2026 Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

Leading the list is University Of Chicago, our #1 school for political science & government. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 96% of students finish within six years. University Of Chicago awarded about 96 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $56,022. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete this degree. Get the full political science & government details for University Of Chicago

2

Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

Northwestern University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in political science & government, ranking #2. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. About 95% of students finish within six years. About 90 political science & government degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $54,737. Typical student debt for the program is $16,834. See the full political science & government program report for Northwestern University

3

University Of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN

Students looking for a strong political science & government program will find one at University Of Notre Dame, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. About 147 political science & government degrees were awarded at University Of Notre Dame in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $55,316 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,000. Get the full political science & government details for University Of Notre Dame

4

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best political science & government schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Ann Arbor. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. There were roughly 255 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $39,702. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates carry a median of $18,862 in student loans. See the full political science & government program report for University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

5

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in political science & government, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 288 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from University Of Wisconsin Madison earn around $42,063 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,000. Read more about the political science & government program at University Of Wisconsin Madison

6

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus earned the #6 position for political science & government this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. There were roughly 185 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $39,708 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,000. More information about a degree in political science & government from Purdue University Main Campus

7

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best political science & government schools. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 243 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn around $35,172 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $20,025 in student loans. See the full political science & government program report for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

8

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University landed the #8 spot for political science & government this year. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. Michigan State University awarded about 141 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $39,514 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,576 to complete this degree. See the full political science & government program report for Michigan State University

9

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington came in at #9 for political science & government this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Bloomington. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. There were roughly 98 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from Indiana University Bloomington earn around $32,568 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,951. More information about a degree in political science & government from Indiana University Bloomington

10

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #10 spot for political science & government this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. About 300 political science & government degrees were awarded at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $35,977. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in political science & government from Ohio State University Main Campus

11

Wheaton College Illinois
Wheaton, IL

Wheaton College Illinois landed the #11 spot for political science & government this year. Set in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. Wheaton College Illinois awarded about 21 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from Wheaton College Illinois earn around $45,069 in the first couple years of their career. Wheaton College Illinois graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. More information about a degree in political science & government from Wheaton College Illinois

12

Miami University Oxford
Oxford, OH

Miami University Oxford placed #12 among the best political science & government schools. Located in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a large public university. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. Miami University Oxford awarded about 139 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of Miami University Oxford earn a median of $46,428 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the political science & government program at Miami University Oxford

13

Kenyon College
Gambier, OH

Kenyon College earned the #13 position for political science & government this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Gambier. About 82% of students finish within six years. Kenyon College awarded about 30 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $39,550 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,354 to complete this degree. Read more about the political science & government program at Kenyon College

14

University Of Dayton
Dayton, OH

University Of Dayton ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best political science & government schools. Set in the city of Dayton, University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 34 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at University Of Dayton in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Dayton generally make around $56,077. University Of Dayton graduates carry a median of $25,747 in student loans. Get the full political science & government details for University Of Dayton

15

Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI

Marquette University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best political science & government schools. Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Milwaukee. Marquette University graduates 83% of students within six years. There were roughly 52 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Marquette University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from Marquette University earn around $38,225 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete this degree. See the full political science & government program report for Marquette University

16

Illinois Wesleyan University
Bloomington, IL

Illinois Wesleyan University came in at #16 for political science & government this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Illinois Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit university. Illinois Wesleyan University graduates 75% of students within six years. Illinois Wesleyan University awarded about 14 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $50,808 in their early career. Illinois Wesleyan University graduates carry a median of $26,857 in student loans. See the full political science & government program report for Illinois Wesleyan University

17

Cedarville University
Cedarville, OH

Cedarville University came in at #17 for political science & government this year. Cedarville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Cedarville. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. About 12 political science & government degrees were awarded at Cedarville University in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $57,104 in their early career. Cedarville University graduates carry a median of $22,110 in student loans. Read more about the political science & government program at Cedarville University

18

Elmhurst College
Elmhurst, IL

Elmhurst College came in at #18 for political science & government this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Elmhurst. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 political science & government degrees were awarded at Elmhurst College in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $51,232 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,400 to complete this degree. Get the full political science & government details for Elmhurst College

19

Butler University
Indianapolis, IN

Butler University landed the #19 spot for political science & government this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Butler University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Butler University graduates 79% of students within six years. There were roughly 24 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Butler University in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of Butler University earn a median of $68,222 early in their careers. Butler University graduates carry a median of $25,351 in student loans. Get the full political science & government details for Butler University

20

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Cincinnati, OH

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best political science & government schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Cincinnati. About 74% of students finish within six years. About 97 political science & government degrees were awarded at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $37,360. Typical student debt for the program is $24,000. Get the full political science & government details for University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

21

Taylor University
Upland, IN

Taylor University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best political science & government schools. Set in the rural area of Upland, Taylor University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. Taylor University awarded about 11 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of Taylor University earn a median of $45,090 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,832 to complete this degree. See the full political science & government program report for Taylor University

22

Aurora University
Aurora, IL

Aurora University earned the #22 position for political science & government this year. Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Aurora. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. About 11 political science & government degrees were awarded at Aurora University in the most recent year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from Aurora University earn around $51,483 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,507 to complete this degree. See the full political science & government program report for Aurora University

23

Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL

Loyola University Chicago landed the #23 spot for political science & government this year. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. Loyola University Chicago awarded about 140 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $37,007 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree. See the full political science & government program report for Loyola University Chicago

24

Xavier University
Cincinnati, OH

Xavier University came in at #24 for political science & government this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, Xavier University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Xavier University awarded about 57 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $41,710 in their early career. Xavier University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in political science & government from Xavier University

25

Illinois State University
Normal, IL

Illinois State University placed #25 among the best political science & government schools. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. Illinois State University awarded about 82 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $34,519 in their early career. Illinois State University graduates carry a median of $22,201 in student loans. Get the full political science & government details for Illinois State University