Best Political Science colleges in Chicago 2024

Best Political Science colleges in Chicago for 2024

University of Chicago
Chicago, IL
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Decades before Bernie Sanders made a run at becoming the Democratic Party’s nominee for president, he earned an undergraduate degree in political science and chaired the student chapter of the Congress of Racial Equality at U of C. The turbulent 1960s are over, but applying knowledge gained in the classroom to activities outside of it remains a part of Chicago’s culture. From working with the Partnership for the Advancement of Refugee Rights to organizing movie screenings for the Student Political Forum, students have so many chances to become involved on campus that they hardly have time to notice when winter temps dip below zero.

For those familiar with U of C’s environment, it will come as no surprise that Herbert Simon -- the only political scientist ever awarded a Nobel Prize for his intellectual achievements -- received his doctorate there. As the university boldly and proudly states:

There are only a few places on the planet that are in Chicago's league when it comes to research, teaching, and the intensity of intellectual life. That is why we believe Chicago is one of the most interesting, lively, cutting-edge places to study, research, and teach political science.

With courses covering the spectrum from “Herodotus and Thucydides: History and Politics” to “Violence and Development in Africa” to “Politics in Chicago,” it would be hard to disagree.

University of Illinois Chicago offers 3 Political Science and Government, General degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a large city. In 2022, 105 Political Science and Government, General students graduated with students earning 99 Bachelor's degrees, 4 Doctoral degrees, and 2 Master's degrees.

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Wheaton College
Wheaton, IL

Wheaton College offers 1 Political Science and Government, General degree programs. It's a small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2022, 9 Political Science and Government, General students graduated with students earning 9 Bachelor's degrees.

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Loyola University Chicago offers 3 Political Science and Government, General degree programs. It's a large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2022, 169 Political Science and Government, General students graduated with students earning 159 Bachelor's degrees, 8 Master's degrees, and 2 Doctoral degrees.

Northern Illinois University offers 3 Political Science and Government, General degree programs. It's a large, public, four-year university in a small suburb. In 2022, 74 Political Science and Government, General students graduated with students earning 67 Bachelor's degrees, 5 Master's degrees, and 2 Doctoral degrees.

DePaul University
Chicago, IL

DePaul University offers 1 Political Science and Government, General degree programs. It's a very large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2022, 126 Political Science and Government, General students graduated with students earning 126 Bachelor's degrees.

Northeastern Illinois University offers 2 Political Science and Government, General degree programs. It's a medium sized, public, four-year university in a large city. In 2022, 22 Political Science and Government, General students graduated with students earning 17 Bachelor's degrees, and 5 Master's degrees.

Lake Forest College
Lake Forest, IL

Lake Forest College offers 1 Political Science and Government, General degree programs. It's a small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2022, 16 Political Science and Government, General students graduated with students earning 16 Bachelor's degrees.

Elmhurst University
Elmhurst, IL

Elmhurst University offers 1 Political Science and Government, General degree programs. It's a small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2022, 14 Political Science and Government, General students graduated with students earning 14 Bachelor's degrees.

Valparaiso University
Valparaiso, IN

Valparaiso University offers 1 Political Science and Government, General degree programs. It's a small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2022, 14 Political Science and Government, General students graduated with students earning 14 Bachelor's degrees.

List of all Political Science colleges in Chicago

School Average Tuition Student Teacher Ratio Enrolled Students
University of Chicago Logo University of Chicago Chicago, IL
5/5
11 : 1 18,339
University of Illinois Chicago Logo University of Illinois Chicago Chicago, IL
4/5
19 : 1 33,747
Wheaton College Logo Wheaton College Wheaton, IL
5/5
14 : 1 2,885
Loyola University Chicago Logo Loyola University Chicago Chicago, IL
5/5
20 : 1 16,899
Northern Illinois University Logo Northern Illinois University Dekalb, IL
3/5
19 : 1 15,649