Best Political Science and Government Schools in Illinois

Illinois has 22 colleges offering Political Science and Government programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 973 recent graduates. Graduates earn $33,212 on average within two years, roughly in line with the national average of $34,409.

Schools in IL

$33,212

IL Avg. Earnings

$34,409

National Avg.

631

Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Political Science and Government in Illinois

Public Schools (10)

$32,958

avg. 2yr earnings

Private Schools (12)

$33,467

avg. 2yr earnings

Private schools produce $509 more in early earnings on average, but typically cost more. Compare net price to determine which offers better ROI.

Political Science and Government Schools in Illinois, Ranked by Earnings

University of Chicago

Chicago, IL · Private

$40,872

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $48,082

Graduates: 72

Acceptance: 4.8%

Northwestern University

Evanston, IL · Private

$47,846

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $45,960

Graduates: 84

Acceptance: 7.1%

Benedictine University

Lisle, IL · Private

N/A

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 77.2%

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Champaign, IL · Public

$37,624

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $35,914

Graduates: 131

Acceptance: 43.7%

Roosevelt University

Chicago, IL · Private

N/A

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 94.3%

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, IL · Private

$27,114

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $32,001

Graduates: 113

Acceptance: 81.4%

Lake Forest College

Lake Forest, IL · Private

$30,409

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $44,630

Graduates: 25

Acceptance: 59.4%

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, IL · Public

$39,741

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $29,855

Graduates: 16

Acceptance: 67.8%

Northeastern Illinois University

Chicago, IL · Public

$33,459

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $35,711

Graduates: 27

Acceptance: 70.4%

#10

University of Illinois Chicago

Chicago, IL · Public

$30,771

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $31,417

Graduates: 63

Acceptance: 78.5%

#11

Illinois State University

Normal, IL · Public

$35,274

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $33,733

Graduates: 90

Acceptance: 89.0%

#12

Aurora University

Aurora, IL · Private

University of Illinois Springfield

Springfield, IL · Public

N/A

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $32,683

Graduates: 17

Acceptance: 84.4%

#14

DePaul University

Chicago, IL · Private

$34,298

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $37,484

Graduates: 115

Acceptance: 73.5%

#15

Bradley University

Peoria, IL · Private

Southern Illinois University-Carbondale

Carbondale, IL · Public

$28,236

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $27,845

Graduates: 34

Acceptance: 90.4%

#17

Augustana College

Rock Island, IL · Private

$26,353

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $34,180

Graduates: 21

Acceptance: 67.7%

#18

Knox College

Galesburg, IL · Private

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, IL · Public

$33,798

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $31,084

Graduates: 104

Acceptance: 70.5%

#20

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Edwardsville, IL · Public

$31,941

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $31,139

Graduates: 32

Acceptance: 97.2%

#21

Western Illinois University

Macomb, IL · Public

$25,774

2yr Earnings

1yr Earnings: $35,206

Graduates: 29

Acceptance: 75.0%

#22

Illinois Wesleyan University

Bloomington, IL · Private

$36,141

2yr Earnings

Acceptance: 45.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Political Science and Government in Illinois?

University of Chicago ranks #1 for Political Science and Government in Illinois with median graduate earnings of $40,872 within two years of graduation. There are 22 schools offering Political Science and Government programs in the state.

How much do Political Science and Government graduates earn in Illinois?

Political Science and Government graduates in Illinois earn an average of $33,212 within two years of graduation. This is 3% below the national average of $34,409 for this major.

What is the hardest Political Science and Government school to get into in Illinois?

University of Chicago is the most selective Political Science and Government program in Illinois with an acceptance rate of 4.8%. The average acceptance rate across Political Science and Government programs in the state is 68.6%.

Should I attend a public or private school for Political Science and Government in Illinois?

In Illinois, private Political Science and Government programs produce average earnings of $33,467 vs $32,958 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 10 public and 12 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in Illinois

Chemical Engineering $69,173 Computer Science $66,656 Computer Engineering $65,978 Biomedical/Medical Engineering $64,764 Civil Engineering $61,502 Construction Management $60,021 Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering $58,932 Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other $57,318

All colleges in Illinois →

Political Science and Government in Other States

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Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study file last updated June 2026. Institution-level figures elsewhere on the site come from the June 2026 release.