2026 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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong political science education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 37 schools to find the best return on investment for political science students.
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2026 Best Value Political Science Schools in Virginia
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the political science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Political Science Schools
For return on investment in political science, no school beat Old Dominion University this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,750, while out-of-state students pay about $33,780. Political Science graduates carry a median of $24,531 in student loans. Political Science 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.
A rank of #2 makes George Mason University one of the best values for political science. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $45,846. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Norfolk State University earned it the #3 place for political science. Norfolk State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Norfolk. In-state tuition and fees average $10,180, with out-of-state students paying around $21,682. Political Science graduates of Norfolk State University earn a median of $54,971 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 88%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Radford University earned it the #4 place for political science. Radford University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Radford. Students from in state pay about $12,548 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,633 for out-of-state students. Political Science graduates carry a median of $23,235 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Radford University generally make around $27,136. That is a strong return on a $23,235 median debt. Radford University admits about 90% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in political science will find it at Virginia State University, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Petersburg, Virginia State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,043, with out-of-state students paying around $22,650. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $27,127. Early-career political science graduates make about $40,620. That is a strong return on a $27,127 median debt. Virginia State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Virginia Commonwealth University placed #6 among the best values for political science. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,720, compared with $39,884 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $21,376. Early-career political science graduates make about $34,080. Set against $21,376 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
James Madison University earned the #7 position for value in political science this year. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,966, with out-of-state students paying around $31,312. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $20,000. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from James Madison University generally make around $55,435. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. James Madison University admits about 72% of applicants.
Regent University landed the #8 spot for political science value this year. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $21,650. Students borrow a median of $29,451 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $64,493. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mary Washington ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value political science 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, compared with $28,083 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $24,899. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from University Of Mary Washington generally make around $35,687. Set against $24,899 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Mary Washington admits about 80% of applicants.
Virginia Wesleyan College placed #10 among the best values for political science. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Virginia Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $37,500. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $27,925. Early-career political science graduates make about $45,517. That is a strong return on a $27,925 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Longwood University landed the #11 spot for political science value this year. Longwood University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Farmville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,740, while out-of-state students pay about $27,980. Students borrow a median of $25,649 to complete the political science program here. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Longwood University generally make around $43,800. Set against $25,649 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Christopher Newport University earned the #12 position for value in political science this year. Christopher Newport University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Newport News. Students from in state pay about $16,828 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,178 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $23,250. Early-career political science graduates make about $43,508. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Christopher Newport University admits about 86% of applicants.
College Of William And Mary ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value political science 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, while out-of-state students pay about $51,038. Political Science graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from College Of William And Mary generally make around $41,317. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 34%.
University Of Virginia Main Campus ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value political science 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. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $18,015. Early-career political science graduates make about $45,875. Set against $18,015 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 17%.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earned the #15 position for value in political science this year. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University admits about 55% of applicants.
Washington And Lee University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $20,074 to complete the political science program here. Early-career political science graduates make about $76,810. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 14%.
Hampden Sydney College placed #17 among the best values for political science. Set in the rural area of Hampden-Sydney, Hampden Sydney College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $54,550. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $27,000. Early-career political science graduates make about $37,123. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 41% of applicants are accepted.
Randolph Macon College landed the #18 spot for political science value this year. Randolph Macon College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Ashland. Students from in state pay about $49,466 in tuition and fees. Political Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $41,684. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Randolph Macon College admits about 87% of applicants.
Roanoke College came in at #19 for value in political science this year. Set in the suburb of Salem, Roanoke College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,068 in tuition and fees. Political Science graduates carry a median of $26,940 in student loans. Political Science graduates of Roanoke College earn a median of $33,725 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Liberty University landed the #20 spot for political science value this year. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $16,173 in tuition and fees. Political Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $46,508. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Hampton University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value political science schools. Hampton University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hampton. Students from in state pay about $30,592 in tuition and fees. Political Science graduates carry a median of $26,250 in student loans. Early-career political science graduates make about $37,200. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 62%.
University Of Richmond ranked #22 on our 2026 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. In-state tuition and fees average $65,230. Typical student debt for political science graduates is $23,080. Early-career political science graduates make about $43,253. Set against $23,080 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 22% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 37 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 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.
