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2022 Best Value Colleges for Political Science & Government (Income $75-$110k) in Illinois

33 Ranked Colleges
1,532 Degrees Awarded
$21,200 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this 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 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 $75-$110k” ranking analyzed 33 colleges that offered a degree 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 in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

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. 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 in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Political Science & Government (Income $75-$110k) 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 $75-$110k list. Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Evanston, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 149 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois political science students whose families make $75-$110k list, Northwestern has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Northwestern University is $16,784 for Illinois Political Science students whose families make $75-$110k.

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. The student loan default rate at the school is 0.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Northwestern

#2

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Chicago. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s political science degrees to 126 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois political science students whose families make $75-$110k list, UChicago has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Chicago is $17,929 for illinois political science students whose families make $75-$110k.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 100%. 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%.

Read more about Political Science & Government at UChicago

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Springfield. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. University of Illinois at Springfield is a public institution located in Springfield, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 41 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UIS also made our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #16. The estimated yearly cost for UIS is $17,342 for illinois political science students whose families make $75-$110k.

Full University of Illinois at Springfield Political Science & Government Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. This large school is located in Champaign, Illinois, and it awarded 268 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

UIUC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $21,998 for illinois political science students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend UIUC.

The low student loan default rate of 2.4% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at UIUC

#5

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northern Illinois University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k. This fairly large school is located in Dekalb, Illinois, and it awarded 91 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois political science students whose families make $75-$110k list, NIU has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend NIU is $21,425 for Illinois Political Science students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Northern Illinois University

#6

Saint Xavier University

Chicago, Illinois

Saint Xavier University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. 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.

In addition to being on our illinois political science students whose families make $75-$110k list, SXU has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $18,457 for illinois political science students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend SXU.

Full SXU Political Science & Government Report

#7

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois

With a ranking of #7, Eastern Illinois University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. Eastern Illinois University is a medium-sized public school situated in Charleston, Illinois. It awarded 40 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

EIU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $19,147 for illinois political science students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Eastern Illinois University.

Full Eastern Illinois University Political Science & Government Report

With a ranking of #8, University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. UIC is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 78 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIC, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $20,270 for illinois political science students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend University of Illinois at Chicago.

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%.

Full UIC Political Science & Government Report

#9

Wheaton College Illinois

Wheaton, Illinois

With a ranking of #9, Wheaton College Illinois did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in Wheaton, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 17 degrees to qualified ’s political science students in 2019-2020.

Wheaton College Illinois not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $24,299 for Illinois Political Science students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Wheaton College Illinois.

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. With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Wheaton College Illinois

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is located in Edwardsville, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 30 ’s political science degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our illinois political science students whose families make $75-$110k list, SIUE has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SIUE is $18,928 for illinois political science students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at SIUE

Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a fairly large public school situated in Carbondale, Illinois. It awarded 32 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois political science students whose families make $75-$110k 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 $20,698 for illinois political science students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at SIUC

#12

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois

With a ranking of #12, Western Illinois University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. WIU is located in Macomb, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 26 ’s political science degrees to qualified students.

WIU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Western Illinois University is $20,181 for Illinois Political Science students whose families make $75-$110k.

Full Western Illinois University Political Science & Government Report

#13

University of St Francis

Joliet, Illinois

University of St Francis came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Located in Joliet, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 7 diplomas to qualified ’s political science students in 2019-2020.

University of Saint Francis did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $20,629 for Illinois Political Science students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend University of St Francis.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Political Science & Government at University of Saint Francis

Northeastern Illinois University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #14. Northeastern Illinois University is a medium-sized public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 25 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $22,526 for illinois political science students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Northeastern Illinois University.

Full Northeastern Illinois University Political Science & Government Report

#15

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois

Illinois State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #15. Illinois State is a large school located in Normal, Illinois that handed out 96 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Illinois State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Illinois State is $25,379 for illinois political science students whose families make $75-$110k.

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

#16

Concordia University, Chicago

River Forest, Illinois

Concordia University, Chicago came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Concordia University, Chicago is a medium-sized school located in River Forest, Illinois that handed out 4 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $17,820 for illinois political science students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Concordia University, Chicago.

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

#17

Dominican University

River Forest, Illinois

With a ranking of #17, Dominican University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. Dominican University is located in River Forest, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 8 ’s political science degrees to qualified students.

Dominican U not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Dominican U is $21,979 for illinois political science students whose families make $75-$110k.

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 full report on Political Science & Government at Dominican U

#18

Millikin University

Decatur, Illinois

Millikin University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Located in Decatur, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 3 diplomas to qualified ’s political science students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Millikin University is $23,486 for illinois political science students whose families make $75-$110k.

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 full report on Political Science & Government at Millikin

#19

McKendree University

Lebanon, Illinois

McKendree University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #19. This small school is located in Lebanon, Illinois, and it awarded 7 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend McKendree is $23,434 for Illinois Political Science students whose families make $75-$110k.

Full McKendree Political Science & Government Report

#20

Augustana College

Rock Island, Illinois

Augustana College landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. This small school is located in Rock Island, Illinois, and it awarded 29 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Augustana also made our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #7. The estimated yearly cost for Augustana is $23,730 for Illinois Political Science students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.

Full Augustana College Political Science & Government Report

#21

Knox College

Galesburg, Illinois

Knox College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #21. This small school is located in Galesburg, Illinois, and it awarded 11 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Knox, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Knox College is $23,813 for Illinois Political Science students whose families make $75-$110k.

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%. 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 full report on Political Science & Government at Knox

#22

Illinois College

Jacksonville, Illinois

Illinois College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #22. Illinois College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Jacksonville, Illinois. It awarded 7 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Illinois College also took the #23 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $19,711 for Illinois Political Science students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Illinois College.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Illinois College

#23

Elmhurst University

Elmhurst, Illinois

Elmhurst University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. Elmhurst is a private not-for-profit institution located in Elmhurst, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 14 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Elmhurst did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $23,604 for illinois political science students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Elmhurst.

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 full report on Political Science & Government at Elmhurst University

#24

Olivet Nazarene University

Bourbonnais, Illinois

Olivet Nazarene University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. Olivet Nazarene is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Bourbonnais, Illinois. It awarded 12 ’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $21,306 for Illinois Political Science students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Olivet Nazarene.

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%.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Olivet Nazarene University

#25

North Central College

Naperville, Illinois

North Central College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. North Central is located in Naperville, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 17 ’s political science degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our illinois political science students whose families make $75-$110k list, North Central has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for North Central College is $25,778 for illinois political science students whose families make $75-$110k.

The low student loan default rate of 3.9% 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 North Central College 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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