2027 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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 21 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for political science & government students.
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2027 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
Our analysis ranked University Of Illinois At Chicago the best value for a degree in political science & government in Illinois. 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, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,761 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $38,363 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,761 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Illinois At Springfield one of the best values for political science & government. University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,557, with out-of-state students paying around $20,139. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $25,848 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Illinois At Springfield earn a median of $52,565 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Chicago came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $56,022. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science & government, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Students borrow a median of $20,025 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $35,172. Set against $20,025 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in political science & government will find it at Eastern Illinois University, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,377, with out-of-state students paying around $15,859. Students borrow a median of $24,739 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Eastern Illinois University earn a median of $28,721 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,739 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Western Illinois University landed the #6 spot for political science & government value this year. 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. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $32,359. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Illinois University earned the #7 position for value in political science & government this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $32,225. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #8 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,334 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,171 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $26,635. Set against $26,171 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.
Northeastern Illinois University earned the #9 position for value in political science & government this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,383 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,726. Students borrow a median of $17,550 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Northeastern Illinois University generally make around $25,912. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
North Park University earned the #10 position for value in political science & government this year. Set in the city of Chicago, North Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $36,710. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $27,360. Political Science & Government graduates of North Park University earn a median of $51,611 early in their careers. Set against $27,360 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Park University admits about 68% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #11 spot for political science & government value this year. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,092. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $31,786. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Aurora University placed #12 among the best values for political science & government. Located in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,170. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $24,507 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $51,483. Set against $24,507 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Illinois State University earned the #13 position for value in political science & government this year. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,410, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $22,201. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $34,519. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Benedictine University placed #14 among the best values for political science & government. Benedictine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lisle. In-state tuition and fees average $32,648. Students borrow a median of $25,338 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $54,212. That is a strong return on a $25,338 median debt. Benedictine University admits about 95% of applicants.
Bradley University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Peoria. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,160. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $31,902. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Augustana College Illinois placed #16 among the best values for political science & government. Located in the city of Rock Island, Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,598. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $35,626. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Wheaton College Illinois placed #17 among the best values for political science & government. Located in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,546. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $23,250. Political Science & Government graduates of Wheaton College Illinois earn a median of $45,069 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wheaton College Illinois admits about 87% of applicants.
Lake Forest College earned the #18 position for value in political science & government this year. Set in the suburb of Lake Forest, Lake Forest College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $56,402 in tuition and fees. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of Lake Forest College earn a median of $34,317 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Northwestern University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,322. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $16,834 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Depaul University earned the #20 position for value in political science & government this year. 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. Set against $24,499 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Loyola University Chicago placed #21 among the best values for political science & government. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $53,710 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $23,250. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $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 ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 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.
