Virginia Wesleyan University
#7 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Virginia- Graduation Rate
- 46% D+
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $50,074 B-
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $19,676 C-
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 73% C+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 17.5× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $17.5 over 20 years. Ranked #7 in Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Virginia.
Every $1 spent returns $17.5 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,300,008.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 23% above the national college median.
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Graduation of 46% — 20% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $17.5 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Virginia Wesleyan University Matters
Virginia Wesleyan University is a private liberal arts college in Virginia Beach, VA and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private Liberal Arts College
- Carnegie Class
- Baccalaureate · Arts & Sciences
- Enrollment
- 1,256
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- 71
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Psychology, Biology & Biomedical, Health Professions
Why students choose Virginia Wesleyan University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Competitive — admits about 73% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $19,676 a year after grants and scholarships — 15% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $50,074 ten years after enrolling — 23% above the typical college, against $27,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.3% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 60% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.59 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of just over 1,250 students, Virginia Wesleyan University is a good fit for those seeking a smaller, more intimate college experience. This school stands out for its focus on programs like Business & Marketing, Biology, Psychology, and Health Professions. Students here often appreciate the close-knit community and personalized attention from faculty, which can make a significant difference in their educational journey.
In terms of life after graduation, the numbers tell a promising story. Graduates can expect to earn around $50,074 ten years after finishing their degree. For many, this is a solid starting point, especially when considering the affordability of the education. Despite a graduation rate of 46%, those who do complete their studies find themselves on a path that can lead to upward mobility and stable careers in various fields.
When it comes to the financial aspects, the net price after aid is about $19,676, which can be manageable for many families. The median debt stands at $27,000, a figure that might seem daunting but is relatively common in higher education. Students who thrive here tend to be those who appreciate a supportive environment and are motivated to engage with their studies and campus life.
Rankings
- #7 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Virginia
- #16 Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Virginia
- #18 Best Nursing Colleges in Virginia
- #19 Best Psychology Colleges in Virginia
- #20 Best Biology Colleges in Virginia
- #20 Best Online Education Programs in Virginia
- #21 Best Bachelor's Programs in Virginia
- #21 Best Master's Programs in Virginia
Can I Get In?
How selective Virginia Wesleyan University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Virginia Wesleyan University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Virginia Wesleyan University, located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 73%. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 29. The graduation rate is roughly 46%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 73%
- Retention Rate
- 74%
- ACT Midpoint
- 29
- Full-Time Faculty
- 70%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $8,756
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 13:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.79
- First-Gen Students
- 31%
- Applicants
- 1,718
- Admitted
- 1,399
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Virginia Wesleyan University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Virginia Wesleyan University is $37,500, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $19,676. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $14,080 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $27,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $37,500
- Out-of-State
- $37,500
- Avg Net Price
- $19,676
- Median Debt
- $27,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 27%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 45%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $14,080
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $17,108
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $15,967
- Family Income $110K+
- $24,782
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Virginia Wesleyan University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Virginia Wesleyan University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Virginia Wesleyan University earn a median of $50,074, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $39,200
- 8 Years
- $47,428
- 10 Years
- $50,074
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.54x
- Earning > $25K
- 62%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (185)
- 46%
- 100% (185)
- 46%
- 100% (185)
- 46%
- 100% (185)
- 46%
How Virginia Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Virginia Wesleyan University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Virginia Wesleyan University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $19,676/year ($78,704 total). Graduates earn $50,074 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,378,712 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,300,008 (17.5× your investment). The median debt is $27,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 46% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $78,704
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,378,712
- Net Return
- $1,300,008
- ROI Multiple
- 17.5×
- Cost Per Year
- $19,676
- Median Debt
- $27,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 46%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Virginia Wesleyan University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Virginia Wesleyan University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.28%, well above the typical college. About 8.1% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 15.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $90,400, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.28%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 15.8%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 8.1%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $122,822
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $4,545,042
- Investment Income
- $-11,084,508
Top Programs
The fields Virginia Wesleyan University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 14% $44,210 early-career
- Psychology 13% $31,657 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 11% $23,930 early-career
- Health Professions 9%
- Criminal Justice 8% $35,271 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 6%
- Social Sciences 5% $31,312 early-career
- English & Literature 2% $22,845 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Virginia Wesleyan University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- B+Physician Assistant$130,020 · 28% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Virginia Wesleyan University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Virginia Wesleyan University, located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 73%. Admitted students typically arrive with a mid-range ACT score around 29. The graduation rate is roughly 46%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Virginia Wesleyan University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Virginia Wesleyan University is $37,500, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $19,676. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $14,080 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $27,000 in federal student loans.
Is Virginia Wesleyan University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Virginia Wesleyan University earn a median of $50,074, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Virginia Wesleyan University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Virginia Wesleyan University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.28%, well above the typical college. About 8.1% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 15.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $90,400, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Virginia Wesleyan University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Virginia Wesleyan University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.59, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Virginia Wesleyan University.
- Catawba CollegeSalisbury, NC · Close peer50% grad $48,793 earn 75% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Belmont Abbey CollegeBelmont, NC · Close peer47% grad $47,937 earn 75% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Buena Vista UniversityStorm Lake, IA · Close peer54% grad $49,156 earn 78% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Lubbock Christian UniversityLubbock, TX · Close peer50% grad $53,787 earn 73% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Indiana Institute of TechnologyFort Wayne, IN · Close peer38% grad $47,327 earn 70% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Millikin UniversityDecatur, IL · Close peer57% grad $51,262 earn 67% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Virginia Wesleyan University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Virginia Wesleyan University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.59, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note