2026 Best Value Political Science Schools in Illinois

1

University Of Illinois At Springfield
Springfield, IL

Leading the list is University Of Illinois At Springfield, our #1 best value for political science in Illinois. Set in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,557, with out-of-state students paying around $20,139. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $25,848. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Springfield generally make around $52,565. That is a strong return on a $25,848 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

2

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Chicago earned it the #2 place for political science. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $21,761. Political Science graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $38,363 early in their careers. Set against $21,761 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.

3

Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL

Western Illinois University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,572. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of Western Illinois University earn a median of $32,359 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

4

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned it the #4 place for political science. 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 program here. Soon after graduation, political science 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. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.

5

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #5 spot this year. 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. Political Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $32,225 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.

6

Augustana College Illinois
Rock Island, IL

Augustana College Illinois placed #6 among the best values for political science. Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rock Island. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,598. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $27,000. Early-career political science graduates make about $35,626. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.

7

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. 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. Political Science graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $31,786. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville admits about 98% of applicants.

8

Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, IL

Eastern Illinois University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,377, compared with $15,859 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $24,739 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Eastern Illinois University generally make around $28,721. Set against $24,739 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.

9

Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Carbondale, IL

Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #9 for value in political science this year. Located in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,334. Political Science graduates carry a median of $26,171 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $26,635 early in their careers. Set against $26,171 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.

10

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Chicago landed the #10 spot for political science value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Political Science graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $56,022. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

11

Aurora University
Aurora, IL

Aurora University earned the #11 position for value in political science this year. Located in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $29,170. Political Science graduates carry a median of $24,507 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Aurora University earn a median of $51,483 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

12

Illinois State University
Normal, IL

Illinois State University placed #12 among the best values for political science. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,410, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,201 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $34,519. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Illinois State University admits about 88% of applicants.

13

Elmhurst College
Elmhurst, IL

Elmhurst College earned the #13 position for value in political science this year. Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elmhurst. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,955. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $22,400. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Elmhurst College generally make around $51,232. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

14

Roosevelt University
Chicago, IL

Roosevelt University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,315. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $24,625. Early-career political science graduates make about $36,521. That is a strong return on a $24,625 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

15

Benedictine University
Lisle, IL

Benedictine University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Located in the suburb of Lisle, Benedictine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $32,648 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,338 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of Benedictine University earn a median of $54,212 early in their careers. Set against $25,338 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

16

Bradley University
Peoria, IL

Bradley University earned the #16 position for value in political science this year. Located in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $42,160. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $31,902. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.

17

Wheaton College Illinois
Wheaton, IL

Wheaton College Illinois earned the #17 position for value in political science this year. Set in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,546. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $23,250. Political Science 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. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

18

Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

Northwestern University landed the #18 spot for political science value this year. 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. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $16,834. Early-career political science graduates make about $54,737. Set against $16,834 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 8%.

19

Lake Forest College
Lake Forest, IL

Lake Forest College landed the #19 spot for political science value this year. Lake Forest College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lake Forest. Students from in state pay about $56,402 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $34,317. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.

20

Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University placed #20 among the best values for political science. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $45,405. Students borrow a median of $24,499 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $37,531 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.

21

Illinois Wesleyan University
Bloomington, IL

Illinois Wesleyan University earned the #21 position for value in political science this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Illinois Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,704. Students borrow a median of $26,857 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Illinois Wesleyan University generally make around $50,808. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Illinois Wesleyan University admits about 39% of applicants.

22

Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL

Loyola University Chicago placed #22 among the best values for political science. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,710. Political Science graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $37,007. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.