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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Political Science & Government Schools in Virginia

20 Colleges in the United States
1,409 Political Science & Government Degrees Awarded
$44,018 Avg Early-Career Salary

Political Science & Government programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. 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 & government students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Political Science & Government in Virginia

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the political science & government degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Political Science & Government

1

Leading the list is University Of Virginia Main Campus, our #1 school for political science & government. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Charlottesville. About 96% of students finish within six years. University Of Virginia Main Campus awarded about 98 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from University Of Virginia Main Campus earn around $45,875 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates carry a median of $18,015 in student loans. Get the full political science & government details 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 & government schools. Located in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public university. College Of William And Mary graduates 89% of students within six years. There were roughly 138 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at College Of William And Mary in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of College Of William And Mary earn a median of $41,317 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500. Get the full political science & government details for College Of William And Mary

3
James Madison University crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in political science & government, ranking #3. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. There were roughly 129 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at James Madison University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from James Madison University earn around $55,435 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,000. See the full political science & government program report for James Madison University

4

A rank of #4 makes George Mason University one of the top schools for political science & government. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. George Mason University graduates 68% of students within six years. About 164 political science & government degrees were awarded at George Mason University in the most recent year. Political Science & Government graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $45,846 early in their careers. George Mason University graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Get the full political science & government details for George Mason University

5

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best political science & government schools. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 190 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn around $42,114 in the first couple years of their career. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Read more about the political science & government program at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

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

University Of Richmond earned the #6 position for political science & government this year. University Of Richmond is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of University of Richmond. University Of Richmond graduates 85% of students within six years. About 20 political science & government degrees were awarded at University Of Richmond in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Richmond generally make around $43,253. University Of Richmond graduates carry a median of $23,080 in student loans. More information about a degree in political science & government from University Of Richmond

7

Washington And Lee University landed the #7 spot for political science & government this year. Washington And Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Lexington. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. About 32 political science & government degrees were awarded at Washington And Lee University in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $76,810 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,074. See the full political science & government program report for Washington And Lee University

8

Christopher Newport University landed the #8 spot for political science & government this year. Set in the city of Newport News, Christopher Newport University is a mid-sized public institution. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 53 political science & government degrees were awarded at Christopher Newport University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Christopher Newport University generally make around $43,508. Christopher Newport University graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Get the full political science & government details for Christopher Newport University

9

Virginia Commonwealth University placed #9 among the best political science & government schools. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. There were roughly 127 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Commonwealth University in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $34,080 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,376 to complete this degree. Read more about the political science & government program at Virginia Commonwealth University

10
Roanoke College crest
Roanoke College
Salem, VA

Roanoke College came in at #10 for political science & government this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Salem. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 13 political science & government degrees were awarded at Roanoke College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from Roanoke College generally make around $33,725. Roanoke College graduates carry a median of $26,940 in student loans. More information about a degree in political science & government from Roanoke College

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

University Of Mary Washington landed the #11 spot for political science & government this year. Located in the suburb of Fredericksburg, University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public university. About 66% of students finish within six years. University Of Mary Washington awarded about 30 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, political science & government degree recipients from University Of Mary Washington generally make around $35,687. University Of Mary Washington graduates carry a median of $24,899 in student loans. More information about a degree in political science & government from University Of Mary Washington

12

Old Dominion University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best political science & government schools. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. About 46% of students finish within six years. About 46 political science & government degrees were awarded at Old Dominion University in the most recent year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from Old Dominion University earn around $31,700 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,531. Read more about the political science & government program at Old Dominion University

13
Radford University crest
Radford University
Radford, VA

Radford University placed #13 among the best political science & government schools. Located in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. Radford University awarded about 19 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from Radford University earn around $27,136 in the first couple years of their career. Radford University graduates carry a median of $23,235 in student loans. More information about a degree in political science & government from Radford University

14

Randolph Macon College placed #14 among the best political science & government schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Ashland. Randolph Macon College graduates 70% of students within six years. Randolph Macon College awarded about 16 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from Randolph Macon College earn around $41,684 in the first couple years of their career. Randolph Macon College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full political science & government program report for Randolph Macon College

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

Hampden Sydney College came in at #15 for political science & government this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Hampden-Sydney. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. About 21 political science & government degrees were awarded at Hampden Sydney College in the most recent year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $37,123 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Get the full political science & government details for Hampden Sydney College

16
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University earned the #16 position for political science & government this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Lynchburg. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. About 198 political science & government degrees were awarded at Liberty University in the most recent year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from Liberty University earn around $46,508 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the political science & government program at Liberty University

17
Longwood University crest
Longwood University
Farmville, VA

Longwood University placed #17 among the best political science & government schools. Set in the town of Farmville, Longwood University is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. Longwood University awarded about 13 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from Longwood University earn around $43,800 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,649 to complete this degree. Get the full political science & government details for Longwood University

18

Norfolk State University landed the #18 spot for political science & government this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Norfolk. Norfolk State University graduates 39% of students within six years. There were roughly 21 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Norfolk State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from Norfolk State University earn around $54,971 in the first couple years of their career. Read more about the political science & government program at Norfolk State University

19

Virginia State University earned the #19 position for political science & government this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Petersburg. Virginia State University graduates 39% of students within six years. Virginia State University awarded about 24 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Political Science & Government graduates of Virginia State University earn a median of $40,620 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,127 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in political science & government from Virginia State University

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

Virginia Wesleyan College placed #20 among the best political science & government schools. Virginia Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach. Roughly 42% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 political science & government students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Wesleyan College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their political science & government degree from Virginia Wesleyan College earn around $45,517 in the first couple years of their career. Virginia Wesleyan College graduates carry a median of $27,925 in student loans. Get the full political science & government details for Virginia Wesleyan College

21
Hampton University crest
Hampton University
Hampton, VA

Hampton University placed #21 among the best political science & government schools. Set in the suburb of Hampton, Hampton University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 18 political science & government degrees were awarded at Hampton University in the most recent year. Political Science & Government graduates of Hampton University earn a median of $37,200 early in their careers. Hampton University graduates carry a median of $26,250 in student loans. Get the full political science & government details for Hampton University

22
Regent University crest
Regent University
Virginia Beach, VA

Regent University earned the #22 position for political science & government this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Virginia Beach. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. Regent University awarded about 28 political science & government degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the political science & government program make about $64,493 in their early career. Regent University graduates carry a median of $29,451 in student loans. See the full political science & government 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. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, 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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