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

1

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus earned the #1 spot for value among other political science & government schools in the Great Lakes Region. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Typical student debt for other political science & government graduates is $20,000. Early-career other political science & government graduates make about $39,708. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.

2

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value other political science & government schools. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Typical student debt for other political science & government graduates is $22,000. Other Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $42,063 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.

3

University Of Akron Main Campus
Akron, OH

University Of Akron Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in other political science & government, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,135, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Other Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $25,983 in student loans. Early-career other political science & government graduates make about $26,574. Set against $25,983 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.

4

Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI

Western Michigan University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in other political science & government, landing the #4 spot this year. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. Students from in state pay about $15,987 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,564 to complete the other political science & government program here. Early-career other political science & government graduates make about $38,744. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.

5

Ohio University Main Campus
Athens, OH

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ohio University Main Campus earned it the #5 place for other political science & government. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,158, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,625 to complete the other political science & government program here. Early-career other political science & government graduates make about $38,753. That is a strong return on a $24,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.

6

Ripon College
Ripon, WI

Ripon College placed #6 among the best values for other political science & government. Located in the town of Ripon, Ripon College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,900. Other Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $26,973 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other political science & government degree recipients from Ripon College generally make around $35,385. That is a strong return on a $26,973 median debt. Ripon College admits about 80% of applicants.

7

Ashland University
Ashland, OH

Ashland University landed the #7 spot for other political science & government value this year. Set in the town of Ashland, Ashland University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,210. Typical student debt for other political science & government graduates is $26,738. Early-career other political science & government graduates make about $44,455. That is a strong return on a $26,738 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Cincinnati, OH

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #8 for value in other political science & government this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,363, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. Other Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other political science & government degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $37,360. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.

9

Xavier University
Cincinnati, OH

Xavier University placed #9 among the best values for other political science & government. Located in the city of Cincinnati, Xavier University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $49,425. Other Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career other political science & government graduates make about $41,710. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Xavier University admits about 86% of applicants.