By major
Colleges for Political Science in Illinois
45 colleges in Illinois award a bachelor’s degree in political science, according to federal data. Each is rated on academics and value, with every figure linked to its source.
Highest-rated
#3
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Compass ScoreExceptional · Top 6%Champaign, IL · Value A · Academics A
Where graduates earn the most
Median earnings of bachelor’s graduates in this field a few years after finishing, from the College Scorecard.
| Rank | College | Median earnings | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Chicago Chicago, IL Earnings $87,869 · Debt $18,500 | $87,869 | $18,500 |
| 2 | Northwestern University Evanston, IL Earnings $73,231 · Debt $16,834 | $73,231 | $16,834 |
| 3 | Benedictine University Lisle, IL Earnings $71,749 · Debt — | $71,749 | — |
| 4 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Champaign, IL Earnings $69,515 · Debt $19,201 | $69,515 | $19,201 |
| 5 | Roosevelt University Chicago, IL Earnings $68,226 · Debt $23,250 | $68,226 | $23,250 |
| 6 | Loyola University Chicago Chicago, IL Earnings $63,437 · Debt $23,000 | $63,437 | $23,000 |
| 7 | Lake Forest College Lake Forest, IL Earnings $61,770 · Debt $27,000 | $61,770 | $27,000 |
| 8 | Eastern Illinois University Charleston, IL Earnings $61,519 · Debt $20,326 | $61,519 | $20,326 |
| 9 | Northeastern Illinois University Chicago, IL Earnings $60,545 · Debt — | $60,545 | — |
| 10 | University of Illinois Chicago Chicago, IL Earnings $60,020 · Debt $18,597 | $60,020 | $18,597 |
| 11 | Illinois State University Normal, IL Earnings $59,571 · Debt $20,500 | $59,571 | $20,500 |
| 12 | Aurora University Aurora, IL Earnings $58,503 · Debt — | $58,503 | — |
| 13 | University of Illinois Springfield Springfield, IL Earnings $58,236 · Debt $21,196 | $58,236 | $21,196 |
| 14 | DePaul University Chicago, IL Earnings $58,163 · Debt $22,449 | $58,163 | $22,449 |
| 15 | Bradley University Peoria, IL Earnings $57,832 · Debt $27,000 | $57,832 | $27,000 |
| 16 | Southern Illinois University-Carbondale Carbondale, IL Earnings $55,544 · Debt $23,594 | $55,544 | $23,594 |
| 17 | Augustana College Rock Island, IL Earnings $55,295 · Debt $27,000 | $55,295 | $27,000 |
| 18 | Knox College Galesburg, IL Earnings $54,341 · Debt $25,553 | $54,341 | $25,553 |
| 19 | Northern Illinois University Dekalb, IL Earnings $54,039 · Debt $25,500 | $54,039 | $25,500 |
| 20 | Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Edwardsville, IL Earnings $52,564 · Debt $24,250 | $52,564 | $24,250 |
| 21 | Western Illinois University Macomb, IL Earnings $50,963 · Debt $24,820 | $50,963 | $24,820 |
All 45
Filter, sort and compare these colleges
| School | Compass Score | Value | Academics | Net price | Students |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Chicago Honor RollCollege Compass Guide Honor Roll: the top 10% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ and A), from academics and value. Chicago · Private nonprofit | A+Value: Exceptional (grade A+): the top 3% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | A+Academics: A+ (grade A+): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $14,860 | 18,339 | |
| Northwestern University Honor RollCollege Compass Guide Honor Roll: the top 10% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ and A), from academics and value. Evanston · Private nonprofit | B+Value: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | A+Academics: A+ (grade A+): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $29,167 | 23,203 | |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Honor RollCollege Compass Guide Honor Roll: the top 10% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ and A), from academics and value. Champaign · Public | AValue: Exceptional (grade A): the top 10% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | AAcademics: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $14,355 | 56,563 | |
| Wheaton College Honor RollCollege Compass Guide Honor Roll: the top 10% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ and A), from academics and value. Wheaton · Private nonprofit | B-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | AAcademics: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $26,975 | 2,799 | |
| Lake Forest College RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value. Lake Forest · Private nonprofit | B-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | A-Academics: A- (grade A-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $28,673 | 1,818 | |
| Illinois Institute of Technology RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value. Chicago · Private nonprofit | A-Value: Excellent (grade A-): the top 20% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | A-Academics: A- (grade A-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $18,425 | 8,563 | |
| Illinois Wesleyan University RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value. Bloomington · Private nonprofit | B-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | A-Academics: A- (grade A-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $28,199 | 1,576 | |
| Knox College RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value. Galesburg · Private nonprofit | B-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | A-Academics: A- (grade A-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $24,595 | 1,001 | |
| Loyola University Chicago RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value. Chicago · Private nonprofit | C+Value: Solid (grade C+): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | A-Academics: A- (grade A-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $36,079 | 17,397 | |
| Augustana College RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value. Rock Island · Private nonprofit | BValue: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | A-Academics: A- (grade A-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $22,736 | 2,484 | |
| Bradley University RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value. Peoria · Private nonprofit | BValue: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | A-Academics: A- (grade A-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $22,719 | 5,217 | |
| DePaul University RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value. Chicago · Private nonprofit | B-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | B+Academics: B+ (grade B+): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $30,902 | 21,348 | |
| University of Illinois Chicago RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value. Chicago · Public | A+Value: Exceptional (grade A+): the top 3% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | B+Academics: B+ (grade B+): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $10,974 | 33,522 | |
| University of St. Francis RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value. Joliet · Private nonprofit | AValue: Exceptional (grade A): the top 10% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | B+Academics: B+ (grade B+): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $13,006 | 3,185 | |
| Elmhurst University RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value. Elmhurst · Private nonprofit | BValue: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | B+Academics: B+ (grade B+): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $24,185 | 3,906 | |
| Lewis University RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value. Romeoville · Private nonprofit | A-Value: Excellent (grade A-): the top 20% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | B+Academics: B+ (grade B+): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $17,028 | 6,636 | |
| North Central College RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value. Naperville · Private nonprofit | BValue: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | B+Academics: B+ (grade B+): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $21,044 | 2,856 | |
| Illinois State University Normal · Public | B+Value: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | BAcademics: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $19,398 | 20,989 | |
| Trinity Christian College Palos Heights · Private nonprofit | BValue: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | B+Academics: B+ (grade B+): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $19,125 | 883 | |
| Olivet Nazarene University Bourbonnais · Private nonprofit | B-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | BAcademics: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $20,729 | 3,275 | |
| Monmouth College Monmouth · Private nonprofit | BValue: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | B+Academics: B+ (grade B+): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $17,133 | 727 | |
| Aurora University Aurora · Private nonprofit | B+Value: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | BAcademics: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $18,838 | 5,935 | |
| Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Edwardsville · Public | B+Value: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | BAcademics: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $14,889 | 12,045 | |
| University of Illinois Springfield Springfield · Public | AValue: Exceptional (grade A): the top 10% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | BAcademics: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $9,833 | 4,661 | |
| Illinois College Jacksonville · Private nonprofit | BValue: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | BAcademics: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $18,298 | 958 | |
| Southern Illinois University-Carbondale Carbondale · Public | B+Value: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | BAcademics: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $13,297 | 11,359 | |
| Saint Xavier University Chicago · Private nonprofit | AValue: Exceptional (grade A): the top 10% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | BAcademics: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $10,970 | 3,457 | |
| Blackburn College Carlinville · Private nonprofit | B-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | BAcademics: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $18,460 | 389 | |
| Millikin University Decatur · Private nonprofit | B-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | BAcademics: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $21,989 | 1,659 | |
| Dominican University River Forest · Private nonprofit | A-Value: Excellent (grade A-): the top 20% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | BAcademics: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $11,745 | 3,424 | |
| Quincy University Quincy · Private nonprofit | B-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | B-Academics: B- (grade B-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $20,359 | 1,280 | |
| North Park University Chicago · Private nonprofit | B+Value: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | BAcademics: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $16,948 | 2,624 | |
| Northern Illinois University Dekalb · Public | A-Value: Excellent (grade A-): the top 20% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | BAcademics: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $13,391 | 15,504 | |
| Governors State University University Park · Public | AValue: Exceptional (grade A): the top 10% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | C+Academics: C+ (grade C+): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $12,329 | 4,337 | |
| McKendree University Lebanon · Private nonprofit | B-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | B-Academics: B- (grade B-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $24,717 | 2,075 | |
| Eastern Illinois University Charleston · Public | B+Value: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | B-Academics: B- (grade B-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $12,786 | 8,804 | |
| Benedictine University Lisle · Private nonprofit | BValue: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | B-Academics: B- (grade B-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $22,313 | 2,989 | |
| Chicago State University Chicago · Public | B-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | B-Academics: B- (grade B-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $12,335 | 2,324 | |
| Northeastern Illinois University Chicago · Public | A-Value: Excellent (grade A-): the top 20% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | C+Academics: C+ (grade C+): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $14,109 | 5,504 | |
| Western Illinois University Macomb · Public | B+Value: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | B-Academics: B- (grade B-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $12,937 | 7,073 | |
| Rockford University Rockford · Private nonprofit | BValue: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | B-Academics: B- (grade B-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $22,436 | 1,249 | |
| Roosevelt University Chicago · Private nonprofit | B-Value: Good (grade B-): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | B-Academics: B- (grade B-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $20,194 | 4,015 | |
| National Louis University Chicago · Private nonprofit | B+Value: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | C+Academics: C+ (grade C+): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $12,641 | 8,270 | |
| Concordia University-Chicago River Forest · Private nonprofit | BValue: Good (grade B): below the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank among rated colleges. | C+Academics: C+ (grade C+): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $18,436 | 5,066 | |
| Principia College Elsah · Private nonprofit | — | N/AValue: Not enough information. Federal data does not cover enough of this to grade it yet. | AAcademics: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | — | 338 |
Common questions
How many colleges in Illinois offer a political science degree?
45, counting colleges that award a bachelor’s degree in political science in the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard data. Some colleges offer the field as a minor or under another name; check each college’s catalog.
How are these colleges rated?
Every college is rated from the U.S. Department of Education’s data: Academic Excellence (graduation, retention, preparation and teaching) and Value (what families pay after aid, what graduates earn, and student debt). The major does not affect the grades. See the methodology.
Other majors
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