Best Political Science Colleges in West Virginia2026 Rankings
Choosing the right Political Science program in West Virginia means weighing more than just name recognition. We analyzed 13 colleges across the state, scoring each on the metrics that matter most to long-term career success: graduation rates, post-graduation earnings, net cost, and academic rigor.
The data tells an interesting story: Davis & Elkins College leads on selectivity (58% acceptance rate), but selectivity is only one dimension of quality. Across West Virginia's Political Science programs, the typical in-state price is $17,907 and the average graduation rate is 45%. Graduates of these programs earn a median of $41,907 within one year of completing their degree.
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| # | College | Value Score | Admit Rate | Grad Rate | Net Price | Median Earnings | Student:Faculty | Majors Offered | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Virginia University Institute of TechnologyPublic | Great· 38 | 61% | 36% | $9,532 | $30,286 | 12:1 | 30 | 1,009 |
| 2 | Bethany CollegePrivate | Strong· 36 | 60% | 46% | $14,911 | $31,022 | 12:1 | 31 | 642 |
| 3 | Davis & Elkins CollegePrivate | Strong· 35 | 58% | 37% | $18,783 | $34,641 | 11:1 | 39 | 681 |
| 4 | Marshall UniversityPublic | Strong· 34 | 96% | 49% | $7,970 | $41,873 | 15:1 | 62 | 7,149 |
| 5 | Fairmont State UniversityPublic | Strong· 34 | 99% | 48% | $9,166 | $34,992 | 12:1 | 35 | 2,690 |
| 6 | Concord UniversityPublic | Good· 33 | 90% | 42% | $10,904 | $34,408 | 15:1 | 26 | 1,394 |
| 7 | West Virginia Wesleyan CollegePrivate | Good· 32 | 95% | 49% | $16,406 | $32,559 | 13:1 | 50 | 909 |
| 8 | Wheeling UniversityPrivate | Good· 32 | 75% | 32% | $19,257 | $33,558 | 14:1 | 27 | 567 |
| 9 | West Virginia UniversityPublic | Good· 32 | 86% | 61% | $12,379 | $30,286 | 17:1 | 85 | 17,705 |
| 10 | West Virginia State UniversityPublic | Good· 32 | 96% | 34% | $12,283 | $36,965 | 12:1 | 24 | 1,328 |
| 11 | University of CharlestonPrivate | Good· 31 | 65% | 46% | $21,133 | $55,778 | 15:1 | 23 | 2,083 |
| 12 | Shepherd UniversityPublic | Good· 31 | 96% | 49% | $12,068 | $43,801 | 16:1 | 32 | 2,375 |
| 13 | American Public University SystemPrivate | Fair· 23 | — | 53% | $7,301 | $56,763 | 25:1 | 41 | 38,976 |