notre Dame are $57,522, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Notre Dame

#5

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
#5 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Purdue University - Main Campus. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k. Purdue University - Main Campus is a public institution located in West Lafayette, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 5 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree political science students whose families make $48-$75k 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 are $28,794.

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

University of Wisconsin - Madison did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #6. UW - Madison is a public institution located in Madison, Wisconsin. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1 masters’s 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. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Madison are $25,523, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#6 in overall quality

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UIUC is a large public school situated in Champaign, Illinois. It awarded 4 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

UIUC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 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 Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are $30,083.

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

#20 in overall quality

University of Illinois at Springfield ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This small school is located in Springfield, Illinois, and it awarded 22 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 $48-$75k 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

#9 in overall quality

Ohio State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #9. Ohio State University - Main Campus is a large school located in Columbus, Ohio that handed out 6 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Ohio State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio State are $37,141, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Ohio State University - Main Campus

#10

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois

Eastern Illinois University 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 $48-$75k ranking. Eastern Illinois University is located in Charleston, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 13 masters’s political science degrees to qualified students.

EIU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 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 Eastern Illinois University are $20,761.

Read more about Political Science & Government at EIU

#17 in overall quality

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. IUPUI is a public institution located in Indianapolis, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 5 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

IUPUI not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis are $26,013, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis 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 $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #12. University of Illinois at Chicago 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIC, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. 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.

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

#13

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan
#7 in overall quality

Michigan State University landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Michigan State University is a large public school situated in East Lansing, Michigan. It awarded 14 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Michigan State, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Michigan State University are $37,056, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Michigan State

#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 $48-$75k ranking. Located in Muncie, Indiana, this large public school awarded 5 diplomas to qualified masters’s political science students in 2019-2020.

Ball State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #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 full report on Political Science & Government at Ball State

#15

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois
#23 in overall quality

With a ranking of #15, 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 $48-$75k list. NIU is a fairly large school located in Dekalb, Illinois that handed out 2 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

NIU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 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 Northern Illinois University are $11,086.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at NIU

#16

Wayne State University

Detroit, Michigan
#21 in overall quality

With a ranking of #16, Wayne 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 $48-$75k list. This large school is located in Detroit, Michigan, and it awarded 12 masters’s political science degrees 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. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Wayne State University are $37,215.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Wayne State University

#17

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 $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #17. 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Central Michigan, the school also landed the #22 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 Central Michigan are $19,359.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Central Michigan University

With a ranking of #18, Case Western Reserve University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Case Western Reserve University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Cleveland, Ohio. It awarded 1 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Case Western also took 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.

Full Case Western Political Science & Government Report

Northeastern Illinois University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s political science degrees to 5 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Northeastern Illinois University are $17,032, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Northeastern Illinois University

#20

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois

Western Illinois University 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 $48-$75k ranking. WIU is located in Macomb, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 8 masters’s political science degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree political science students whose families make $48-$75k list, WIU has also earned the #24 rank 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 Western Illinois University

#21

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1 masters’s political science degrees to qualified students.

UWM 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 UWM are $25,295, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UWM Political Science & Government Report

#22

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois

Illinois State University landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Normal, Illinois, this large public school handed out 9 degrees to qualified masters’s political science students in 2019-2020.

Illinois State also took the #18 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 Illinois State University are $11,069.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Illinois State University

#8 in overall quality

Miami University - Oxford ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Oxford, Ohio, this fairly large public school awarded 11 diplomas to qualified masters’s political science students in 2019-2020.

Miami University - Oxford also took 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 you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#11 in overall quality

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #24. Located in Cincinnati, Ohio, this large public school awarded 3 degrees to qualified masters’s political science students in 2019-2020.

UC also made our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #11. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Cincinnati - Main Campus are $26,644, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at UC

#25

Marquette University

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
#10 in overall quality

Marquette University landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Milwaukee, Wisconsin 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 2 students in 2019-2020.

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

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Marquette University

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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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