2026 Best Political Science 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. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 96 political science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Chicago in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science degree from University Of Chicago earn around $56,022 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Chicago graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Get the full political science details for University Of Chicago

2

Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

Northwestern University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. About 90 political science degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. Political Science graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $54,737 early in their careers. Northwestern University graduates carry a median of $16,834 in student loans. See the full political science program report for Northwestern University

3

University Of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN

University Of Notre Dame is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Notre Dame. University Of Notre Dame graduates 95% of students within six years. There were roughly 147 political science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Notre Dame in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science degree from University Of Notre Dame earn around $55,316 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete this degree. See the full political science program report for University Of Notre Dame

4

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

A rank of #4 makes University Of Michigan Ann Arbor one of the top schools for political science. This very large public university is located in the city of Ann Arbor. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 255 political science degrees were awarded at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science 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 program report for University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

5

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates 90% of students within six years. There were roughly 265 political science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $42,063. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the political science program at University Of Wisconsin Madison

6

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus landed the #6 spot for political science this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. About 83% of students finish within six years. Purdue University Main Campus awarded about 184 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $39,708. Typical student debt for the program is $20,000. See the full political science program report for Purdue University Main Campus

7

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #7 position for political science this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 243 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $35,172. Students borrow a median of $20,025 to complete this degree. See the full political science program report for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

8

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. There were roughly 141 political science students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science degree from Michigan State University earn around $39,514 in the first couple years of their career. Michigan State University graduates carry a median of $22,576 in student loans. Read more about the political science program at Michigan State University

9

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington earned the #9 position for political science this year. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. Indiana University Bloomington awarded about 98 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $32,568 early in their careers. Indiana University Bloomington graduates carry a median of $17,951 in student loans. See the full political science program report for Indiana University Bloomington

10

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. 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 degrees were awarded at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science 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. See the full political science program report for Ohio State University Main Campus

11

Wheaton College Illinois
Wheaton, IL

Wheaton College Illinois placed #11 among the best political science schools. Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wheaton. About 85% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 21 political science students who graduated with this degree at Wheaton College Illinois in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Wheaton College Illinois generally make around $45,069. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree. Get the full political science details for Wheaton College Illinois

12

Miami University Oxford
Oxford, OH

Miami University Oxford landed the #12 spot for political science this year. Set in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a large public institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 139 political science students who graduated with this degree at Miami University Oxford in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Miami University Oxford generally make around $46,428. Miami University Oxford graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Get the full political science details for Miami University Oxford

13

Kenyon College
Gambier, OH

Kenyon College placed #13 among the best political science schools. Set in the rural area of Gambier, Kenyon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. About 30 political science degrees were awarded at Kenyon College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Kenyon College generally make around $39,550. Kenyon College graduates carry a median of $18,354 in student loans. See the full political science program report for Kenyon College

14

University Of Dayton
Dayton, OH

University Of Dayton placed #14 among the best political science schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Dayton. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. About 34 political science degrees were awarded at University Of Dayton in the most recent year. Students who receive their political science degree from University Of Dayton earn around $56,077 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Dayton graduates carry a median of $25,747 in student loans. Get the full political science details for University Of Dayton

15

Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI

Marquette University came in at #15 for political science this year. Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Milwaukee. About 83% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 52 political science students who graduated with this degree at Marquette University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science degree from Marquette University earn around $38,225 in the first couple years of their career. Marquette University graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. See the full political science program report for Marquette University

16

Illinois Wesleyan University
Bloomington, IL

Illinois Wesleyan University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. Set in the city of Bloomington, Illinois Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. Illinois Wesleyan University awarded about 14 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $50,808 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,857 to complete this degree. Get the full political science details for Illinois Wesleyan University

17

Cedarville University
Cedarville, OH

Cedarville University landed the #17 spot for political science this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Cedarville. Cedarville University graduates 72% of students within six years. Cedarville University awarded about 12 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science degree from Cedarville University earn around $57,104 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,110 to complete this degree. Read more about the political science program at Cedarville University

18

Elmhurst College
Elmhurst, IL

Elmhurst College landed the #18 spot for political science this year. Located in the suburb of Elmhurst, Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. Elmhurst College awarded about 12 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Elmhurst College generally make around $51,232. Elmhurst College graduates carry a median of $22,400 in student loans. More information about a degree in political science from Elmhurst College

19

Butler University
Indianapolis, IN

Butler University came in at #19 for political science this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Butler University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. About 24 political science degrees were awarded at Butler University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Butler University generally make around $68,222. Typical student debt for the program is $25,351. See the full political science program report for Butler University

20

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Cincinnati, OH

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #20 among the best political science schools. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. About 84 political science degrees were awarded at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $37,360. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete this degree. See the full political science program report for University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

21

Aurora University
Aurora, IL

Aurora University landed the #21 spot for political science this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Aurora. Aurora University graduates 60% of students within six years. Aurora University awarded about 11 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of Aurora University earn a median of $51,483 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,507. Get the full political science details for Aurora University

22

Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL

Loyola University Chicago placed #22 among the best political science schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit university. Loyola University Chicago graduates 75% of students within six years. About 140 political science degrees were awarded at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science program make about $37,007 in their early career. Loyola University Chicago graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. See the full political science program report for Loyola University Chicago

23

Xavier University
Cincinnati, OH

Xavier University landed the #23 spot for political science 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 19 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $41,710 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. Read more about the political science program at Xavier University

24

Illinois State University
Normal, IL

Illinois State University earned the #24 position for political science this year. 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 degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $34,519 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,201. Read more about the political science program at Illinois State University

25

University Of Southern Indiana
Evansville, IN

University Of Southern Indiana ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. Set in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. There were roughly 15 political science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern Indiana in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of University Of Southern Indiana earn a median of $47,216 early in their careers. University Of Southern Indiana graduates carry a median of $21,999 in student loans. Get the full political science details for University Of Southern Indiana