Political Science and Government bachelor's degree programs in Virginia
Compare 21 reporting programs using the same federal field and bachelor's degree credential definition. Earnings are observed four years after completion.
Highest reported earnings in Virginia
Each bar uses the same field, credential, state and earnings year.
1Washington and Lee UniversityLexington · Debt not reported$95,1902University of Virginia-Main CampusCharlottesville · $18,015 federal debt$78,3103Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityBlacksburg · $24,250 federal debt$75,6874George Mason UniversityFairfax · $22,000 federal debt$74,1255James Madison UniversityHarrisonburg · $20,000 federal debt$73,3266William & MaryWilliamsburg · $19,500 federal debt$72,1737Roanoke CollegeSalem · Debt not reported$71,6048Randolph-Macon CollegeAshland · $27,000 federal debt$71,1119Hampden-Sydney CollegeHampden-Sydney · $27,000 federal debt$68,73110University of RichmondUniversity of Richmond · $23,080 federal debt$68,339
CAREER CONTEXT IN VA
What related occupations pay in Virginia
These are common occupational matches for this field, ranked by the strength of the federal education-to-occupation match.
11-9199Managers, All Other
- State median wage
- $166,230
- Middle 50% wage range
- $138,670–$195,190
- State employment
- 21,560
- Projected growth
- +4.9%
- Annual openings
- 100,900
25-1065Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary
- State median wage
- $101,430
- Middle 50% wage range
- $76,320–$135,130
- State employment
- 830
- Projected growth
- +2.5%
- Annual openings
- 1,500
25-2031Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
- State median wage
- $72,170
- Middle 50% wage range
- $60,250–$83,820
- State employment
- 31,100
- Projected growth
- -0.2%
- Annual openings
- 63,500
19-4061Social Science Research Assistants
- State median wage
- $53,260
- Middle 50% wage range
- $45,880–$66,430
- State employment
- 700
- Projected growth
- +5.0%
- Annual openings
- 4,900
19-3011Economists
- State median wage
- $137,590
- Middle 50% wage range
- $93,920–$179,730
- State employment
- 950
- Projected growth
- +4.7%
- Annual openings
- 1,100
25-1063Economics Teachers, Postsecondary
- State median wage
- $128,790
- Middle 50% wage range
- $83,740–$174,530
- State employment
- 460
- Projected growth
- +2.4%
- Annual openings
- 1,000
Career wages and employment are BLS estimates for everyone working in each occupation in Virginia; they are not earnings or placement rates for graduates of these programs. Wage ranges show the distribution across workers, not an entry-to-experienced career path. Growth and annual openings are national 2025–35 projections. BLS reports openings in thousands; DegreeVerdict displays the corresponding job count. These figures provide labor-market context and are not used in DegreeVerdict payoff or ROI calculations.
ALL REPORTING PROGRAMS
Compare every available outcome
Sorted by observed year-4 earnings. Open a row for its exact college-and-degree profile.
| # | College | City | Median year-4 earnings | Median federal debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington and Lee University | Lexington | $95,190 | Not available |
| 2 | University of Virginia-Main Campus | Charlottesville | $78,310 | $18,015 |
| 3 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | Blacksburg | $75,687 | $24,250 |
| 4 | George Mason University | Fairfax | $74,125 | $22,000 |
| 5 | James Madison University | Harrisonburg | $73,326 | $20,000 |
| 6 | William & Mary | Williamsburg | $72,173 | $19,500 |
| 7 | Roanoke College | Salem | $71,604 | Not available |
| 8 | Randolph-Macon College | Ashland | $71,111 | $27,000 |
| 9 | Hampden-Sydney College | Hampden-Sydney | $68,731 | $27,000 |
| 10 | University of Richmond | University of Richmond | $68,339 | $23,080 |
| 11 | Bridgewater College | Bridgewater | $66,305 | Not available |
| 12 | Christopher Newport University | Newport News | $65,241 | $23,250 |
| 13 | Marymount University | Arlington | $64,917 | Not available |
| 14 | Radford University | Radford | $64,901 | $23,235 |
| 15 | Hampton University | Hampton | $64,293 | $26,250 |
| 16 | Virginia Commonwealth University | Richmond | $62,182 | $21,376 |
| 17 | University of Mary Washington | Fredericksburg | $60,881 | $24,899 |
| 18 | Old Dominion University | Norfolk | $59,939 | $24,531 |
| 19 | Liberty University | Lynchburg | $56,550 | $27,000 |
| 20 | Longwood University | Farmville | $55,259 | Not available |
| 21 | Virginia State University | Petersburg | $44,002 | $27,127 |
This is an observed-outcomes comparison, not a universal quality ranking. Missing and privacy-suppressed programs are excluded.
A quick read on Political Science and Government in Virginia
What do Political Science and Government bachelor's degree graduates earn in Virginia?
Across 21 reporting programs, the median observed earnings figure is $66,305 four years after completion.
How much federal debt is reported for these programs?
The median is $23,250 among the 16 programs reporting federal debt.
Which Virginia colleges report the highest earnings for this degree?
The table compares the same federal field, credential and earnings year. Washington and Lee University has the highest reported figure among the programs shown.