Norton Shores, Michigan has 5 accredited schools offering political science programs, with tuition ranging from $39,350 to $54,222 per year for indexed programs. Norton Shores has a population of about 25,000. Median household income is $73,390 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 33.2% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. In Michigan, the top-earning political science-related role is Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary at a median $107,060 annually (BLS, May 2025).
Closest Political Science Schools to Norton Shores
The accredited institutions listed below are the closest in our directory that offer political science programs near Norton Shores, ranked by BOC Score and straight-line distance from Norton Shores city center. The list is rebuilt from federal IPEDS data on every site update.
How We Rank Schools
Every school list on this site is ordered by the BOC Score, computed from the most
recent school-level data published by the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard and IPEDS).
To qualify, a school must be currently operating and accredited by an agency recognized by the
U.S. Department of Education. Each eligible school is then scored on five measures, percentile-ranked
against schools at the same credential level:
BOCSCORE
- Graduation rate 30%
- Median earnings, 10 years after entry 25%
- Average net price (lower is better) 20%
- Retention rate 15%
- Fully online availability 10%
Schools without enough outcome data appear after ranked schools, without a score.
On this page, schools are ordered by distance from Norton Shores.
Advertising never affects these rankings. Read the full methodology.
Graduation rate
66%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
$56,118
Avg net price
$16,317/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Key stats
- Retention rate: 76%
- Programs offered: 137
Source:IPEDS · College Scorecard
Graduation rate
80%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
$58,427
Avg net price
$27,182/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Key stats
- Retention rate: 89%
- Programs offered: 54
Source:IPEDS · College Scorecard
Acceptance rate
90%
Graduation rate
64%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
$49,584
Avg net price
$16,626/yr
TuitionIn‑state$40,218
Out‑of‑state$40,218
Key stats
- Retention rate: 76%
- Programs offered: 49
Source:Accreditor: Higher Learning Commission · IPEDS · College Scorecard
Acceptance rate
71%
Graduation rate
76%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
$58,375
Avg net price
$22,992/yr
TuitionIn‑state$39,350
Out‑of‑state$39,350
Key stats
- Retention rate: 88%
- Programs offered: 89
Source:Accreditor: Higher Learning Commission · IPEDS · College Scorecard
Graduation rate
60%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
$54,735
Avg net price
$8,624/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Key stats
- Retention rate: 75%
- Programs offered: 126
Source:IPEDS · College Scorecard
Graduation rate
78%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
$65,590
Avg net price
$19,072/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Key stats
- Retention rate: 84%
- Programs offered: 28
Source:IPEDS · College Scorecard
Graduation rate
61%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
$53,562
Avg net price
$15,273/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Key stats
- Retention rate: 80%
- Programs offered: 188
Source:IPEDS · College Scorecard
Acceptance rate
90%
Graduation rate
60%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
$55,874
Avg net price
$17,597/yr
TuitionIn‑state$14,760
Out‑of‑state$14,760
Key stats
- Retention rate: 75%
- Programs offered: 183
Source:Accreditor: Higher Learning Commission · IPEDS · College Scorecard
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Michigan schools on the Michigan political science page.
Political Science Wages Near Norton Shores
Norton Shores is part of the Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI metro area (BLS area code 34740). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Michigan statewide.
| Occupation |
Median Wage |
Source |
COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
| Political Scientists |
$86,290 |
MI statewide |
$93,286 |
| Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary |
$107,060 |
MI statewide |
$115,741 |
| Management Analysts |
$88,610 |
Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI |
$95,795 |
| Public Relations Specialists |
$58,460 |
Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI |
$63,200 |
| Survey Researchers |
$101,550 |
MI statewide |
$109,784 |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants |
$47,940 |
Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI |
$51,827 |
| Compliance Officers |
$84,430 |
Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI |
$91,276 |
| Social and Community Service Managers |
$95,670 |
Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI |
$103,427 |
Source: BLS, May 2025 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes wage data at the metro (MSA) and state level – not by individual city.
Norton Shores at a Glance
| Metric |
Value |
Source |
| Population |
25,000 |
Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income |
$73,390 |
Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ |
33.2% |
Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) |
92.5 (below U.S. average) |
BEA RPP 2024 |
Other Norton Shores-Area Cities With Political Science Programs
- Muskegon, MI – 4.6 mi away (161,058 pop)
- Holland, MI – 28.3 mi away (101,421 pop)
- Walker, MI – 28.4 mi away (24,775 pop)
- Grand Rapids, MI – 33.1 mi away (595,467 pop)
- Wyoming, MI – 33.3 mi away (75,567 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited political science schools are near Norton Shores, MI?
Our directory has 5 accredited schools offering political science programs near Norton Shores. The closest is Grand Valley State University in Allendale, MI (22.9 miles), and the farthest of the schools shown is Ferris State University (53.0 miles). 3 of the highlighted schools are flagged as offering distance education.
What are the highest-paying political science roles near Norton Shores?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2025 wage data, the top-paying political science-related roles near Norton Shores are: Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary ($107,060), Survey Researchers ($101,550), Social and Community Service Managers ($95,670). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Michigan statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Muskegon instead of Norton Shores?
Muskegon, MI is 4.6 miles from Norton Shores and has its own set of local political science programs – see the city’s page. For online programs, distance matters less; for hybrid or in-person formats, comparing both can help.
Is Norton Shores an affordable place to study political science?
Norton Shores’s median household income of $73,390 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Norton Shores while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Michigan public universities often offer reduced in-state online tuition.
How do I verify a program is accredited?
Confirm institutional accreditation via the U.S. Department of Education database (U.S. Dept. of Education database), and check for any program-specific accreditation listed by the school.
Learn More About Political Science Programs
Other Programs Available in Norton Shores
Compare every accredited online degree program with city-level data for Norton Shores:
- History programs in Norton Shores, MI
- English programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Sociology programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Anthropology programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Philosophy programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Mathematics programs in Norton Shores, MI
- General Studies programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Forensic Psychology programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Child Development programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Data Science programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Electrical Engineering programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Software Engineering programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Engineering Management programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Geography programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Aviation Management programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Public Policy programs in Norton Shores, MI
- International Relations programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Chemistry programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Physics programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Neuroscience programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Spanish programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Film programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Fashion programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Architecture programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Urban Planning programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Industrial Design programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Game Design programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Instructional Design programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Higher Education Administration programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Global Health programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Art History programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Creative Writing programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Environmental Science programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Nutrition programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Theology programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Library Science programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Applied Behavior Analysis programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Medical Billing and Coding programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Medical Assistant programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Pharmacy Technician programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Health Science programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Occupational Safety and Health programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Entrepreneurship programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Interior Design programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Photography programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Sustainability Management programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Behavioral Health Science programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Mental Health Counseling programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Substance Abuse Counseling programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Journalism programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Public Relations programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Communication Disorders programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Speech Pathology programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Technical Communication programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Professional Writing programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Strategic Communications programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Business Development programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Construction Management programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Economics programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Financial Technology programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Forensic Accounting programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Health Information Management programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Hospitality Management programs in Norton Shores, MI
- International Business programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Organizational Leadership programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Management Information Systems programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Nonprofit Management programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Operations Management programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Public Administration programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Real Estate programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Recreation Management programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Retail Management programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Risk Management programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Statistics programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Taxation programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Corrections programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Crime Analysis programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Criminal Justice Administration programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Criminology programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Cybercrime programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Emergency Management programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Fire Science programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Forensic Science programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Legal Services programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Legal Studies programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Paralegal programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Security Management programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Cloud Computing programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Computer Engineering programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Innovation programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Mobile App Development programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Software Development programs in Norton Shores, MI
- User Experience programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Web Development programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Artificial Intelligence programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Machine Learning programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Supply Chain Management programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Data Analytics programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Public Health programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Human Resources programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Project Management programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Special Education programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Homeland Security programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Marketing programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Finance programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Kinesiology programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Sports Management programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Early Childhood Education programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Elementary Education programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Biology programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Communications programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Graphic Design programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Human Services programs in Norton Shores, MI
- MBA programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Criminal Justice programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Nursing programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Business Administration programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Computer Science programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Psychology programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Education programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Engineering programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Technology programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Liberal Arts programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Healthcare programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Cybersecurity programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Accounting programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Healthcare Administration programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Social Work programs in Norton Shores, MI
- Counseling programs in Norton Shores, MI
Data verified: September 5, 2026.
Salary, employment, and tuition figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2025; Employment Projections 2024–2034) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2023 cohort). The source agency and data year are cited inline with every statistic.
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