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2022 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Political Science (Income $30-$48k) in Virginia

22 Ranked Colleges
1,457 Degrees Awarded
$15,900 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Bachelor's in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2019-2020, 46,740 people earned their degree in political science, making the major the 14th most popular in the United States.

Across Virginia, there were 1,551 political science graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 1,457 political science graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 22 colleges that offered a degree in political science. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great political science programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the political science program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 22 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Political Science (Income $30-$48k) in Virginia

#1

Washington and Lee University

Lexington, Virginia
#1 in overall quality

Out of the 22 schools in the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Washington and Lee University landed the #1 spot on the list. Washington and Lee University is located in Lexington, Virginia and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 53 bachelors’s poly sci degrees to qualified students.

Washington and Lee also made our “Best Political Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” list, coming in at #1. The estimated yearly cost for Washington and Lee University is $2,039 for Virginia Bachelor’s Degree Poly Sci students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low student loan default rate of 0.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. The student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on Political Science at Washington and Lee University

#2

William & Mary

Williamsburg, Virginia
#3 in overall quality

Out of the 22 schools in the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, William & Mary landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Williamsburg, Virginia, this medium-sized public school handed out 182 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s poly sci students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our virginia bachelor’s degree poly sci students whose families make $30-$48k list, William & Mary has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Political Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” ranking. The yearly cost to attend William & Mary is $4,963 for virginia bachelor’s degree poly sci students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full William & Mary Political Science Report

#3

University of Virginia - Main Campus

Charlottesville, Virginia
#2 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Virginia - Main Campus. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Virginia is a large public school situated in Charlottesville, Virginia. It awarded 112 bachelors’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Virginia did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Political Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Virginia - Main Campus is $11,696 for virginia bachelor’s degree poly sci students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%.

Full University of Virginia - Main Campus Political Science Report

#4

University of Richmond

University of Richmond, Virginia
#4 in overall quality

Out of the 22 schools in the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Richmond landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in University of Richmond, Virginia, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 52 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s poly sci students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at URichmond, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Political Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” ranking. The yearly cost to attend URichmond is $9,131 for Virginia Bachelor’s Degree Poly Sci students whose families make $30-$48k.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.

Full University of Richmond Political Science Report

#5

Virginia Tech

Blacksburg, Virginia
#5 in overall quality

Out of the 22 schools in the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Virginia Tech landed the #5 spot on the list. Virginia Tech is a large school located in Blacksburg, Virginia that handed out 194 bachelors’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our virginia bachelor’s degree poly sci students whose families make $30-$48k list, Virginia Tech has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Political Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Virginia Tech is $14,010 for Virginia Bachelor’s Degree Poly Sci students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Virginia Tech Political Science Report

#6

James Madison University

Harrisonburg, Virginia
#6 in overall quality

James Madison University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #6. Harrisonburg, Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s poly sci degrees to 96 students in 2019-2020.

JMU also took the #6 spot in our “Best Political Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for James Madison University is $15,726 for virginia bachelor’s degree poly sci students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full James Madison University Political Science Report

#7

Emory and Henry College

Emory, Virginia
#13 in overall quality

Emory and Henry College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. Located in Emory, Virginia, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 8 degrees to qualified bachelors’s poly sci students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our virginia bachelor’s degree poly sci students whose families make $30-$48k list, Emory & Henry College has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Political Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $14,583 for virginia bachelor’s degree poly sci students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Emory and Henry College.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read more about Political Science at Emory and Henry College

#8

Christopher Newport University

Newport News, Virginia
#7 in overall quality

Christopher Newport University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Newport News, Virginia, and it awarded 77 bachelors’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CNU, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Political Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for CNU is $17,522 for Virginia Bachelor’s Degree Poly Sci students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Christopher Newport University Political Science Report

#9

Radford University

Radford, Virginia
#18 in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, Radford University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k list. Radford, Virginia is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s poly sci degrees to 27 students in 2019-2020.

Radford also made our “Best Political Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” list, coming in at #18. The estimated yearly cost for Radford University is $12,355 for virginia bachelor’s degree poly sci students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Radford Political Science Report

#10

Virginia Commonwealth University

Richmond, Virginia
#9 in overall quality

Virginia Commonwealth University landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Richmond, Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s poly sci degrees to 186 students in 2019-2020.

VCU also took the #9 spot in our “Best Political Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Virginia Commonwealth University is $17,529 for Virginia Bachelor’s Degree Poly Sci students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Political Science at Virginia Commonwealth University

#11

Old Dominion University

Norfolk, Virginia
#17 in overall quality

Old Dominion University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k list. Old Dominion University is a public institution located in Norfolk, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 60 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Old Dominion, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Political Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Old Dominion University is $13,747 for Virginia Bachelor’s Degree Poly Sci students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Political Science at Old Dominion University

#12

University of Mary Washington

Fredericksburg, Virginia
#11 in overall quality

University of Mary Washington came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Fredericksburg, Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s poly sci degrees to 47 students in 2019-2020.

UMW not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Political Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” list. The yearly cost to attend UMW is $14,997 for virginia bachelor’s degree poly sci students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low student loan default rate of 3.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full UMW Political Science Report

#13

Longwood University

Farmville, Virginia
#15 in overall quality

Longwood University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #13. Farmville, Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s poly sci degrees to 13 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Longwood, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Political Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Longwood is $14,433 for Virginia Bachelor’s Degree Poly Sci students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Political Science at Longwood

#14

Randolph - Macon College

Ashland, Virginia
#8 in overall quality

Randolph - Macon College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k list. Randolph - Macon is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Ashland, Virginia. It awarded 18 bachelors’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our virginia bachelor’s degree poly sci students whose families make $30-$48k list, Randolph - Macon has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Political Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Randolph - Macon College is $20,105 for virginia bachelor’s degree poly sci students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full Randolph - Macon Political Science Report

#15

Roanoke College

Salem, Virginia
#10 in overall quality

With a ranking of #15, Roanoke College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k list. Roanoke is located in Salem, Virginia and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 15 bachelors’s poly sci degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Roanoke, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Political Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $19,874 for virginia bachelor’s degree poly sci students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Roanoke College.

The low student loan default rate of 3.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Roanoke Political Science Report

#16

Bridgewater College

Bridgewater, Virginia
#16 in overall quality

With a ranking of #16, Bridgewater College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k list. Bridgewater College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Bridgewater, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 10 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Bridgewater also made our “Best Political Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” list, coming in at #16. The yearly cost to attend Bridgewater College is $14,634 for Virginia Bachelor’s Degree Poly Sci students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Political Science at Bridgewater

#17

Marymount University

Arlington, Virginia
#14 in overall quality

Marymount University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Marymount is located in Arlington, Virginia and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 17 bachelors’s poly sci degrees to qualified students.

Marymount not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Political Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” list. The estimated yearly cost for Marymount University is $22,618 for virginia bachelor’s degree poly sci students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Political Science at Marymount University

#18

Virginia State University

Petersburg, Virginia
#22 in overall quality

Virginia State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #18. Virginia State University is a small school located in Petersburg, Virginia that handed out 10 bachelors’s poly sci degrees in 2019-2020.

Virginia State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Political Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” list. The estimated yearly cost for Virginia State University is $16,410 for Virginia Bachelor’s Degree Poly Sci students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Political Science at Virginia State University

#19

University of Lynchburg

Lynchburg, Virginia
#21 in overall quality

University of Lynchburg did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #19. University of Lynchburg is a private not-for-profit institution located in Lynchburg, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 3 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our virginia bachelor’s degree poly sci students whose families make $30-$48k list, Lynchburg has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Political Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Lynchburg is $21,307 for virginia bachelor’s degree poly sci students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read more about Political Science at Lynchburg

#20

Virginia Wesleyan University

Virginia Beach, Virginia
#20 in overall quality

With a ranking of #20, Virginia Wesleyan University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 13 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s poly sci students in 2019-2020.

VWU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Political Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” list. The estimated yearly cost for Virginia Wesleyan University is $20,744 for virginia bachelor’s degree poly sci students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Political Science at VWU

#21

Hampden - Sydney College

Hampden-Sydney, Virginia
#12 in overall quality

Hampden - Sydney College landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Hampden - Sydney is a private not-for-profit institution located in Hampden-Sydney, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 20 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Hampden - Sydney, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Political Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Hampden - Sydney College is $25,858 for Virginia Bachelor’s Degree Poly Sci students whose families make $30-$48k.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The low student loan default rate of 4.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Hampden - Sydney College Political Science Report

#22

Liberty University

Lynchburg, Virginia
#19 in overall quality

Liberty University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Poly Sci Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #22. Located in Lynchburg, Virginia, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 137 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s poly sci students in 2019-2020.

Liberty University also took the #19 spot in our “Best Political Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Liberty University is $26,124 for virginia bachelor’s degree poly sci students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Political Science at Liberty University

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Notes and References

References

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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