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2023 Best Value Colleges for Political Science & Government in the Plains States Region (With Aid)

51 Ranked Colleges
2,307 Degrees Awarded
$16,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Political Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Political Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

Political Science & Government is the 20th most popular major in the country with 49,282 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, political science and government graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $34,387 and had an average of $23,175 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Plains States region, there were 2,307 political science and government graduates with average earnings and debt of $34,104 and $23,948 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Political Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 51 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.

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.

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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 in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid” list to help you make the college 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 the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region political science students with aid.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Political Science & Government in the Plains States Region (With Aid)

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Political Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid. Minneapolis, Minnesota is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s political science degrees to 259 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMN Twin Cities, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $17,878 for Plains States Region Political Science students with aid per year to attend UMN Twin Cities.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at UMN Twin Cities

2

Out of the 51 schools in the Best Value Political Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Missouri - St Louis landed the #2 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Saint Louis, Missouri, and it awarded 39 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UMSL is $12,232 for Plains States Region Political Science students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.6% 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 UMSL Political Science & Government Report

3

Out of the 51 schools in the Best Value Political Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Missouri - Columbia landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Columbia, Missouri, this large public school awarded 134 diplomas to qualified ’s political science students in 2020-2021.

Mizzou did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $16,559 for Plains States Region Political Science students with aid per year to attend Mizzou.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Mizzou Political Science & Government Report

4
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Iowa. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Iowa is a large public school situated in Iowa City, Iowa. It awarded 136 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.

Iowa not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $19,401 for plains states region political science students with aid per year to attend University of Iowa.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at University of Iowa

5

Out of the 51 schools in the Best Value Political Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Iowa State University landed the #5 spot on the list. Iowa State is a large school located in Ames, Iowa that handed out 69 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.

Iowa State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $16,002 for Plains States Region Political Science students with aid per year to attend Iowa State University.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad 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%.

Full Iowa State Political Science & Government Report

6

With a ranking of #6, University of Minnesota - Morris did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. UMN Morris is a public institution located in Morris, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 10 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Minnesota - Morris is $10,529 for plains states region political science students with aid.

The low undergrad 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 University of Minnesota - Morris Political Science & Government Report

7

University of Nebraska at Omaha came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This fairly large school is located in Omaha, Nebraska, and it awarded 74 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend UNOMAHA is $13,914 for Plains States Region Political Science students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Political Science & Government at University of Nebraska at Omaha

8
Truman State crest
Truman State University
Kirksville, Missouri

Truman State University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Truman State is a small public school situated in Kirksville, Missouri. It awarded 32 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Truman State is $12,301 for plains states region political science students with aid.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Truman State Political Science & Government Report

9

University of Northern Iowa landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Northern Iowa is a medium-sized public school situated in Cedar Falls, Iowa. It awarded 33 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.

UNI also took the #17 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UNI is $16,438 for plains states region political science students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full UNI Political Science & Government Report

10

Washington University in St Louis came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This fairly large school is located in Saint Louis, Missouri, and it awarded 94 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region political science students with aid list, WUSTL has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for WUSTL is $26,921 for plains states region political science students with aid.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.1%, which is much lower than the national 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 Washington University in St Louis

11

University of Nebraska - Lincoln did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #11. University of Nebraska - Lincoln is located in Lincoln, Nebraska and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 85 ’s political science degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNL, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Nebraska - Lincoln is $17,013 for Plains States Region Political Science students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% 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 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Political Science & Government at UNL

12
UND crest
University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, North Dakota

University of North Dakota landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of North Dakota is a fairly large public school situated in Grand Forks, North Dakota. It awarded 21 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UND, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $16,966 for plains states region political science students with aid per year to attend UND.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UND Political Science & Government Report

13
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Lawrence, Kansas, this large public school awarded 111 diplomas to qualified ’s political science students in 2020-2021.

KU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $20,257 for plains states region political science students with aid per year to attend University of Kansas.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Political Science & Government at KU

14

University of Minnesota - Duluth landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Duluth, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s political science degrees to 42 students in 2020-2021.

UMN Duluth not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UMN Duluth is $18,505 for Plains States Region Political Science students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% 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 University of Minnesota - Duluth Political Science & Government Report

15

Northwest Missouri State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #15. Northwest is a public institution located in Maryville, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 22 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Northwest Missouri State University is $12,925 for Plains States Region Political Science students with aid.

Full Northwest Missouri State University Political Science & Government Report

16
St. Cloud State University crest
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Saint Cloud State University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, this fairly large public school handed out 39 diplomas to qualified ’s political science students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Saint Cloud State University is $14,581 for Plains States Region Political Science students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Saint Cloud State University Political Science & Government Report

17

University of Missouri - Kansas City ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. UMKC is a public institution located in Kansas City, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 47 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of Missouri - Kansas City is $15,702 for plains states region political science students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UMKC Political Science & Government Report

18
K -State crest
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas

Kansas State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #18. Kansas State University is a large public school situated in Manhattan, Kansas. It awarded 55 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.

K -State also made our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #13. The yearly cost to attend Kansas State University is $18,433 for Plains States Region Political Science students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% 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%.

Read more about Political Science & Government at K -State

19
Southeast Missouri State University crest
Southeast Missouri State University
Cape Girardeau, Missouri

With a ranking of #19, Southeast Missouri State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Cape Girardeau, Missouri is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s political science degrees to 19 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Southeast Missouri State University is $13,568 for Plains States Region Political Science students with aid.

Full Southeast Missouri State University Political Science & Government Report

20

North Dakota State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #20. Located in Fargo, North Dakota, this fairly large public school handed out 25 diplomas to qualified ’s political science students in 2020-2021.

North Dakota State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend North Dakota State University is $16,998 for Plains States Region Political Science students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Political Science & Government at North Dakota State University

21

Minnesota State University - Mankato came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Minnesota State University - Mankato is a fairly large school located in Mankato, Minnesota that handed out 32 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Minnesota State Mankato is $17,159 for plains states region political science students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% 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 Minnesota State Mankato

22

Wichita State University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in Wichita, Kansas, and it awarded 22 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for WSU is $14,859 for Plains States Region Political Science students with aid.

Read more about Political Science & Government at WSU

23

Minnesota State University - Moorhead did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #23. MSU Moorhead is a medium-sized school located in Moorhead, Minnesota that handed out 18 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $17,680 for plains states region political science students with aid per year to attend Minnesota State University - Moorhead.

The low undergrad 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 MSU Moorhead

24
UCM crest
University of Central Missouri
Warrensburg, Missouri

University of Central Missouri landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Central Missouri is a fairly large public school situated in Warrensburg, Missouri. It awarded 21 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of Central Missouri is $14,058 for plains states region political science students with aid.

Read more about Political Science & Government at University of Central Missouri

25
Winona State crest
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota

With a ranking of #25, Winona State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Getting Aid list. Winona State University is a medium-sized school located in Winona, Minnesota that handed out 15 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Winona State University is $17,634 for Plains States Region Political Science students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Winona State

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