2024 Best Colleges in Virginia

With close proximity to Washington, D.C., students interested in government and political science internships will find a range of opportunities. The University of Virginia, the state’s flagship institution, is a pioneer in hypersonic flight research and home to the Academical Village, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The College of William & Mary, founded in 1693, is the second-oldest higher education institution nationwide, second only to Harvard University. Another historic site, the Virginia Military Institute was founded as the first public senior military college in the United States.

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11 Results

#1 in Virginia | #3 in Most Affordable Schools
Economic score 9.05

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $9,536

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $45,325

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 51%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

#2 in Virginia | #23 in Most Affordable Schools

Bridgewater College

Bridgewater, Virginia

Economic score 5.83

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $18,897

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $53,453

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 64%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

#3 in Virginia | #37 in Most Affordable Schools

Virginia Military Institute

Lexington, Virginia

Economic score 2.16

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $21,215

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $77,369

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 84%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

#4 in Virginia | #45 in Most Affordable Schools

University of Mary Washington

Fredericksburg, Virginia

Economic score 4.29

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $22,066

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $60,613

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 68%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

#5 in Virginia | #56 in Most Affordable Schools

Virginia Wesleyan University

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Economic score 9.74

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $22,807

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $50,074

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 53%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

#6 in Virginia | #79 in Most Affordable Schools

Hampden, Sydney College

Hampden-Sydney, Virginia

Economic score 3.83

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $25,214

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $67,640

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 67%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

#7 in Virginia | #100 in Most Affordable Schools

Randolph, Macon College

Ashland, Virginia

Economic score 6.22

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $27,462

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $58,448

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 64%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

#8 in Virginia | #102 in Most Affordable Schools

Roanoke College

Salem, Virginia

Economic score 5.93

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $27,780

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $58,047

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 71%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

#9 in Virginia | #108 in Most Affordable Schools

University of Richmond

University of Richmond, Virginia

Economic score 2.47

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $28,649

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $76,178

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 87%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

#10 in Virginia | #116 in Most Affordable Schools
Economic score 1.43

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $29,479

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $94,810

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 93%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

Sweet Briar College

Sweet Briar, Virginia

Economic score 11.25

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $27,635

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $51,943

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 34%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

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