2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k
18
Ranked Colleges
1,786
Degrees Awarded
$15,600
Avg Net Price*
When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Political Science Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.
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.
For this year’s “Best Value Political Science Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 18 colleges that offer a degree in political science and government. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent political science and government programs, but they also cost less that 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
One Size Does Not Fit All
The political science school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Political Science Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k”.
We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons 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 Political Science Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k
The colleges and universities below are the best for virginia political science students whose families make $30-$48k.
Top 18 Best Value Colleges for Political Science & Government (Income $30-$48k) in Virginia
Out of the 18 schools in the Best Value Political Science Schools 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 is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Lexington, Virginia. It awarded 59 ’s political science degrees 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. The yearly cost to attend Washington and Lee is $850 for virginia political science students whose families make $30-$48k.
The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Political Science & Government at Washington and Lee University
Out of the 18 schools in the Best Value Political Science Schools 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 170 diplomas to qualified ’s political science students in 2020-2021.
William & Mary did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Virginia” list. The estimated yearly cost for William & Mary is $7,507 for virginia political science students whose families make $30-$48k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. 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%.
Full William & Mary Political Science & Government Report
Out of the 18 schools in the Best Value Political Science Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Virginia - Main Campus landed the #3 spot on the list. Charlottesville, Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s political science degrees to 114 students in 2020-2021.
University of Virginia also took the #1 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $10,063 for virginia political science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Virginia.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full University of Virginia - Main Campus Political Science & Government Report
Out of the 18 schools in the Best Value Political Science Schools 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. URichmond is a small school located in University of Richmond, Virginia that handed out 41 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our virginia political science students whose families make $30-$48k list, URichmond has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $8,606 for virginia political science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend URichmond.
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. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% 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 University of Richmond Political Science & Government Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Virginia Tech. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Political Science Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k. Virginia Tech is a public institution located in Blacksburg, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 200 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Virginia Tech also took the #2 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $14,003 for virginia political science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Virginia Tech.
The undergrad 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%.
Read full report on Political Science & Government at Virginia Tech
James Madison University landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. James Madison University is a large public school situated in Harrisonburg, Virginia. It awarded 130 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.
JMU also took the #6 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Virginia” ranking. The yearly cost to attend James Madison University is $14,985 for Virginia Political Science students whose families make $30-$48k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. 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%.
Full James Madison University Political Science & Government Report
George Mason University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. George Mason University is a large school located in Fairfax, Virginia that handed out 217 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.
GMU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Virginia” list. The yearly cost to attend George Mason University is $15,979 for Virginia Political Science students whose families make $30-$48k.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.
Read more about Political Science & Government at GMU
With a ranking of #8, University of Mary Washington did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Mary Washington is a public institution located in Fredericksburg, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 44 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UMW also took the #12 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $16,459 for virginia political science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Mary Washington.
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%.
Full University of Mary Washington Political Science & Government Report
Old Dominion University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Norfolk, Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s political science degrees to 44 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Old Dominion, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Virginia” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Old Dominion is $13,574 for Virginia Political Science students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read more about Political Science & Government at Old Dominion University
Radford University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Radford, Virginia, this medium-sized public school handed out 23 diplomas to qualified ’s political science students in 2020-2021.
Radford also made our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Virginia” list, coming in at #16. The yearly cost to attend Radford University is $13,026 for virginia political science students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read more about Political Science & Government at Radford
With a ranking of #11, Christopher Newport University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k list. Christopher Newport University is a small public school situated in Newport News, Virginia. It awarded 87 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.
CNU also made our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Virginia” list, coming in at #8. It costs about $15,990 for Virginia Political Science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend CNU.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% 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 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Political Science & Government at Christopher Newport University
Virginia Commonwealth University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #12. Richmond, Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s political science degrees to 201 students in 2020-2021.
VCU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Virginia” list. The yearly cost to attend VCU is $15,891 for Virginia Political Science students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% 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 more about Political Science & Government at VCU
With a ranking of #13, Regent University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k list. Regent is a fairly large school located in Virginia Beach, Virginia that handed out 32 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our virginia political science students whose families make $30-$48k list, Regent has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Virginia” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Regent is $20,707 for virginia political science students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Political Science & Government at Regent
Roanoke College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Political Science Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This small school is located in Salem, Virginia, and it awarded 20 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.
Roanoke also made our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Virginia” list, coming in at #10. It costs about $20,849 for Virginia Political Science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Roanoke.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Roanoke Political Science & Government Report
Randolph - Macon College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k list. Randolph - Macon College is a small school located in Ashland, Virginia that handed out 14 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.
Randolph - Macon also took the #13 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Virginia” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Randolph - Macon is $20,027 for Virginia Political Science students whose families make $30-$48k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% 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 Randolph - Macon Political Science & Government Report
With a ranking of #16, Virginia State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Political Science Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k list. Virginia State University is located in Petersburg, Virginia and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 20 ’s political science degrees to qualified students.
Virginia State also took the #18 spot in our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $16,672 for Virginia Political Science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Virginia State.
Read full report on Political Science & Government at Virginia State
Liberty University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k list. Liberty University is a large school located in Lynchburg, Virginia that handed out 177 ’s political science degrees in 2020-2021.
Liberty University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Political Science & Government Schools in Virginia” list. The yearly cost to attend Liberty University is $27,251 for virginia political science students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read more about Political Science & Government at Liberty University
Hampden - Sydney College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Political Science Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k list. Hampden-Sydney, 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.
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 $27,931 for Virginia Political Science students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. 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%.
Read more about Political Science & Government at Hampden - Sydney
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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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