2024 Best Colleges for Political Science in the Cleveland Area

• Cleveland, OH•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.61 out of 5  1,756 reviews

Sophomore: CWRU is a great environment for premed students! I would estimate ~65% of undergraduates here are on the premed track, which makes for a very research heavy environment, where faculty is very cooperative and willing to work with students. Unfortunately the campus is isolated in a suburban-esque area of Cleveland, there's not much to do since stepping off campus is relatively dangerous as well. The undergraduate educational environment, however is quite tailored to the premed experience. Competition between premeds is pretty rough, and the school has a pretty bad case of the "Case Complex", meaning if you're not premed, you might be on the receiving end of a little snark on behalf of some Case students. Classes are quite manageable if you plan your schedule accordingly, don't try to overload yourself with classes and you'll be fine! Dining options on the North Residential Campus is gnarly compared to the South Side, so dine at Fribley whenever you get a chance.... Read 1,756 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 30%

• Net price $38,166

• SAT range 1410-1530

• Oberlin, OH•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.68 out of 5  659 reviews

Alum: My experience at Oberlin College was wonderful overall. Yes there were some bumps in the road socially and academically challenges but I wouldn't choose somewhere else if I could do my undergraduate over again. Key thing was having a community that looked like me and support me socially and culturally. I also built relationships with wonderful professors and staff that truly cared about me and my success because they were able to connect to each and every student, unlike giant public schools. While the party seen is pretty boring, the student life activities and events are great; there is always something happening on campus. And the natural areas around campus are gorgeous, especially in the fall.... Read 659 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 34%

• Net price $44,689

• SAT range 1300-1460

• University Heights, OH•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.57 out of 5  844 reviews

Freshman: I am very impressed with JCU and the spirit and enthusiasm of the staff, faculty and students. The school is a very energized and welcoming environment. I immediately felt encouraged to achieve my career goals the very moment I started visiting the school and participated in orientation. I was made to feel that I could accomplish anything!... Read 844 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 88%

• Net price $28,661

• SAT range 1120-1340

• Cleveland, OH•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.64 out of 5  1,964 reviews

Freshman: I can't speak for everyone, because this is coming from someone who is getting their Bachelor's in Music Education, but my overall experience in the music program at CSU has been good. There are some negative things, like a professor here or there that is rude/discriminating, or a negative unspoken competition that goes on with other musicians sometimes. But there are good things too! Most faculty are amazing people who push their students to succeed, and the friends you can make here are priceless and I can tell that my new friendships are going to last for a lifetime <3... Read 1,964 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 91%

• Net price $15,517

• SAT range 900-1170

• North Canton, OH•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.69 out of 5  523 reviews

Sophomore: This school maintains their Catholic identity fairly well and has a great campus ministry. The classes vary in difficulty, but overall the education is good. Most classes are not online, but, I would make sure to ask if your classes will be online if you're planning on taking a small major. Game Development, for example, is almost completely online. Some classes that are listed on the website are offered vary rarely or never, so I would definitely recommend talking with the head of your major before committing to this school and asking about this. I usually like the food and the housing is fine. The school is expensive, however, there are lots of scholarship opportunities that can lower the price. The school is small enough that you can find great community and some great help from professors. The library is good and the campus looks nice. The neighborhood is safe. I like that the classes run on a quick 8-week term schedule, because you can focus on only a few classes at a time.... Read 523 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 80%

• Net price $20,350

• SAT range 990-1220

• Berea, OH•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.58 out of 5  1,067 reviews

Sophomore: The community within Baldwin Wallace is the best. Everyone, staff, and students, are so charming to one another. Walking down the street, just about everyone will smile or wave at you. It was a bit difficult to make friends at first, but I found that simply getting involved and attending different activities hosted by various clubs and groups was a fantastic way to get out and meet new people. I do have a bit of an issue with certain offices responding to emails, and parking for freshmen is a nightmare. But nonetheless, I could not have picked a better university to spend the next 4 years at!... Read 1,067 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 79%

• Net price $26,577

• SAT range 1040-1250

• Akron, OH•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.59 out of 5  2,931 reviews

Senior: I am a returning student at The University of Akron. After earning an associate's degree in 2002, I joined the working world. After many, many years away from school, I decided to return for a bachelor's degree. I reached out to an advisor who was extremely helpful. She worked with me to make sure that all of my prior credit hours were applied to my new degree, and worked with me to create a school schedule that would accommodate my full time work schedule. She has been instrumental each semester to ensure that I stay on track to meet my graduation goals! Taking online classes has been much easier than one would expect. All of the professors and instructors are accessible through email, and will meet in person, or teleconference. Email responses are very quick. Everything has made returning to school so much better than I anticipated.... Read 2,931 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 85%

• Net price $17,443

• SAT range 990-1230

• Kent, OH•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.68 out of 5  4,807 reviews

Freshman: Kent State is an amazing school! They have great club academics and athletics that really cater to anyone's needs or dreams. As a poly science student I have an overwhelming amount of resources that help me in my studies, networking and making myself a better person. At first I had doubt about Kent State due to it living in the shadow of Ohio State University (I live in central Ohio near Columbus for reference.) But I was so wrong. The only thing I will say is that compared to urban universities it lack things to do BUT Kent is considered a suburban area school so for what it is it goes above my expectations overall. If your into off campus parties Kent has a great Greek Life in place and there parties are great. Like a slightly watered down version of Ohio University at Athens frat party.... Read 4,807 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 87%

• Net price $18,947

• SAT range 1000-1210

• Canton, OH•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.57 out of 5  486 reviews

Senior: Malone is a faithfully Christian university with huge strength in the community and faith. It offers courses that will highlight the Christian experiences in many different ways from digging deep into the theology of your faith to expanding your religious horizon. Malone also excels in other areas like its student and faculty body. Though the music department has lost a lot of its students and majors, it is one of the most inspiring and talented sections of Malone. Its choir never disappoints, the band is amazing, and the individual talented artists are mind-blowing. Malone also has an extensive wildlife biology program with its very own petting zoo and aquarium. The animals are taken care of by students and those students are hand-selected by their professors. Another area in which Malone excels - is its student/ professor relations. I have never attended a school where the professors truly loved and cared for both their students and their jobs.... Read 486 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 78%

• Net price $18,664

• SAT range 990-1200

• Cleveland, OH•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.47 out of 5  328 reviews

Senior: My experience with Notre Dame College has been wonderful! They have one of the most immersive I.E.P programs I have seen a higher educational school provide. Their program is called the Thrive Center. Classes are small and personal, you will always get to know your professor on a one to one basis and also get to know your classmates. At Notre Dame College you are not a number like at other big schools. Most of the student body is athletes but that’s okay! Notre Dame College always has some sort of event, game, club, play and more to be involved in. Everyone is so kind and welcoming, you will for sure make a friend!... Read 328 reviews

• grade C+

• Acceptance rate 82%

• Net price $19,380

• SAT range 890-1100

• North Canton, OH•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 4.03 out of 5  633 reviews

Junior: I didn't know what I wanted to do yet, so I went for just General Science—I got my degree in the fall of 2022. Then I decided I wanted to go to the Respiratory Therapy Program. So, I am now going back for that! My previous degree took off some of my "core" classes and is making this degree a little easier! LOVE IT HERE!... Read 633 reviews

• grade C+

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $6,363

• SAT range —

• Painesville, OH•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.48 out of 5  195 reviews

Sophomore: I am a transfer student, and during my short time at Lake Erie, everyone has been extremely helpful and nice. I had a really hard time getting help at my last school, and it made my academics hell. All workers know what is going on and care about their students.... Read 195 reviews

• grade C

• Acceptance rate 55%

• Net price $21,347

• SAT range 920-1130

• Pepper Pike, OH•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.74 out of 5  311 reviews

Junior: Looks like a great school so far! I’m transferring as a Junior, the only issue I’m running into the the tuition. This was not a price that I was financially ready for but it’s the only school in Ohio to offer art therapy so now I’m just figuring it out as I go.... Read 311 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 82%

• Net price $16,353

• SAT range 940-1100