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

30 Ranked Colleges
212 Degrees Awarded
$28,100 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master's in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid

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 Getting Aid” 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 Getting Aid” ranking analyzed 30 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.

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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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 Getting Aid”.

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. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid

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

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Political Science & Government in the Great Lakes Region (With Aid)

#1

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
#5 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Purdue University - Main Campus. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Purdue is a large school located in West Lafayette, Indiana that handed out 5 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Purdue also made our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #5. Average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue University - Main Campus are $28,794, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Purdue Political Science & Government Report

#6 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 Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #2 spot on the list. UIUC is a public institution located in Champaign, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 4 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UIUC also took 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 some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Political Science & Government Report

#4 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid. 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. 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 full report on Political Science & Government at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid. UW - Madison is a large school located in Madison, Wisconsin that handed out 1 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

UW - Madison 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 University of Wisconsin - Madison are $25,523, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science & Government at UW - Madison

#20 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Illinois at Springfield. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid. University of Illinois at Springfield is a public institution located in Springfield, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 22 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UIS also took the #20 spot 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.

Full UIS Political Science & Government Report

#6

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan
#7 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, Michigan State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. 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 also made our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #7. Average graduate tuition and fees at Michigan State are $37,056, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Michigan State Political Science & Government Report

#17 in overall quality

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Indianapolis, 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.

IUPUI also made our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #17. 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 ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. University of Illinois at Chicago is a large public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 3 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

UIC also made our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #13. 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 UIC

#9

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, Illinois

Eastern Illinois University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #9. 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

#10

Ball State University

Muncie, Indiana
#19 in overall quality

Ball State University landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Ball State University is located in Muncie, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 5 masters’s political science degrees to qualified students.

Ball State also took the #19 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. 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 University

#11

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#1 in overall quality

Northwestern University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Northwestern University is located in Evanston, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 13 masters’s political science degrees to qualified students.

Northwestern also made our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #1. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern University are $56,567, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Northwestern University Political Science & Government Report

#12

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

With a ranking of #12, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and it awarded 1 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

UWM 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 University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee are $25,295, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Political Science & Government at UWM

#9 in overall quality

Ohio State University - Main Campus landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s 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 6 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Ohio State also made our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #9. 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

#14

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, Michigan
#22 in overall quality

Central Michigan University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, this fairly large public school awarded 4 degrees to qualified masters’s political science 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. Average graduate tuition and fees at Central Michigan are $19,359, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Central Michigan

#15

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois
#23 in overall quality

Northern Illinois University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This fairly large school is located in Dekalb, Illinois, and it awarded 2 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree political science students with aid list, NIU has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at NIU are $11,086, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Northern Illinois University

Northeastern Illinois University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Northeastern Illinois University is a medium-sized school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 5 masters’s political science degrees 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 full report on Political Science & Government at Northeastern Illinois University

#17

Wayne State University

Detroit, Michigan
#21 in overall quality

With a ranking of #17, 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 Getting Aid list. Wayne State University is a large public school situated in Detroit, Michigan. It awarded 12 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Wayne State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Wayne State University are $37,215, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Wayne State University

#18

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana
#3 in overall quality

University of Notre Dame landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Notre Dame is a fairly large school located in Notre Dame, Indiana that handed out 8 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Notre Dame also took the #3 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 Notre Dame are $57,522.

Read more about Political Science & Government at University of Notre Dame

#19

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois

Western Illinois University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. This medium-sized school is located in Macomb, Illinois, and it awarded 8 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

WIU also made our “Best Political Science & Government Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #24. Average graduate tuition and fees at Western Illinois University are $11,996, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Western Illinois University Political Science & Government Report

#20

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, Michigan
#14 in overall quality

Western Michigan University landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. WMU is located in Kalamazoo, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 masters’s political science degrees to qualified students.

WMU also took the #14 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 Western Michigan University are $31,355.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at WMU

#8 in overall quality

Miami University - Oxford landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Oxford, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s political science degrees to 11 students in 2019-2020.

Miami University - Oxford did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 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 Miami University - Oxford are $31,697.

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

#22

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois

With a ranking of #22, Illinois State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. 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. Average graduate tuition and fees at Illinois State University are $11,069, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Illinois State University Political Science & Government Report

University of Akron Main Campus landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Akron Main Campus is a fairly large public school situated in Akron, Ohio. It awarded 5 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Akron Main Campus are $15,217.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at University of Akron Main Campus

#11 in overall quality

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. University of Cincinnati - Main Campus is a large school located in Cincinnati, Ohio that handed out 3 masters’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

UC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 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 Cincinnati - Main Campus are $26,644.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at UC

#25 in overall quality

Kent State University at Kent landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Kent State University at Kent is a public institution located in Kent, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 2 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Kent State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 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 Kent State are $21,952.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Kent State

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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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