ADBLOCK #102
College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Political Science & Government Schools in the Great Lakes Region

84 Colleges in the United States
4,150 Political Science & Government Degrees Awarded
$39,314 Avg Early-Career Salary

Political Science & Government degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 181 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best political science & government schools.

What’s on this page:

ADBLOCK #159
DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 3
DEBUG: Specific major detected (cip4 = 45.10), keeping min_relevance at 0.8
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.8, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "BA in Political Science" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "BA in Political Science" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Science & Engineering Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Science & Engineering Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Science & Engineering Diploma Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Science & Engineering Diploma Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 1
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 0 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.8
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 0
DEBUG: No ESYOH offers, checking direct offers

Best Schools for Political Science & Government in the Great Lakes Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall political science & government education in the Great Lakes Region.

Top Schools in Political Science & Government

1

Leading the list is University Of Chicago, our #1 school for political science & government. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 96% of students finish within six years. University Of Chicago awarded about 96 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $56,022. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete this degree. Get the full political science & government details for University Of Chicago

2

Northwestern University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in political science & government, ranking #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 & government degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $54,737. Typical student debt for the program is $16,834. See the full political science & government program report for Northwestern University

3

Students looking for a strong political science & government program will find one at University Of Notre Dame, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Notre Dame, University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. About 147 political science & government degrees were awarded at University Of Notre Dame in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $55,316 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,000. Get the full political science & government details for University Of Notre Dame

4

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best political science & government schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Ann Arbor. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. There were roughly 255 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government 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 & government program report for University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

5

University Of Wisconsin Madison is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in political science & government, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 288 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from University Of Wisconsin Madison earn around $42,063 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,000. Read more about the political science & government program at University Of Wisconsin Madison

6
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus earned the #6 position for political science & government this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. There were roughly 185 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $39,708 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,000. More information about a degree in political science & government from Purdue University Main Campus

7

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best political science & government schools. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 243 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn around $35,172 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $20,025 in student loans. See the full political science & government program report for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

8
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University landed the #8 spot for political science & government this year. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. Michigan State University awarded about 141 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $39,514 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,576 to complete this degree. See the full political science & government program report for Michigan State University

9

Indiana University Bloomington came in at #9 for political science & government this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Bloomington. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. There were roughly 98 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from Indiana University Bloomington earn around $32,568 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,951. More information about a degree in political science & government from Indiana University Bloomington

10

Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #10 spot for political science & government this year. 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 & government degrees were awarded at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science & government 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. More information about a degree in political science & government from Ohio State University Main Campus

11

Wheaton College Illinois landed the #11 spot for political science & government this year. Set in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. Wheaton College Illinois awarded about 21 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from Wheaton College Illinois earn around $45,069 in the first couple years of their career. Wheaton College Illinois graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. More information about a degree in political science & government from Wheaton College Illinois

12

Miami University Oxford placed #12 among the best political science & government schools. Located in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a large public university. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. Miami University Oxford awarded about 139 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of Miami University Oxford earn a median of $46,428 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the political science & government program at Miami University Oxford

13
Kenyon College crest
Kenyon College
Gambier, OH

Kenyon College earned the #13 position for political science & government this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Gambier. About 82% of students finish within six years. Kenyon College awarded about 30 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $39,550 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,354 to complete this degree. Read more about the political science & government program at Kenyon College

14

University Of Dayton ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best political science & government schools. Set in the city of Dayton, University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 34 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at University Of Dayton in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Dayton generally make around $56,077. University Of Dayton graduates carry a median of $25,747 in student loans. Get the full political science & government details for University Of Dayton

15
Marquette University crest
Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI

Marquette University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best political science & government schools. Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Milwaukee. Marquette University graduates 83% of students within six years. There were roughly 52 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Marquette University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from Marquette University earn around $38,225 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete this degree. See the full political science & government program report for Marquette University

16

Illinois Wesleyan University came in at #16 for political science & government this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Illinois Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit university. Illinois Wesleyan University graduates 75% of students within six years. Illinois Wesleyan University awarded about 14 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $50,808 in their early career. Illinois Wesleyan University graduates carry a median of $26,857 in student loans. See the full political science & government program report for Illinois Wesleyan University

17
Cedarville University crest
Cedarville University
Cedarville, OH

Cedarville University came in at #17 for political science & government this year. Cedarville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Cedarville. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. About 12 political science & government degrees were awarded at Cedarville University in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $57,104 in their early career. Cedarville University graduates carry a median of $22,110 in student loans. Read more about the political science & government program at Cedarville University

18
Elmhurst College crest
Elmhurst College
Elmhurst, IL

Elmhurst College came in at #18 for political science & government this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Elmhurst. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 political science & government degrees were awarded at Elmhurst College in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $51,232 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,400 to complete this degree. Get the full political science & government details for Elmhurst College

19
Butler University crest
Butler University
Indianapolis, IN

Butler University landed the #19 spot for political science & government this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Butler University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Butler University graduates 79% of students within six years. There were roughly 24 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Butler University in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of Butler University earn a median of $68,222 early in their careers. Butler University graduates carry a median of $25,351 in student loans. Get the full political science & government details for Butler University

20

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best political science & government schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Cincinnati. About 74% of students finish within six years. About 97 political science & government degrees were awarded at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $37,360. Typical student debt for the program is $24,000. Get the full political science & government details for University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

21
Taylor University crest
Taylor University
Upland, IN

Taylor University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best political science & government schools. Set in the rural area of Upland, Taylor University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. Taylor University awarded about 11 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of Taylor University earn a median of $45,090 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,832 to complete this degree. See the full political science & government program report for Taylor University

22
Aurora University crest
Aurora University
Aurora, IL

Aurora University earned the #22 position for political science & government this year. Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Aurora. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. About 11 political science & government degrees were awarded at Aurora University in the most recent year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from Aurora University earn around $51,483 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,507 to complete this degree. See the full political science & government program report for Aurora University

23

Loyola University Chicago landed the #23 spot for political science & government 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%. Loyola University Chicago awarded about 140 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government 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 & government program report for Loyola University Chicago

24
Xavier University crest
Xavier University
Cincinnati, OH

Xavier University came in at #24 for political science & government 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 57 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $41,710 in their early career. Xavier University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in political science & government from Xavier University

25

Illinois State University placed #25 among the best political science & government schools. 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 & government degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $34,519 in their early career. Illinois State University graduates carry a median of $22,201 in student loans. Get the full political science & government details for Illinois State University

Rest of the Top 50 Political Science & Government Schools

These schools also placed among the best for political science & government this year:

26
27
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL
28
Denison University crest
Denison University
Granville, OH
29
30
31
32
33
34
John Carroll University crest
John Carroll University
University Heights, OH
35
36
37
38
Hope College crest
Hope College
Holland, MI
39
Ripon College crest
Ripon College
Ripon, WI
40
41
42
Oberlin College crest
Oberlin College
Oberlin, OH
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50

Honorable Mentions

Also worth considering for political science & government:

Narrow Political Science & Government Schools by State

ADBLOCK #173
View All Political Science & Government Rankings >

ADBLOCK #115

Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 181 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

ADBLOCK #116

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs
ADBLOCK #613

Compare Your School Options