2026 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in West Virginia
[Political Science & Government](/majors/social-sciences/political-science-and-government/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong political science & government education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 12 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value political science & government schools.
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Featured Political Science & Government Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
BA in Political Science
Gain a solid understanding of American political history, the current political landscape, and the major political parties with this online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.
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2026 Best Value Political Science & Government Schools in West Virginia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in political science & government, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Political Science & Government Schools
American Public University System tops our 2026 list of the best value political science & government schools in West Virginia. Set in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400. Students borrow a median of $18,304 to complete the political science & government program here. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $63,036. Set against $18,304 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Marshall University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science & government, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,162, compared with $20,342 for out-of-state students. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $24,233 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $52,481. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Marshall University admits about 96% of applicants.
Shepherd University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in political science & government, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Shepherdstown, Shepherd University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,056, while out-of-state students pay about $19,082. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $23,326 in student loans. Early-career political science & government graduates make about $40,748. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at West Virginia University earned it the #4 place for political science & government. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $30,286 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Charleston one of the best values for political science & government. Set in the city of Charleston, University Of Charleston is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $22,617 in tuition and fees. Political Science & Government graduates carry a median of $22,646 in student loans. Political Science & Government graduates of University Of Charleston earn a median of $64,407 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 62%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
