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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Political Science Schools in Virginia

20 Colleges in the United States
1,265 Political Science Degrees Awarded
$44,018 Avg Early-Career Salary

Political Science degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 37 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for political science students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Political Science in Virginia

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall political science education in Virginia.

Top Schools in Political Science

1

Leading the list is University Of Virginia Main Campus, our #1 school for political science. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. There were roughly 98 political science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $45,875 in their early career. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates carry a median of $18,015 in student loans. See the full political science program report for University Of Virginia Main Campus

2

College Of William And Mary came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. Located in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. College Of William And Mary awarded about 138 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from College Of William And Mary generally make around $41,317. College Of William And Mary graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in political science from College Of William And Mary

3
James Madison University crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in political science, landing the #3 spot this year. James Madison University is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. James Madison University awarded about 129 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $55,435 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in political science from James Madison University

4

George Mason University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in political science, ranking #4. 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. There were roughly 21 political science students who graduated with this degree at George Mason University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $45,846 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,000. Get the full political science details for George Mason University

5

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in political science, ranking #5. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. About 86% of students finish within six years. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University awarded about 190 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $42,114. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. See the full political science program report for Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

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

University Of Richmond came in at #6 for political science this year. University Of Richmond is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of University of Richmond. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 20 political science degrees were awarded at University Of Richmond in the most recent year. Political Science graduates of University Of Richmond earn a median of $43,253 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,080. See the full political science program report for University Of Richmond

7

Washington And Lee University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Lexington. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 32 political science students who graduated with this degree at Washington And Lee University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science degree from Washington And Lee University earn around $76,810 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,074 to complete this degree. Get the full political science details for Washington And Lee University

8

Christopher Newport University came in at #8 for political science this year. Set in the city of Newport News, Christopher Newport University is a mid-sized public institution. About 72% of students finish within six years. About 53 political science degrees were awarded at Christopher Newport University in the most recent year. Students who receive their political science degree from Christopher Newport University earn around $43,508 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree. Get the full political science details for Christopher Newport University

9

Virginia Commonwealth University placed #9 among the best political science schools. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public institution. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. Virginia Commonwealth University awarded about 127 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $34,080 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,376. See the full political science program report for Virginia Commonwealth University

10
Roanoke College crest
Roanoke College
Salem, VA

Roanoke College placed #10 among the best political science schools. Roanoke College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Salem. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. There were roughly 13 political science students who graduated with this degree at Roanoke College in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of Roanoke College earn a median of $33,725 early in their careers. Roanoke College graduates carry a median of $26,940 in student loans. See the full political science program report for Roanoke College

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

University Of Mary Washington came in at #11 for political science this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the suburb of Fredericksburg. About 66% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 30 political science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Mary Washington in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $35,687 in their early career. University Of Mary Washington graduates carry a median of $24,899 in student loans. More information about a degree in political science from University Of Mary Washington

12

Old Dominion University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. Old Dominion University graduates 46% of students within six years. Old Dominion University awarded about 46 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $31,700 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,531. More information about a degree in political science from Old Dominion University

13
Radford University crest
Radford University
Radford, VA

Radford University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. Located in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public university. About 49% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 19 political science students who graduated with this degree at Radford University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $27,136 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,235 to complete this degree. Get the full political science details for Radford University

14

Randolph Macon College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Ashland. About 70% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 16 political science students who graduated with this degree at Randolph Macon College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Randolph Macon College generally make around $41,684. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full political science program report for Randolph Macon College

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

Hampden Sydney College placed #15 among the best political science schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Hampden-Sydney. Hampden Sydney College graduates 62% of students within six years. About 21 political science degrees were awarded at Hampden Sydney College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Hampden Sydney College generally make around $37,123. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the political science program at Hampden Sydney College

16
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University landed the #16 spot for political science this year. Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. About 67% of students finish within six years. Liberty University awarded about 198 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Liberty University generally make around $46,508. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in political science from Liberty University

17
Longwood University crest
Longwood University
Farmville, VA

Longwood University earned the #17 position for political science this year. Longwood University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Farmville. Longwood University graduates 61% of students within six years. There were roughly 13 political science students who graduated with this degree at Longwood University in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of Longwood University earn a median of $43,800 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,649 to complete this degree. Get the full political science details for Longwood University

18

Norfolk State University earned the #18 position for political science this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Norfolk State University is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 39% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 21 political science students who graduated with this degree at Norfolk State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Norfolk State University generally make around $54,971. See the full political science program report for Norfolk State University

19

Virginia State University came in at #19 for political science this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Petersburg. The six-year graduation rate is 39%. About 24 political science degrees were awarded at Virginia State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science degree recipients from Virginia State University generally make around $40,620. Virginia State University graduates carry a median of $27,127 in student loans. Get the full political science details for Virginia State University

20
Virginia Wesleyan College crest
Virginia Wesleyan College
Virginia Beach, VA

Virginia Wesleyan College placed #20 among the best political science schools. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Virginia Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 42% of students complete a degree within six years here. Virginia Wesleyan College awarded about 11 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science program make about $45,517 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,925. Get the full political science details for Virginia Wesleyan College

21
Hampton University crest
Hampton University
Hampton, VA

Hampton University earned the #21 position for political science this year. Located in the suburb of Hampton, Hampton University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. Hampton University awarded about 18 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science degree from Hampton University earn around $37,200 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,250 to complete this degree. Get the full political science details for Hampton University

22
Regent University crest
Regent University
Virginia Beach, VA

Regent University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best political science schools. Regent University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach. Regent University graduates 58% of students within six years. Regent University awarded about 27 political science degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science graduates of Regent University earn a median of $64,493 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $29,451 to complete this degree. See the full political science program report for Regent University

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 37 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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