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2022 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Political Science & Government in the Great Lakes Region (With Aid)

19 Ranked Colleges
120 Degrees Awarded
$34,400 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking - to help you make that 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 the Great Lakes region, there were 5,852 political science and government graduates with average earnings and debt of $32,057 and $23,720 respectively. At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 120 political science and government graduates with average earnings and debt of $74,428 and $121,375 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking analyzed 19 colleges that offered 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.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the political science and government program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” list to help you make the college decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. 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 for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region doctor’s degree political science students with aid.

Top 19 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Political Science & Government in the Great Lakes Region (With Aid)

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid. University of Wisconsin - Madison is a large public school situated in Madison, Wisconsin. It awarded 8 doctorate’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

UW - Madison also took the #5 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Madison are $25,523.

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

#4 in overall quality

Out of the 19 schools in the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, this large public school handed out 14 degrees to qualified doctorate’s political science students in 2019-2020.

U-M also took the #4 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor are $49,548, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Political Science & Government at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

#3

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#6 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Indiana University - Bloomington. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Bloomington, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s political science degrees to 19 students in 2019-2020.

IU Bloomington did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’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 Indiana University - Bloomington are $33,338.

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

#4

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
#7 in overall quality

Out of the 19 schools in the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Purdue University - Main Campus landed the #4 spot on the list. Purdue University - Main Campus is a public institution located in West Lafayette, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 5 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Purdue also took the #7 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue are $28,794, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Purdue University - Main Campus Political Science & Government Report

#8 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid. UIUC is located in Champaign, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 5 doctorate’s political science degrees to qualified students.

UIUC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are $30,083, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#6

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan
#9 in overall quality

Michigan State University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Michigan State is located in East Lansing, Michigan and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 8 doctorate’s political science degrees to qualified students.

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

Read more about Political Science & Government at Michigan State University

#12 in overall quality

University of Illinois at Chicago came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Illinois at Chicago is a large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 3 doctorate’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

UIC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’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 Chicago are $27,036.

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

#8

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#1 in overall quality

Northwestern University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Evanston, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 15 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwestern also took the #1 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern University are $56,567.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Northwestern University

#10 in overall quality

Ohio State University - Main Campus landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Ohio State University - Main Campus is a public institution located in Columbus, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 7 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Ohio State also took the #10 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. 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

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois
#15 in overall quality

With a ranking of #10, Northern Illinois University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in Dekalb, Illinois, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

NIU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at NIU are $11,086.

Full Northern Illinois University Political Science & Government Report

#11

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
#16 in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #11. Milwaukee, Wisconsin is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’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 #16 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee are $25,295, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science & Government at UWM

#12

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana
#2 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, University of Notre Dame did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Notre Dame is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Notre Dame, Indiana. It awarded 10 doctorate’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Notre Dame also made our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #2. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Notre Dame are $57,522.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Notre Dame

#17 in overall quality

Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This fairly large school is located in Carbondale, Illinois, and it awarded 1 doctorate’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

SIUC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at SIUC are $32,928, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Southern Illinois University Carbondale

#14

Wayne State University

Detroit, Michigan
#18 in overall quality

Wayne State University landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Wayne State is a public institution located in Detroit, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Wayne State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. 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

#15

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 Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #15. Located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, this fairly large public school handed out 1 degrees to qualified doctorate’s political science students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree political science students with aid list, WMU has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Western Michigan University are $31,355, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Western Michigan University Political Science & Government Report

#19 in overall quality

With a ranking of #16, Kent State University at Kent did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Kent State is located in Kent, Ohio and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 doctorate’s political science degrees to qualified students.

Kent State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Kent State are $21,952, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Kent State University at Kent

#11 in overall quality

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Cincinnati, Ohio is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s political science degrees to 2 students in 2019-2020.

UC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Cincinnati - Main Campus are $26,644, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Political Science & Government Report

#18

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

University of Chicago ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. UChicago is a fairly large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 11 doctorate’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

UChicago also made our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #3. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Chicago are $61,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science & Government at UChicago

#19

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#13 in overall quality

Loyola University Chicago came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Loyola Chicago is a fairly large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 2 doctorate’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Loyola Chicago also took the #13 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Loyola University Chicago are $19,154, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Loyola 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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