2026 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois
[Political Science & Government](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 43 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value political science & government schools.
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2026 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the political science & government degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Political Science & Government Schools
For return on investment in political science & government, no school beat University Of Illinois At Springfield this year. University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $12,557, while out-of-state students pay about $20,139. Students borrow a median of $25,848 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Springfield generally make around $52,565. That is a strong return on a $25,848 median debt. University Of Illinois At Springfield admits about 86% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Illinois At Chicago one of the best values for political science & government. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $21,761. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $38,363. Set against $21,761 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Western Illinois University earned it the #3 place for political science & government. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,572. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $32,359. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $20,025. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $35,172. That is a strong return on a $20,025 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Illinois University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science & government, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $32,225. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
Augustana College Illinois came in at #6 for value in political science & government this year. Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rock Island. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,598. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Augustana College Illinois generally make around $35,626. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Augustana College Illinois admits about 63% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #7 for value in political science & government this year. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,092. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $31,786 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Eastern Illinois University landed the #8 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,377, while out-of-state students pay about $15,859. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $24,739. Political Science & Government graduates of Eastern Illinois University earn a median of $28,721 early in their careers. Set against $24,739 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned the #9 position for value in political science & government this year. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,334. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $26,171. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $26,635. Set against $26,171 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of Chicago came in at #10 for value in political science & government this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $18,500. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $56,022. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Aurora University earned the #11 position for value in political science & government this year. Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Aurora. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,170. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $24,507. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $51,483. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Illinois State University earned the #12 position for value in political science & government this year. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,410, with out-of-state students paying around $26,058. Students borrow a median of $22,201 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $34,519 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,201 median debt. Illinois State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Elmhurst College came in at #13 for value in political science & government this year. Set in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,955. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $22,400 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Elmhurst College generally make around $51,232. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Roosevelt University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $21,315. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $24,625 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of Roosevelt University earn a median of $36,521 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Benedictine University came in at #15 for value in political science & government this year. Located in the suburb of Lisle, Benedictine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $32,648. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $25,338 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of Benedictine University earn a median of $54,212 early in their careers. Set against $25,338 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Bradley University placed #16 among the best values for political science & government. Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Peoria. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,160. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Bradley University earn a median of $31,902 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bradley University admits about 77% of applicants.
Wheaton College Illinois placed #17 among the best values for political science & government. Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wheaton. Students from in state pay about $45,546 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Wheaton College Illinois generally make around $45,069. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Wheaton College Illinois admits about 87% of applicants.
Northwestern University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,322 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,834 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $54,737 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Lake Forest College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the suburb of Lake Forest, Lake Forest College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,402. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $27,000. Political Science & Government graduates of Lake Forest College earn a median of $34,317 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lake Forest College admits about 57% of applicants.
Depaul University placed #20 among the best values for political science & government. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,405. Students borrow a median of $24,499 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $37,531. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Illinois Wesleyan University placed #21 among the best values for political science & government. Located in the city of Bloomington, Illinois Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $57,704 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,857 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Illinois Wesleyan University earn a median of $50,808 early in their careers. Set against $26,857 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Illinois Wesleyan University admits about 39% of applicants.
Loyola University Chicago earned the #22 position for value in political science & government this year. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $53,710 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $37,007. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 43 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
