Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degree) at Virginia State University

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$41,501

Est. from VA median (16 programs)

Median Debt

$27,127

15% above national median

Analysis

Virginia State University graduates with this bachelor's degree carry $27,127 in debt—more than most political science programs in the state (78% of Virginia schools have lower debt) but still manageable given the estimated first-year earnings. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.65, graduates can expect to owe roughly eight months' salary, which falls within the generally acceptable range for bachelor's degrees.

The estimated earnings figure of $41,501 comes from the median of 16 similar programs across Virginia, placing this squarely in the middle of the state's range for political science degrees. While top programs like UVA and George Mason see graduates earning closer to $46,000, VSU appears to track with the state median. What matters more here is the school's context: serving predominantly first-generation and lower-income students (71% receive Pell grants), VSU provides access to a degree that, based on peer program performance, should generate livable starting salaries.

The practical question is whether $27,000 in debt makes sense for an estimated $41,500 starting salary in a field known for requiring graduate school or networking advantages. The monthly payment on that debt—around $300—consumes a reasonable 7-8% of take-home pay, leaving room to build experience. For families prioritizing immediate post-college earnings stability over prestige, these estimated figures suggest a functional, if not exceptional, return on investment.

Where Virginia State University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all political science and government bachelors's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Virginia

Political Science and Government bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Virginia (37 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
Virginia State UniversityPetersburg	$9,755	$41,501*	—	$27,127	—
Liberty UniversityLynchburg	$21,222	$46,508*	$48,474	$27,000	0.58
University of Virginia-Main CampusCharlottesville	$20,986	$45,875*	$67,976	$18,015	0.39
George Mason UniversityFairfax	$13,815	$45,846*	$60,165	$22,000	0.48
Christopher Newport UniversityNewport News	$16,351	$43,508*	$58,043	$23,250	0.53
University of RichmondUniversity of Richmond	$62,600	$43,253*	$58,382	$23,080	0.53
National Median	—	$35,627*	—	$23,500	0.66

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with political science and government graduates

Political Scientists

Study the origin, development, and operation of political systems. May study topics, such as public opinion, political decisionmaking, and ideology. May analyze the structure and operation of governments, as well as various political entities. May conduct public opinion surveys, analyze election results, or analyze public documents.

$139,380/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Economists

Conduct research, prepare reports, or formulate plans to address economic problems related to the production and distribution of goods and services or monetary and fiscal policy. May collect and process economic and statistical data using sampling techniques and econometric methods.

$115,440/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Environmental Economists

Conduct economic analysis related to environmental protection and use of the natural environment, such as water, air, land, and renewable energy resources. Evaluate and quantify benefits, costs, incentives, and impacts of alternative options using economic principles and statistical techniques.

$115,440/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Economics Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in economics. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in political science, international affairs, and international relations. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level.

$64,580/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Managers, All Other

All managers not listed separately.

Regulatory Affairs Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate production activities of an organization to ensure compliance with regulations and standard operating procedures.

Compliance Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization to ensure compliance with ethical or regulatory standards.

Loss Prevention Managers

Plan and direct policies, procedures, or systems to prevent the loss of assets. Determine risk exposure or potential liability, and develop risk control measures.

Wind Energy Development Managers

Lead or manage the development and evaluation of potential wind energy business opportunities, including environmental studies, permitting, and proposals. May also manage construction of projects.

Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers

Plan and direct cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated properties for reuse. Does not include properties sufficiently contaminated to qualify as Superfund sites.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Virginia State University, approximately 71% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 16 similar programs in VA. Actual outcomes may vary.