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2027 Best Political Science & Government Schools in Illinois

21 Colleges in the United States
1,186 Political Science & Government Degrees Awarded
$39,418 Avg Early-Career Salary

Political Science & Government degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their political science & government programs.

For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 21 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for political science & government students pursuing a degree.

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Best Schools for Political Science & Government in Illinois

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall political science & government education in Illinois.

Top Schools in Political Science & Government

1

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. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. University Of Chicago awarded about 105 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $56,022 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete this degree. See the full political science & government program report for University Of Chicago

2

Northwestern University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best political science & government schools. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. About 105 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. Students borrow a median of $16,834 to complete this degree. See the full political science & government program report for Northwestern University

3

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best political science & government schools. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 261 political science & government degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent 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. Students borrow a median of $20,025 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in political science & government from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

4

Wheaton College Illinois is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in political science & government, ranking #4. Located in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 85% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 26 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Wheaton College Illinois in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Wheaton College Illinois generally make around $45,069. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250. See the full political science & government program report for Wheaton College Illinois

5

Loyola University Chicago came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best political science & government schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 146 political science & government degrees were awarded at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from Loyola University Chicago earn around $37,007 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree. Get the full political science & government details for Loyola University Chicago

6

North Park University landed the #6 spot for political science & government this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. About 12 political science & government degrees were awarded at North Park University in the most recent year. Political Science & Government graduates of North Park University earn a median of $51,611 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,360. Read more about the political science & government program at North Park University

7

Illinois State University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best political science & government schools. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. There were roughly 70 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Illinois State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $34,519. Illinois State University graduates carry a median of $22,201 in student loans. See the full political science & government program report for Illinois State University

8
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best political science & government schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 105 political science & government degrees were awarded at Depaul University in the most recent year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from Depaul University earn around $37,531 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,499 to complete this degree. Get the full political science & government details for Depaul University

9

University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best political science & government schools. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates 62% of students within six years. About 85 political science & government degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent year. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $38,363 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,761. Get the full political science & government details for University Of Illinois At Chicago

10

Benedictine University placed #10 among the best political science & government schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Lisle. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. About 11 political science & government degrees were awarded at Benedictine University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Benedictine University generally make around $54,212. Benedictine University graduates carry a median of $25,338 in student loans. See the full political science & government program report for Benedictine University

11
Aurora University crest
Aurora University
Aurora, IL

Aurora University earned the #11 position for political science & government this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Aurora. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. Aurora University awarded about 11 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from Aurora University earn around $51,483 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,507. More information about a degree in political science & government from Aurora University

12

Northern Illinois University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best political science & government schools. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 82 political science & government degrees were awarded at Northern Illinois University in the most recent year. Political Science & Government graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $32,225 early in their careers. Northern Illinois University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in political science & government from Northern Illinois University

13
Lake Forest College crest
Lake Forest College
Lake Forest, IL

Lake Forest College landed the #13 spot for political science & government this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Lake Forest. About 78% of students finish within six years. About 13 political science & government degrees were awarded at Lake Forest College in the most recent year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from Lake Forest College earn around $34,317 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full political science & government program report for Lake Forest College

14

Northeastern Illinois University came in at #14 for political science & government this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Chicago. Northeastern Illinois University graduates 22% of students within six years. There were roughly 18 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Northeastern Illinois University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Northeastern Illinois University generally make around $25,912. Northeastern Illinois University graduates carry a median of $17,550 in student loans. Get the full political science & government details for Northeastern Illinois University

15

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #15 spot for political science & government this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Edwardsville. About 55% of students finish within six years. About 14 political science & government degrees were awarded at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in the most recent year. Political Science & Government graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $31,786 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in political science & government from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

16

Southern Illinois University Carbondale ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best political science & government schools. This large public university is located in the town of Carbondale. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. About 19 political science & government degrees were awarded at Southern Illinois University Carbondale in the most recent year. Political Science & Government graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $26,635 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,171 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in political science & government from Southern Illinois University Carbondale

17

Augustana College Illinois landed the #17 spot for political science & government this year. Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rock Island. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 13 political science & government degrees were awarded at Augustana College Illinois in the most recent year. Political Science & Government graduates of Augustana College Illinois earn a median of $35,626 early in their careers. Augustana College Illinois graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in political science & government from Augustana College Illinois

18

University Of Illinois At Springfield ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best political science & government schools. Located in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public university. About 52% of students finish within six years. About 33 political science & government degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Springfield in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Springfield generally make around $52,565. University Of Illinois At Springfield graduates carry a median of $25,848 in student loans. Read more about the political science & government program at University Of Illinois At Springfield

19

Bradley University landed the #19 spot for political science & government this year. Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Peoria. Bradley University graduates 76% of students within six years. There were roughly 12 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Bradley University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Bradley University generally make around $31,902. Bradley University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in political science & government from Bradley University

20

Western Illinois University earned the #20 position for political science & government this year. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. About 45% of students finish within six years. Western Illinois University awarded about 13 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $32,359 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. See the full political science & government program report for Western Illinois University

21

Eastern Illinois University earned the #21 position for political science & government this year. This large public university is located in the town of Charleston. Eastern Illinois University graduates 47% of students within six years. Eastern Illinois University awarded about 32 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from Eastern Illinois University earn around $28,721 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,739 to complete this degree. Read more about the political science & government program at Eastern Illinois University

View All Political Science & Government Rankings >

Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 21 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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