2023 Best Value Colleges for Political Science (Income $75-$110k) in Virginia
18
Ranked Colleges
1,575
Degrees Awarded
$23,900
Avg Net Price*
With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Virginia For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking is part of that endeavor.
In 2020-2021, 47,549 people earned their degree in political science, making the major the 13th most popular in the United States.
Across Virginia, there were 1,575 political science graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Virginia For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking analyzed 18 colleges that offered a degree in political science. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great political science programs and 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 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
When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Virginia For Those Making $75-$110k” list to help you make the college 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 Poly Sci Schools in Virginia For Those Making $75-$110k
The colleges and universities below are the best for virginia poly sci students whose families make $75-$110k.
Top 18 Best Value Colleges for Political Science (Income $75-$110k) in Virginia
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Washington and Lee University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Virginia For Those Making $75-$110k list. Washington and Lee University is located in Lexington, Virginia and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 59 ’s poly sci degrees to qualified students.
Washington and Lee not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Political Science Schools in Virginia” list. The estimated yearly cost for Washington and Lee University is $13,860 for Virginia Poly Sci students whose families make $75-$110k.
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. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full Washington and Lee Political Science Report
Out of the 18 schools in the Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Virginia For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Virginia - Main Campus landed the #2 spot on the list. University of Virginia - Main Campus is a large school located in Charlottesville, Virginia that handed out 114 ’s poly sci degrees in 2020-2021.
University of Virginia also made our “Best Political Science Schools in Virginia” list, coming in at #1. The yearly cost to attend University of Virginia is $22,021 for virginia poly sci students whose families make $75-$110k.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%.
Full University of Virginia Political Science Report
Out of the 18 schools in the Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Virginia For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, William & Mary landed the #3 spot on the list. William & Mary is located in Williamsburg, Virginia and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 170 ’s poly sci degrees to qualified students.
William & Mary did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Political Science Schools in Virginia” list. It costs about $19,472 for Virginia Poly Sci students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend William & Mary.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. 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%.
Full William & Mary Political Science Report
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 Poly Sci Schools in Virginia For Those Making $75-$110k. This large school is located in Blacksburg, Virginia, and it awarded 200 ’s poly sci degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our virginia poly sci students whose families make $75-$110k list, Virginia Tech has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Political Science Schools in Virginia” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Virginia Tech is $23,999 for virginia poly sci students whose families make $75-$110k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.2% 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 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Political Science at Virginia Tech
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend James Madison University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Virginia For Those Making $75-$110k. James Madison University is located in Harrisonburg, Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 130 ’s poly sci degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at JMU, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Political Science Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $24,471 for virginia poly sci students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend James Madison University.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, 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 89%.
Full James Madison University Political Science Report
University of Richmond did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Virginia For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #6. University of Richmond is a small private not-for-profit school situated in University of Richmond, Virginia. It awarded 41 ’s poly sci degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our virginia poly sci students whose families make $75-$110k list, URichmond has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Political Science Schools in Virginia” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for URichmond is $22,625 for Virginia Poly Sci students whose families make $75-$110k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. 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%. 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 at University of Richmond
Regent University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Virginia For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #7. Regent University is a fairly large school located in Virginia Beach, Virginia that handed out 30 ’s poly sci degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Regent, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Political Science Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $29,646 for Virginia Poly Sci students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Regent.
Full Regent Political Science Report
George Mason University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Virginia For Those Making $75-$110k list. This large school is located in Fairfax, Virginia, and it awarded 10 ’s poly sci degrees in 2020-2021.
GMU also took the #7 spot in our “Best Political Science Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $22,013 for Virginia Poly Sci students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend GMU.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Political Science at George Mason University
Old Dominion University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Virginia For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Old Dominion is a large public school situated in Norfolk, Virginia. It awarded 44 ’s poly sci degrees in 2020-2021.
Old Dominion not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Political Science Schools in Virginia” list. The yearly cost to attend Old Dominion is $20,919 for virginia poly sci students whose families make $75-$110k.
Read full report on Political Science at Old Dominion
Virginia Commonwealth University landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Virginia For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. This large school is located in Richmond, Virginia, and it awarded 201 ’s poly sci degrees in 2020-2021.
VCU also made our “Best Political Science Schools in Virginia” list, coming in at #9. The yearly cost to attend Virginia Commonwealth University is $23,030 for Virginia Poly Sci students whose families make $75-$110k.
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 full report on Political Science at Virginia Commonwealth University
Radford University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Virginia For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #11. Radford, Virginia is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s poly sci degrees to 23 students in 2020-2021.
Radford also made our “Best Political Science Schools in Virginia” list, coming in at #16. The yearly cost to attend Radford University is $20,541 for Virginia Poly Sci students whose families make $75-$110k.
Read full report on Political Science at Radford
With a ranking of #12, Christopher Newport University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Virginia For Those Making $75-$110k list. Christopher Newport University is a small public school situated in Newport News, Virginia. It awarded 87 ’s poly sci degrees in 2020-2021.
CNU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Political Science Schools in Virginia” list. It costs about $26,574 for Virginia Poly Sci students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Christopher Newport University.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Political Science at Christopher Newport University
Roanoke College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Virginia For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Salem, Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s poly sci degrees to 20 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Roanoke, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Political Science Schools in Virginia” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Roanoke College is $28,042 for virginia poly sci students whose families make $75-$110k.
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%.
Full Roanoke Political Science Report
University of Mary Washington landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Virginia For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Fredericksburg, Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s poly sci degrees to 44 students in 2020-2021.
UMW not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Political Science Schools in Virginia” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Mary Washington is $27,339 for virginia poly sci students whose families make $75-$110k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Political Science at UMW
Randolph - Macon College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Virginia For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Randolph - Macon College is located in Ashland, Virginia and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 14 ’s poly sci degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our virginia poly sci students whose families make $75-$110k list, Randolph - Macon has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Political Science Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $25,877 for Virginia Poly Sci students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Randolph - Macon.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.
Full Randolph - Macon College Political Science Report
Virginia State University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Virginia For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Virginia State is a small public school situated in Petersburg, Virginia. It awarded 20 ’s poly sci degrees in 2020-2021.
Virginia State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Political Science Schools in Virginia” list. It costs about $20,708 for Virginia Poly Sci students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Virginia State.
Read full report on Political Science at Virginia State University
Liberty University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Virginia For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #17. Liberty University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Lynchburg, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 177 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Liberty University also made our “Best Political Science Schools in Virginia” list, coming in at #11. The estimated yearly cost for Liberty University is $28,443 for Virginia Poly Sci students whose families make $75-$110k.
Read more about Political Science at Liberty University
Hampden - Sydney College landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Poly Sci Schools in Virginia For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Hampden - Sydney College is located in Hampden-Sydney, Virginia and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 20 ’s poly sci degrees to qualified students.
Hampden - Sydney also made our “Best Political Science Schools in Virginia” list, coming in at #15. The yearly cost to attend Hampden - Sydney College is $31,153 for Virginia Poly Sci students whose families make $75-$110k.
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%. 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.
Read more about Political Science at Hampden - Sydney College
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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.
Credits
