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Featured Political Science Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
BA in Political Science
Gain a solid understanding of American political history, the current political landscape, and the major political parties with this online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.
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Best Schools for Political Science in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall political science education in Illinois.
Top Schools in Political Science
No school ranked higher than University Of Chicago this year for political science. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. University Of Chicago graduates 96% of students within six years. University Of Chicago awarded about 96 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $56,022 early in their careers. University Of Chicago graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans.
See the full political science program report for University Of Chicago
Students looking for a strong political science program will find one at Northwestern University, which ranked #2. Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Evanston. About 95% of students finish within six years. About 90 political science degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $54,737. Students borrow a median of $16,834 to complete this degree.
Read more about the political science program at Northwestern University
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Champaign. About 85% of students finish within six years. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 243 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $35,172 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,025.
Read more about the political science program at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Wheaton College Illinois is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 21 political science degrees were awarded at Wheaton College Illinois in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science program make about $45,069 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250.
Get the full political science details for Wheaton College Illinois
Illinois Wesleyan University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in political science, ranking #5. Set in the city of Bloomington, Illinois Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 14 political science degrees were awarded at Illinois Wesleyan University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Illinois Wesleyan University generally make around $50,808. Typical student debt for the program is $26,857.
Read more about the political science program at Illinois Wesleyan University
Elmhurst College earned the #6 position for political science this year. Elmhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elmhurst. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. About 12 political science degrees were awarded at Elmhurst College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Elmhurst College generally make around $51,232. Typical student debt for the program is $22,400.
Get the full political science details for Elmhurst College
Aurora University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. Located in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 11 political science degrees were awarded at Aurora University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Aurora University generally make around $51,483. Students borrow a median of $24,507 to complete this degree.
Read more about the political science program at Aurora University
Loyola University Chicago came in at #8 for political science this year. Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. There were roughly 140 political science students who graduated with this degree at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of Loyola University Chicago earn a median of $37,007 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree.
See the full political science program report for Loyola University Chicago
Illinois State University came in at #9 for political science this year. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 82 political science degrees were awarded at Illinois State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $34,519. Students borrow a median of $22,201 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in political science from Illinois State University
Depaul University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best political science 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. There were roughly 92 political science students who graduated with this degree at Depaul University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $37,531 in their early career. Depaul University graduates carry a median of $24,499 in student loans.
Get the full political science details for Depaul University
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #11 for political science this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. There were roughly 81 political science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $38,363 early in their careers. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates carry a median of $21,761 in student loans.
See the full political science program report for University Of Illinois At Chicago
Eastern Illinois University came in at #12 for political science this year. Eastern Illinois University is a large public school located in the town of Charleston. About 47% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 35 political science students who graduated with this degree at Eastern Illinois University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $28,721 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,739.
Get the full political science details for Eastern Illinois University
Northern Illinois University placed #13 among the best political science schools. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. About 49% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 59 political science students who graduated with this degree at Northern Illinois University in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $32,225 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in political science from Northern Illinois University
Benedictine University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. Located in the suburb of Lisle, Benedictine University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. Benedictine University awarded about 11 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Benedictine University generally make around $54,212. Typical student debt for the program is $25,338.
Get the full political science details for Benedictine University
Lake Forest College earned the #15 position for political science this year. Lake Forest College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Lake Forest. About 78% of students finish within six years. Lake Forest College awarded about 23 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $34,317 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
See the full political science program report for Lake Forest College
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earned the #16 position for political science this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Edwardsville. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. About 17 political science degrees were awarded at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science program make about $31,786 in their early career. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans.
Read more about the political science program at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Bradley University placed #17 among the best political science schools. Located in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 76% of students finish within six years. About 18 political science degrees were awarded at Bradley University in the most recent year. Students who receive their political science degree from Bradley University earn around $31,902 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
Get the full political science details for Bradley University
Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #18 spot for political science this year. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. Southern Illinois University Carbondale awarded about 20 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn a median of $26,635 early in their careers. Southern Illinois University Carbondale graduates carry a median of $26,171 in student loans.
See the full political science program report for Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Augustana College Illinois ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. Set in the city of Rock Island, Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. About 20 political science degrees were awarded at Augustana College Illinois in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science program make about $35,626 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the political science program at Augustana College Illinois
University Of Illinois At Springfield ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. Set in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. About 47 political science degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Springfield in the most recent year. Political Science graduates of University Of Illinois At Springfield earn a median of $52,565 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,848.
See the full political science program report for University Of Illinois At Springfield
Western Illinois University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. Western Illinois University graduates 45% of students within six years. About 16 political science degrees were awarded at Western Illinois University in the most recent year. Students who receive their political science degree from Western Illinois University earn around $32,359 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
Read more about the political science program at Western Illinois University
Roosevelt University earned the #22 position for political science this year. Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 11 political science degrees were awarded at Roosevelt University in the most recent year. Political Science graduates of Roosevelt University earn a median of $36,521 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,625.
See the full political science program report for Roosevelt University
