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Cheapest Political Science and Government Colleges in Michigan

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor graduates earn $40,305 annually while Northern Michigan University graduates start at just $21,781, creating an $18,524 earnings gap that reflects the competitive nature of political science careers in Michigan. Despite this disparity, Northern Michigan keeps costs low with a net price of $17,485 compared to Michigan-Ann Arbor's $14,832. The state's political market offers unique opportunities, from Detroit's municipal government roles to Lansing's state capitol positions. Michigan Achievement Scholarships provide up to $5,500 for in-state students, making programs like University of Michigan-Dearborn particularly attractive at $10,904 net cost. Public universities dominate the affordable options, with 12 of the 15 cheapest programs coming from state institutions. Wayne State University in Detroit positions graduates well for urban policy work, while smaller programs like Lake Superior State offer more personalized attention at $14,368 annually.
26
Programs
$10,904 – $25,749
Net Price Range
$33,515
Avg. Program Earnings
62.2%
Avg. Graduation Rate

26 Political Science and Government Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $10,904 $14,944 56.6% 54.1%
2 $12,202 $13,630 47.9% 87.9%
3 $12,280 $14,014 44.6% 66.4%
4 $13,584 $14,694 56.9% 90.1%
5 $14,368 $14,266 56.9% 76.9%
6 $14,582 $12,240 53.8% 76.4%
7 $14,773 $14,297 56.5% 75.3%
8 $14,832 $17,228 93.2% 17.7%
9 $16,041 $14,190 61.8% 79.0%
10 $16,179 $32,300 68.1% 90.5%
11 $16,882 $55,746 57.1% 66.5%
12 $17,084 $15,510 45.5% 83.2%
13 $17,096 $14,628 68.6% 90.4%
14 $17,185 $29,778 51.1% 65.0%
15 $17,485 $13,304 50.8% 70.6%
16 $17,815 $27,360 58.1% 64.8%
17 $18,597 $33,710 65.9% 91.3%
18 $18,701 $15,298 57.8% 84.6%
19 $18,873 $58,764 81.7% 79.3%
20 $18,902 $38,520 62.5% 90.8%
21 $20,751 $15,988 82.2% 88.0%
22 $20,899 $32,580 59.9% 47.3%
23 $21,504 $40,556 56.0% 69.1%
24 $24,663 $47,430 63.7% 64.7%
25 $24,783 $38,670 77.4% 74.2%
26 $25,749 $40,420 82.3% 80.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $18,524 earnings difference between Michigan political science programs?

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor graduates earn $40,305 annually compared to Northern Michigan University's $21,781, reflecting program selectivity and alumni networks. Michigan-Ann Arbor accepts only 17.69% of applicants and maintains a 93.20% graduation rate. The school's proximity to state government and major corporations creates stronger career pipelines. Geographic location also matters, as Detroit and Ann Arbor offer more high-paying policy and legal positions than rural areas.

How do Michigan Achievement Scholarships affect political science program costs?

The Michigan Achievement Scholarship covers up to $5,500 for in-state students, significantly reducing net costs across public universities. This makes University of Michigan-Dearborn particularly affordable at $10,904 net price after aid. Students at Central Michigan University pay $16,041 net cost but receive substantial state support. The scholarship helps level the playing field between programs like Wayne State at $14,773 and more expensive options.

Is University of Michigan-Dearborn the best value for political science in Michigan?

At $10,904 net cost with graduates earning $31,133 annually, Michigan-Dearborn offers strong return on investment. The program maintains a 56.60% graduation rate with 54.10% acceptance rate, balancing accessibility with academic standards. Students benefit from Detroit's proximity to government offices, law firms, and nonprofit organizations. The debt load averages $22,551, manageable given the earning potential in Michigan's political sector.

Does attending a more selective Michigan political science program guarantee higher earnings?

Not necessarily. Oakland University graduates earn $38,289 annually with a 90.05% acceptance rate, outperforming more selective programs. Central Michigan University graduates make $35,701 despite accepting 78.95% of applicants. However, Michigan-Ann Arbor's 17.69% acceptance rate does correlate with the highest earnings at $40,305. Success depends more on internships, networking, and career services than admission selectivity alone.

Where do Michigan political science graduates find the most job opportunities?

Detroit offers municipal government positions, while Lansing provides state capitol opportunities in legislative offices and agencies. Grand Rapids has grown as a political center with federal offices and advocacy groups. Michigan's automotive industry creates unique policy roles at GM, Ford, and Stellantis for regulatory affairs. University locations matter, as Wayne State and Michigan-Dearborn provide direct access to Detroit's government sector, while Michigan-Ann Arbor connects to state-level positions.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.