2023 Best Value Colleges for Political Science & Government (Income $0-$30k) in Virginia
18
Ranked Colleges
1,786
Degrees Awarded
$15,000
Avg Net Price*
Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Political Science Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking.
In 2020-2021, 49,282 people earned their degree in political science and government, making the major the 20th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, political science and government graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $34,387 and had an average of $23,175 in loans still to pay off.
Across Virginia, there were 1,786 political science and government graduates with average earnings and debt of $37,500 and $25,463 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Political Science Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 18 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in political science and government. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality political science and government programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.
Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the political science and government program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. 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 Political Science Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k” 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. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.
Best Value Political Science Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Political Science Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k.
Top 18 Best Value Colleges for Political Science & Government (Income $0-$30k) in Virginia
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Washington and Lee University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Political Science Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k. Lexington, Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s political science degrees to 59 students in 2020-2021.
Washington and Lee did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Virginia” list. It costs about $205 for Virginia Political Science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Washington and Lee University.
With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.4% 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%. The undergraduate 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 more about Political Science & Government at Washington and Lee University
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend William & Mary. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k list. William & Mary is a public institution located in Williamsburg, Virginia. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 170 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
William & Mary not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Virginia” list. The yearly cost to attend William & Mary is $5,972 for Virginia Political Science students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Political Science & Government at William & Mary
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Virginia - Main Campus. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Political Science Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Charlottesville, Virginia, this large public school awarded 114 diplomas to qualified ’s political science students in 2020-2021.
University of Virginia also took the #1 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Virginia” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Virginia is $12,476 for Virginia Political Science students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Political Science & Government at University of Virginia - Main Campus
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Virginia Tech. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Political Science Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k. Virginia Tech is a large public school situated in Blacksburg, Virginia. It awarded 200 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our virginia political science students whose families make $0-$30k list, Virginia Tech has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Virginia” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Virginia Tech is $11,934 for Virginia Political Science students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full Virginia Tech Political Science & Government Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Richmond. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in University of Richmond, Virginia, and it awarded 41 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.
URichmond also made our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Virginia” list, coming in at #7. The estimated yearly cost for University of Richmond is $8,010 for virginia political science students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.
Read more about Political Science & Government at University of Richmond
With a ranking of #6, James Madison University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k list. James Madison University is located in Harrisonburg, Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 130 ’s political science degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our virginia political science students whose families make $0-$30k list, JMU has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Virginia” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for JMU is $14,288 for Virginia Political Science students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full James Madison University Political Science & Government Report
George Mason University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Fairfax, Virginia, and it awarded 217 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.
GMU also took the #5 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Virginia” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for George Mason University is $14,781 for Virginia Political Science students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Political Science & Government at George Mason University
University of Mary Washington came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UMW is a small public school situated in Fredericksburg, Virginia. It awarded 44 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.
UMW also took the #12 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Virginia” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Mary Washington is $14,589 for virginia political science students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% 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%.
Read full report on Political Science & Government at UMW
Old Dominion University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Old Dominion is located in Norfolk, Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 44 ’s political science degrees to qualified students.
Old Dominion also made our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Virginia” list, coming in at #14. The yearly cost to attend Old Dominion is $13,335 for virginia political science students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full Old Dominion Political Science & Government Report
With a ranking of #10, Christopher Newport University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k list. CNU is a small school located in Newport News, Virginia that handed out 87 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our virginia political science students whose families make $0-$30k list, CNU has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $15,862 for virginia political science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Christopher Newport University.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.
Read full report on Political Science & Government at CNU
Virginia Commonwealth University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Virginia Commonwealth University is located in Richmond, Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 201 ’s political science degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our virginia political science students whose families make $0-$30k list, VCU has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $14,507 for virginia political science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend VCU.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Political Science & Government at Virginia Commonwealth University
Radford University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Radford, Virginia is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s political science degrees to 23 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our virginia political science students whose families make $0-$30k list, Radford has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Virginia” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Radford is $11,420 for virginia political science students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Political Science & Government at Radford University
Roanoke College landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Salem, Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s political science degrees to 20 students in 2020-2021.
Roanoke also took the #10 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $20,495 for virginia political science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Roanoke College.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Political Science & Government at Roanoke College
Regent University landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Regent University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Virginia Beach, Virginia. It awarded 32 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.
Regent not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Virginia” list. It costs about $20,479 for Virginia Political Science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Regent University.
Read full report on Political Science & Government at Regent University
With a ranking of #15, Randolph - Macon College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Ashland, Virginia, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 14 degrees to qualified ’s political science students in 2020-2021.
Randolph - Macon did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Virginia” list. It costs about $20,454 for virginia political science students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Randolph - Macon.
With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Political Science & Government at Randolph - Macon
Virginia State University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Petersburg, Virginia, this small public school awarded 20 diplomas to qualified ’s political science students in 2020-2021.
Virginia State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Virginia” list. The estimated yearly cost for Virginia State University is $15,823 for virginia political science students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full Virginia State University Political Science & Government Report
With a ranking of #17, Hampden - Sydney College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k list. Hampden - Sydney College is a small school located in Hampden-Sydney, Virginia that handed out 20 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.
Hampden - Sydney not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Virginia” list. The estimated yearly cost for Hampden - Sydney College is $25,847 for virginia political science students whose families make $0-$30k.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.7% 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 & Government Report
With a ranking of #18, Liberty University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k list. Liberty University is located in Lynchburg, Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 177 ’s political science degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our virginia political science students whose families make $0-$30k list, Liberty University has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Virginia” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Liberty University is $29,786 for virginia political science students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Political Science & Government 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
- *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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