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2027 Best Political Science & Government Schools in Virginia

21 Colleges in the United States
1,383 Political Science & Government Degrees Awarded
$44,302 Avg Early-Career Salary

Political Science & Government degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 21 schools to find the best for political science & government students.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Political Science & Government in Virginia

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the political science & government degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Political Science & Government

1

Leading the list is University Of Virginia Main Campus, our #1 school for political science & government. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 90 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $45,875 early in their careers. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates carry a median of $18,015 in student loans. Read more about the political science & government program at University Of Virginia Main Campus

2

College Of William And Mary came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best political science & government schools. Located in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public university. About 89% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 126 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at College Of William And Mary in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of College Of William And Mary earn a median of $41,317 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500. Read more about the political science & government program at College Of William And Mary

3
James Madison University crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in political science & government, ranking #3. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. About 128 political science & government degrees were awarded at James Madison University in the most recent year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from James Madison University earn around $55,435 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,000. Read more about the political science & government program at James Madison University

4

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best political science & government schools. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University awarded about 213 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $42,114 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete this degree. Read more about the political science & government program at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

5

Students looking for a strong political science & government program will find one at George Mason University, which ranked #5. 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 193 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $45,846. Typical student debt for the program is $22,000. Get the full political science & government details for George Mason University

6
University Of Richmond crest
University Of Richmond
University of Richmond, VA

University Of Richmond earned the #6 position for political science & government this year. University Of Richmond is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of University of Richmond. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Richmond awarded about 32 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from University Of Richmond earn around $43,253 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Richmond graduates carry a median of $23,080 in student loans. Get the full political science & government details for University Of Richmond

7

Washington And Lee University placed #7 among the best political science & government schools. Located in the town of Lexington, Washington And Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 94% of students finish within six years. Washington And Lee University awarded about 32 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $76,810 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,074 to complete this degree. See the full political science & government program report for Washington And Lee University

8

Christopher Newport University earned the #8 position for political science & government this year. Set in the city of Newport News, Christopher Newport University is a mid-sized public institution. Christopher Newport University graduates 72% of students within six years. There were roughly 50 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Christopher Newport University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Christopher Newport University generally make around $43,508. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in political science & government from Christopher Newport University

9

Virginia Commonwealth University landed the #9 spot for political science & government this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Richmond. About 63% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 127 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Commonwealth University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from Virginia Commonwealth University earn around $34,080 in the first couple years of their career. Virginia Commonwealth University graduates carry a median of $21,376 in student loans. Get the full political science & government details for Virginia Commonwealth University

10
Radford University crest
Radford University
Radford, VA

Radford University came in at #10 for political science & government this year. Located in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. There were roughly 24 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Radford University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Radford University generally make around $27,136. Typical student debt for the program is $23,235. Read more about the political science & government program at Radford University

11
University Of Mary Washington crest
University Of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, VA

University Of Mary Washington ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best political science & government schools. University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Fredericksburg. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. About 27 political science & government degrees were awarded at University Of Mary Washington in the most recent year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from University Of Mary Washington earn around $35,687 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Mary Washington graduates carry a median of $24,899 in student loans. Read more about the political science & government program at University Of Mary Washington

12
Marymount University crest
Marymount University
Arlington, VA

Marymount University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best political science & government schools. Marymount University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Arlington. Marymount University graduates 54% of students within six years. About 13 political science & government degrees were awarded at Marymount University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Marymount University generally make around $41,186. Students borrow a median of $26,880 to complete this degree. See the full political science & government program report for Marymount University

13

Old Dominion University came in at #13 for political science & government this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public university. Old Dominion University graduates 46% of students within six years. There were roughly 38 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Old Dominion University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from Old Dominion University earn around $31,700 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,531. Read more about the political science & government program at Old Dominion University

14

Randolph Macon College earned the #14 position for political science & government this year. Randolph Macon College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Ashland. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 13 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Randolph Macon College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Randolph Macon College generally make around $41,684. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in political science & government from Randolph Macon College

15
Hampden Sydney College crest
Hampden Sydney College
Hampden-Sydney, VA

Hampden Sydney College came in at #15 for political science & government this year. Set in the rural area of Hampden-Sydney, Hampden Sydney College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 17 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Hampden Sydney College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from Hampden Sydney College earn around $37,123 in the first couple years of their career. Hampden Sydney College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full political science & government details for Hampden Sydney College

16
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University placed #16 among the best political science & government schools. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 67% of students finish within six years. Liberty University awarded about 161 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of Liberty University earn a median of $46,508 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full political science & government program report for Liberty University

17
Longwood University crest
Longwood University
Farmville, VA

Longwood University placed #17 among the best political science & government schools. Set in the town of Farmville, Longwood University is a moderately-sized public institution. Longwood University graduates 61% of students within six years. There were roughly 16 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Longwood University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Longwood University generally make around $43,800. Longwood University graduates carry a median of $25,649 in student loans. Read more about the political science & government program at Longwood University

18

Norfolk State University earned the #18 position for political science & government this year. Norfolk State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Norfolk. Norfolk State University graduates 39% of students within six years. Norfolk State University awarded about 22 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of Norfolk State University earn a median of $54,971 early in their careers. More information about a degree in political science & government from Norfolk State University

19
Hampton University crest
Hampton University
Hampton, VA

Hampton University came in at #19 for political science & government this year. Set in the suburb of Hampton, Hampton University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Hampton University graduates 57% of students within six years. About 30 political science & government degrees were awarded at Hampton University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Hampton University generally make around $37,200. Students borrow a median of $26,250 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in political science & government from Hampton University

20

Virginia State University landed the #20 spot for political science & government this year. Located in the suburb of Petersburg, Virginia State University is a moderately-sized public university. Virginia State University graduates 39% of students within six years. There were roughly 17 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Virginia State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $40,620 in their early career. Virginia State University graduates carry a median of $27,127 in student loans. More information about a degree in political science & government from Virginia State University

21
Regent University crest
Regent University
Virginia Beach, VA

Regent University placed #21 among the best political science & government schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Virginia Beach. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 14 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Regent University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $64,493 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $29,451 to complete this degree. Get the full political science & government details for Regent University

View All Political Science & Government Rankings >

Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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