2027 Best Value Political Science Schools in Virginia
[Political Science](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/political-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 21 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value political science schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Political Science Schools in Virginia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in political science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Political Science Schools
Radford University earned the #1 spot for value among political science schools in Virginia. Set in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,548, with out-of-state students paying around $25,633. Students borrow a median of $23,235 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Radford University generally make around $27,136. Set against $23,235 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Old Dominion University one of the best values for political science. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,750, compared with $33,780 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $24,531. Political Science graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $31,700 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,531 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Students looking for strong value in political science 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,220, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Political Science graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $45,846 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Norfolk State University earned it the #4 place for political science. Norfolk State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Norfolk. Students from in state pay about $10,180 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,682 for out-of-state students. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Norfolk State University generally make around $54,971. Norfolk State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in political science will find it at College Of William And Mary, which ranked #5. College Of William And Mary is a large public school located in the suburb of Williamsburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,734, with out-of-state students paying around $51,038. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $41,317. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. College Of William And Mary admits about 34% of applicants.
Virginia State University earned the #6 position for value in political science this year. Located in the suburb of Petersburg, Virginia State University is a moderately-sized public university. 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 program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Virginia State University generally make around $40,620. That is a strong return on a $27,127 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Longwood University landed the #7 spot for political science value this year. Located in the town of Farmville, Longwood University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $15,740 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,980. Students borrow a median of $25,649 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $43,800. That is a strong return on a $25,649 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Virginia Main Campus came in at #8 for value in political science this year. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,118, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. Political Science graduates carry a median of $18,015 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $45,875. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Virginia Main Campus admits about 17% of applicants.
University Of Mary Washington landed the #9 spot for political science value this year. University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Fredericksburg. 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 program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $35,687. Set against $24,899 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Regent University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Regent University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $21,650. Students borrow a median of $29,451 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Regent University generally make around $64,493. Set against $29,451 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Regent University admits about 38% of applicants.
Hampden Sydney College came in at #11 for value in political science this year. Hampden Sydney College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Hampden-Sydney. In-state tuition and fees average $54,550. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Hampden Sydney College generally make around $37,123. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 41%.
Christopher Newport University placed #12 among the best values for political science. Located in the city of Newport News, Christopher Newport University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,828, while out-of-state students pay about $31,178. Political Science graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Christopher Newport University earn a median of $43,508 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
James Madison University landed the #13 spot for political science value this year. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,966, while out-of-state students pay about $31,312. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $20,000. Early-career political science graduates make about $55,435. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Commonwealth University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value political science schools. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,720 in tuition and fees, compared with $39,884 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $21,376 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $34,080 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,376 median debt. Virginia Commonwealth University admits about 93% of applicants.
Washington And Lee University landed the #15 spot for political science value this year. Located in the town of Lexington, Washington And Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,045. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $20,074. Early-career political science graduates make about $76,810. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Washington And Lee University admits about 14% of applicants.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University landed the #16 spot for political science value this year. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $42,114 early in their careers. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Hampton University earned the #17 position for value in political science this year. Located in the suburb of Hampton, Hampton University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,592. Students borrow a median of $26,250 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Hampton University generally make around $37,200. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Randolph Macon College earned the #18 position for value in political science this year. Set in the suburb of Ashland, Randolph Macon College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $49,466 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $41,684. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Marymount University placed #19 among the best values for political science. Set in the city of Arlington, Marymount University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,120. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $26,880. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Marymount University generally make around $41,186. That is a strong return on a $26,880 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Liberty University earned the #20 position for value in political science this year. Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,173. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of Liberty University earn a median of $46,508 early in their careers. 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 schools. Located in the city of University of Richmond, University Of Richmond is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,230 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,080 to complete the political science program here. Political Science graduates of University Of Richmond earn a median of $43,253 early in their careers. Set against $23,080 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 22% of applicants are accepted.
More Political Science Rankings
View All Political Science Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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.
