2026 Best Value Political Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

Our analysis ranked Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis the best value for a degree in political science in the Great Lakes Region. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $18,500. Political Science graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $36,535 early in their careers. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.

2

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Political Science graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $39,708 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.

3

University Of Southern Indiana
Evansville, IN

University Of Southern Indiana came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Set in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,066, compared with $22,907 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $21,999. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Southern Indiana generally make around $47,216. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

4

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Students borrow a median of $18,862 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $39,702 early in their careers. Set against $18,862 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.

5

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,761 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $38,363. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.

6

Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne came in at #6 for value in political science this year. Set in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,532, while out-of-state students pay about $22,887. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $24,119. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne generally make around $49,424. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.

7

University Of Illinois At Springfield
Springfield, IL

University Of Illinois At Springfield ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Located in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,557, while out-of-state students pay about $20,139. Students borrow a median of $25,848 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $52,565. That is a strong return on a $25,848 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

8

University Of Michigan Dearborn
Dearborn, MI

University Of Michigan Dearborn landed the #8 spot for political science value this year. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,640, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $23,175. Early-career political science graduates make about $32,266. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 56%.

9

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #9 position for value in political science this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Political Science graduates carry a median of $20,025 in student loans. Political Science graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $35,172 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

10

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $27,000. Early-career political science graduates make about $32,225. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.

11

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington earned the #11 position for value in political science this year. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $17,951 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $32,568. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.

12

Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL

Western Illinois University landed the #12 spot for political science value this year. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,572. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $32,359. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

13

Indiana State University
Terre Haute, IN

Indiana State University landed the #13 spot for political science value this year. Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Terre Haute. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,258, compared with $22,322 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,987 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $33,352. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.

14

Augustana College Illinois
Rock Island, IL

Augustana College Illinois came in at #14 for value in political science this year. Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rock Island. Students from in state pay about $51,598 in tuition and fees. Political Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Augustana College Illinois earn a median of $35,626 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.

15

Youngstown State University
Youngstown, OH

Youngstown State University came in at #15 for value in political science this year. Youngstown State University is a large public school located in the city of Youngstown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,926, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $28,148 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

16

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point
Stevens Point, WI

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earned the #16 position for value in political science this year. Set in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,228, compared with $18,248 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,313 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point generally make around $41,455. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

17

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,092. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $31,786 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.

18

Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, IL

Eastern Illinois University came in at #18 for value in political science this year. Set in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,377, while out-of-state students pay about $15,859. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $24,739. Political Science graduates of Eastern Illinois University earn a median of $28,721 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.

19

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Oshkosh, WI

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh landed the #19 spot for political science value this year. Set in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,532, while out-of-state students pay about $16,446. Political Science graduates carry a median of $25,015 in student loans. Political Science graduates of University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earn a median of $42,366 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.

20

Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University earned the #20 position for value in political science this year. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $23,054. Early-career political science graduates make about $29,080. Set against $23,054 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

21

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #21 spot for political science value this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Political Science graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Political Science graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $42,063 early in their careers. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.

22

University Of Michigan Flint
Flint, MI

University Of Michigan Flint landed the #22 spot for political science value this year. Located in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,236, with out-of-state students paying around $27,790. Students borrow a median of $31,016 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of University Of Michigan Flint earn a median of $51,692 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Flint admits about 70% of applicants.

23

University Of Wisconsin La Crosse
La Crosse, WI

University Of Wisconsin La Crosse landed the #23 spot for political science value this year. Located in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,070 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,517. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse generally make around $35,281. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse admits about 76% of applicants.

24

Wayne State University
Detroit, MI

Wayne State University landed the #24 spot for political science value this year. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. Students from in state pay about $16,159 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,650. Students borrow a median of $23,812 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $30,345 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,812 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

25

Ball State University
Muncie, IN

Ball State University came in at #25 for value in political science this year. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,082, compared with $29,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $25,410. Early-career political science graduates make about $39,755. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.