2027 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in Virginia
[Political Science & Government](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 21 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for political science & government students.
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2027 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in Virginia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in political science & government, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Political Science & Government Schools
For return on investment in political science & government, no school beat Radford University this year. Located in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,548, while out-of-state students pay about $25,633. Students borrow a median of $23,235 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Radford University generally make around $27,136. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Old Dominion University one of the best values for political science & government. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,750, with out-of-state students paying around $33,780. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $24,531 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $31,700 early in their careers. Set against $24,531 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in political science & government will find it at George Mason University, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,220 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $22,000. Political Science & Government graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $45,846 early in their careers. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Students looking for strong value in political science & government will find it at Norfolk State University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Norfolk, Norfolk State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,180, with out-of-state students paying around $21,682. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Norfolk State University generally make around $54,971. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
College Of William And Mary came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. College Of William And Mary is a large public school located in the suburb of Williamsburg. Students from in state pay about $25,734 in tuition and fees, compared with $51,038 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from College Of William And Mary generally make around $41,317. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. College Of William And Mary admits about 34% of applicants.
Virginia State University earned the #6 position for value in political science & government this year. Set in the suburb of Petersburg, Virginia State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,043, while out-of-state students pay about $22,650. Students borrow a median of $27,127 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Virginia State University earn a median of $40,620 early in their careers. Set against $27,127 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Virginia State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Longwood University placed #7 among the best values for political science & government. Longwood University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Farmville. Students from in state pay about $15,740 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,980. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $25,649. Political Science & Government graduates of Longwood University earn a median of $43,800 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,649 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Virginia Main Campus ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,118, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $18,015 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $45,875 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,015 median debt. The acceptance rate is 17%.
University Of Mary Washington ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Located in the suburb of Fredericksburg, University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,905, with out-of-state students paying around $28,083. Students borrow a median of $24,899 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Mary Washington earn a median of $35,687 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,899 median debt. University Of Mary Washington admits about 80% of applicants.
Regent University came in at #10 for value in political science & government this year. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,650. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $29,451. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Regent University generally make around $64,493. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Regent University admits about 38% of applicants.
Hampden Sydney College earned the #11 position for value in political science & government this year. Set in the rural area of Hampden-Sydney, Hampden Sydney College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $54,550. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Hampden Sydney College generally make around $37,123. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Hampden Sydney College admits about 41% of applicants.
Christopher Newport University came in at #12 for value in political science & government this year. Set in the city of Newport News, Christopher Newport University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,828, with out-of-state students paying around $31,178. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $23,250. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Christopher Newport University generally make around $43,508. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
James Madison University came in at #13 for value in political science & government this year. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,966, with out-of-state students paying around $31,312. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $55,435 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. James Madison University admits about 72% of applicants.
Virginia Commonwealth University earned the #14 position for value in political science & government this year. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,720 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $39,884. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $21,376. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $34,080. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Virginia Commonwealth University admits about 93% of applicants.
Washington And Lee University landed the #15 spot for political science & government value this year. Set in the town of Lexington, Washington And Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,045. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $20,074 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Washington And Lee University generally make around $76,810. Set against $20,074 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Washington And Lee University admits about 14% of applicants.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University placed #16 among the best values for political science & government. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,948 in tuition and fees, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $42,114 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University admits about 55% of applicants.
Hampton University landed the #17 spot for political science & government value this year. Hampton University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hampton. In-state tuition and fees average $30,592. Students borrow a median of $26,250 to complete the political science & government program here. Political Science & Government graduates of Hampton University earn a median of $37,200 early in their careers. Set against $26,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Randolph Macon College earned the #18 position for value in political science & government this year. Set in the suburb of Ashland, Randolph Macon College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $49,466. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the political science & government program here. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $41,684. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Marymount University placed #19 among the best values for political science & government. Set in the city of Arlington, Marymount University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,120. Typical student debt for political science & government graduates is $26,880. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $41,186. That is a strong return on a $26,880 median debt. Marymount University admits about 93% of applicants.
Liberty University landed the #20 spot for political science & government value this year. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,173. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $46,508. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
University Of Richmond ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value political science & government schools. Set in the city of University of Richmond, University Of Richmond is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,230. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $23,080 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Richmond earn a median of $43,253 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,080 median debt. Roughly 22% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 ranked schools only.
- 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.
