Political Science and Government

Bachelor's degree · Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University · Blacksburg, VA

CIP 45.10

$42,114Median earnings 1 year after graduating
$75,687Median earnings 4 years after
$72,652Median earnings 5 years after
$23,500Median federal debt
200Graduates per year

How this program compares

Graduates of the bachelor's degree program in Political Science and Government at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University earn a median of $42,114 one year after completing the program. Nationally, bachelor's degree graduates in this field earn a median of $63,293 four years after graduating (middle half: $44,760–$85,406). Median debt is $23,500, about 56% of first-year earnings.

Political Science and Government (Bachelor's degree) at other Virginia schools

CollegeEarnings (1 yr)Median debt
Liberty University
Lynchburg
$46,508$27,000
University of Virginia-Main Campus
Charlottesville
$45,875$16,049
George Mason University
Fairfax
$45,846$20,449
Christopher Newport University
Newport News
$43,508$22,750
University of Richmond
University of Richmond
$43,253$23,000
James Madison University
Harrisonburg
$42,128$19,286
Randolph-Macon College
Ashland
$41,684$27,000
William & Mary
Williamsburg
$41,317$19,500
Marymount University
Arlington
$41,186—
Hampton University
Hampton
$37,200$26,000
Hampden-Sydney College
Hampden-Sydney
$37,123$27,000
University of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg
$35,687$23,000
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond
$34,080$20,000
Old Dominion University
Norfolk
$31,700$21,500
Radford University
Radford
$27,136$22,375

Highest-paying Political Science and Government programs nationwide →

Other programs at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Frequently asked questions

How much do Political Science and Government graduates from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University make?

The median salary is $42,114 one year after graduation and $72,652 after five years.

How much student debt do graduates have?

Graduates who borrowed federal loans owe a median of $23,500.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, June 2026 release (Field of Study data). Earnings are for graduates who received federal financial aid.