2027 Best Political Science Schools in Virginia
Political Science programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
College Factual analyzed 21 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best political science schools.
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Best Schools for Political Science in Virginia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall political science education in Virginia.
Top Schools in Political Science
University Of Virginia Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in political science. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 90 political science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $45,875. Students borrow a median of $18,015 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in political science from University Of Virginia Main Campus
A rank of #2 makes College Of William And Mary one of the top schools for political science. College Of William And Mary is a large public school located in the suburb of Williamsburg. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 126 political science degrees were awarded at College Of William And Mary in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science program make about $41,317 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in political science from College Of William And Mary
James Madison University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best political science schools. James Madison University is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. About 80% of students finish within six years. About 128 political science degrees were awarded at James Madison University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from James Madison University generally make around $55,435. James Madison University graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans.
See the full political science program report for James Madison University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #4 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Blacksburg. About 86% of students finish within six years. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University awarded about 212 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $42,114 early in their careers. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans.
More information about a degree in political science from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
George Mason University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best political science schools. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. George Mason University awarded about 18 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $45,846. Typical student debt for the program is $22,000.
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University Of Richmond placed #6 among the best political science schools. University Of Richmond is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of University of Richmond. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. University Of Richmond awarded about 32 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science degree from University Of Richmond earn around $43,253 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,080 to complete this degree.
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Washington And Lee University placed #7 among the best political science schools. Washington And Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Lexington. Washington And Lee University graduates 94% of students within six years. There were roughly 32 political science students who graduated with this degree at Washington And Lee University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Washington And Lee University generally make around $76,810. Students borrow a median of $20,074 to complete this degree.
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Christopher Newport University placed #8 among the best political science schools. Located in the city of Newport News, Christopher Newport University is a mid-sized public university. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 50 political science degrees were awarded at Christopher Newport University in the most recent year. Political Science graduates of Christopher Newport University earn a median of $43,508 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in political science from Christopher Newport University
Virginia Commonwealth University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best political science schools. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public institution. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. Virginia Commonwealth University awarded about 127 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Virginia Commonwealth University generally make around $34,080. Students borrow a median of $21,376 to complete this degree.
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Radford University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best political science schools. Set in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public institution. About 49% of students finish within six years. About 24 political science degrees were awarded at Radford University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Radford University generally make around $27,136. Radford University graduates carry a median of $23,235 in student loans.
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University Of Mary Washington landed the #11 spot for political science this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the suburb of Fredericksburg. About 66% of students finish within six years. About 27 political science degrees were awarded at University Of Mary Washington in the most recent year. Students who receive their political science degree from University Of Mary Washington earn around $35,687 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,899.
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Marymount University placed #12 among the best political science schools. Located in the city of Arlington, Marymount University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 54% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 13 political science students who graduated with this degree at Marymount University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science degree from Marymount University earn around $41,186 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,880.
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Old Dominion University placed #13 among the best political science schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Norfolk. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. About 38 political science degrees were awarded at Old Dominion University in the most recent year. Political Science graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $31,700 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,531 to complete this degree.
See the full political science program report for Old Dominion University
Randolph Macon College landed the #14 spot for political science this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Ashland. Randolph Macon College graduates 70% of students within six years. Randolph Macon College awarded about 13 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $41,684 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
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Hampden Sydney College earned the #15 position for political science this year. Hampden Sydney College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Hampden-Sydney. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 17 political science students who graduated with this degree at Hampden Sydney College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $37,123 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
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Liberty University landed the #16 spot for political science this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Lynchburg. Liberty University graduates 67% of students within six years. Liberty University awarded about 161 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Liberty University generally make around $46,508. Liberty University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in political science from Liberty University
Longwood University came in at #17 for political science this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Farmville. Longwood University graduates 61% of students within six years. Longwood University awarded about 16 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Longwood University generally make around $43,800. Typical student debt for the program is $25,649.
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Norfolk State University came in at #18 for political science this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Norfolk State University is a moderately-sized public university. About 39% of students finish within six years. Norfolk State University awarded about 22 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science degree from Norfolk State University earn around $54,971 in the first couple years of their career.
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Hampton University earned the #19 position for political science this year. Located in the suburb of Hampton, Hampton University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 57% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 30 political science students who graduated with this degree at Hampton University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $37,200 in their early career. Hampton University graduates carry a median of $26,250 in student loans.
See the full political science program report for Hampton University
Virginia State University earned the #20 position for political science this year. Located in the suburb of Petersburg, Virginia State University is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 39%. There were roughly 17 political science students who graduated with this degree at Virginia State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Virginia State University generally make around $40,620. Typical student debt for the program is $27,127.
See the full political science program report for Virginia State University
Regent University came in at #21 for political science this year. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. Regent University awarded about 12 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of Regent University earn a median of $64,493 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $29,451 to complete this degree.
See the full political science program report for Regent University
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 21 schools evaluated.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.