2026 Best Value Political Science & Government 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 & government in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, compared with $34,891 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $18,500. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $36,535. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

2

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

A rank of #2 makes Purdue University Main Campus one of the best values for political science & government. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $20,000. Political Science & Government graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $39,708 early in their careers. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. 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 & government schools. Located in the suburb of Evansville, University Of Southern Indiana is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,066 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,907 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $21,999. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Southern Indiana earn a median of $47,216 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,999 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.

4

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

A rank of #4 makes University Of Michigan Ann Arbor one of the best values for political science & government. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $18,862 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $39,702. Set against $18,862 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%.

5

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

Students looking for strong value in political science & government will find it at University Of Illinois At Chicago, which ranked #5. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Students borrow a median of $21,761 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $38,363. That is a strong return on a $21,761 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

6

Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,532 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,887 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,119 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne generally make around $49,424. Set against $24,119 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne admits about 84% of applicants.

7

University Of Illinois At Springfield
Springfield, IL

University Of Illinois At Springfield came in at #7 for value in political science & government this year. Set in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,557 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,139. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $25,848 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Springfield generally make around $52,565. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.

8

University Of Michigan Dearborn
Dearborn, MI

University Of Michigan Dearborn ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,640, with out-of-state students paying around $32,896. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $23,175 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Michigan Dearborn earn a median of $32,266 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,175 median debt. University Of Michigan Dearborn admits about 56% of applicants.

9

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #9 spot for political science & government value this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Students borrow a median of $20,025 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $35,172 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,025 median debt. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.

10

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $32,225. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 70%.

11

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington landed the #11 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $17,951. Political Science & Government graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $32,568 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,951 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

12

Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL

Western Illinois University placed #12 among the best values for political science & government. 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 & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $32,359. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.

13

Indiana State University
Terre Haute, IN

Indiana State University came in at #13 for value in political science & government this year. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,258, compared with $22,322 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,987 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $33,352. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

14

Augustana College Illinois
Rock Island, IL

Augustana College Illinois landed the #14 spot for political science & government value 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. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $35,626. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.

15

Youngstown State University
Youngstown, OH

Youngstown State University came in at #15 for value in political science & government this year. Set in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,926, compared with $10,286 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $28,148. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.

16

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point
Stevens Point, WI

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,228 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,248 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $21,313. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earn a median of $41,455 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

17

Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, IL

Eastern Illinois University came in at #17 for value in political science & government this year. Set in the town of Charleston, Eastern Illinois University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,377 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,859 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $24,739. Soon after graduation, political science & government 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.

18

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville placed #18 among the best values for political science & government. 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. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $24,250. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville generally make around $31,786. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville admits about 98% of applicants.

19

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh
Oshkosh, WI

University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh landed the #19 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the city of Oshkosh, University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,532, while out-of-state students pay about $16,446. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $25,015 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh earn a median of $42,366 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,015 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

20

Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University placed #20 among the best values for political science & government. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,167, while out-of-state students pay about $24,735. Students borrow a median of $23,054 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $29,080. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.

21

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #21 for value in political science & government this year. 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 political science & government graduates is $22,000. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $42,063. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

22

University Of Michigan Flint
Flint, MI

University Of Michigan Flint came in at #22 for value in political science & government this year. Set in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,236, compared with $27,790 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,016 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Michigan Flint generally make around $51,692. 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 & government value this year. Set in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,070, while out-of-state students pay about $19,517. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse generally make around $35,281. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

24

Wayne State University
Detroit, MI

Wayne State University earned the #24 position for value in political science & government this year. Wayne State University is a very large public school located in the city of Detroit. In-state tuition and fees average $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $23,812 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $30,345 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

25

Ball State University
Muncie, IN

Ball State University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,082, while out-of-state students pay about $29,630. Students borrow a median of $25,410 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $39,755. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.