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2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region

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

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

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 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” ranking analyzed 19 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.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the political science and government program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Political Science & Government Schools

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region.

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

Out of the 19 schools in the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #1 spot on the list. University of Wisconsin - Madison is a large school located in Madison, Wisconsin that handed out 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. 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

#2

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois
#15 in overall quality

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

NIU also made our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #15. 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.

Full Northern Illinois University Political Science & Government Report

#3

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
#7 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Purdue University - Main Campus. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region list. This large school is located in West Lafayette, Indiana, and it awarded 5 doctorate’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Purdue not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue are $28,794, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Purdue

#4

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#13 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Loyola University Chicago. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region list. This fairly large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Loyola Chicago not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Loyola University Chicago are $19,154, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Loyola University Chicago Political Science & Government Report

#5

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 #5 on our 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Bloomington, Indiana, this large public school awarded 19 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 list, IU Bloomington has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - Bloomington are $33,338, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at IU Bloomington

#8 in overall quality

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #6. Champaign, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s political science degrees to 5 students in 2019-2020.

UIUC also took the #8 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 Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are $30,083, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

#11 in overall quality

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking. UC is a public institution located in Cincinnati, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #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

#12 in overall quality

With a ranking of #8, University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region list. UIC is a large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 3 doctorate’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

UIC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #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 UIC are $27,036.

Full University of Illinois at Chicago Political Science & Government Report

#19 in overall quality

Kent State University at Kent landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This large school is located in Kent, Ohio, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Kent State also took the #19 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Kent State are $21,952, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Kent State

#10

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
#16 in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, this large public school awarded 1 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s political science students in 2019-2020.

UWM not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. 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 University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

#11

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan
#9 in overall quality

With a ranking of #11, Michigan State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region list. This large school is located in East Lansing, Michigan, and it awarded 8 doctorate’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

Michigan State also took the #9 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Michigan State University are $37,056, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Michigan State

#12

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, Michigan
#14 in overall quality

Western Michigan University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region list. Western Michigan University is a public institution located in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

WMU also made our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #14. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at WMU are $31,355.

Full WMU Political Science & Government Report

#10 in overall quality

Ohio State University - Main Campus came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Ohio State University - Main Campus is a large school located in Columbus, Ohio that handed out 7 doctorate’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree political science students list, Ohio State has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio State University - Main Campus are $37,141, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Ohio State

#17 in overall quality

Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is located in Carbondale, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1 doctorate’s political science degrees to qualified students.

SIUC also took the #17 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at SIUC are $32,928, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Southern Illinois University Carbondale

#15

Wayne State University

Detroit, Michigan
#18 in overall quality

Wayne State University landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Detroit, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s political science degrees to 3 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region doctor’s degree political science students list, Wayne State has also earned the #18 rank 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 Wayne State University are $37,215.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Wayne State

#16

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, Michigan
#4 in overall quality

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region ranking. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is a large public school situated in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It awarded 14 doctorate’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

U-M did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor are $49,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Political Science & Government at U-M

#17

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, Indiana
#2 in overall quality

With a ranking of #17, University of Notre Dame did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Notre Dame, Indiana, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 10 degrees to qualified doctorate’s political science students 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 Notre Dame are $57,522.

Read more about Political Science & Government at Notre Dame

#18

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#1 in overall quality

Northwestern University landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Political Science Schools for a Doctorate in the Great Lakes Region 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 did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 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 Northwestern University are $56,567.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at Northwestern

#19

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

University of 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 ranking. UChicago is a fairly large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 11 doctorate’s political science degrees in 2019-2020.

UChicago did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Political Science & Government Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UChicago are $61,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Political Science & Government at UChicago

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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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