Rankings / By State
Best Colleges in Virginia
- 47
- Schools
- $54,644
- Avg. Earnings
- 55%
- Avg. Graduation
- $18,697
- Avg. Net Price
- $22,156
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $32,568 at the low end to $94,810 at the top. That 2.9× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
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Paul D Camp Community College offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $36,031 against $4,126 in annual net price, the best earnings-to-cost ratio in this ranking.
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The most budget-friendly option on this list is Patrick & Henry Community College, at $4,102 annually in net price.
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Completion rates separate this field: University of Virginia-Main Campus graduates 95% of its students, well above the 55% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
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Debt-to-earnings ratios favor Paul D Camp Community College: graduates owe only 0.19× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. Patrick & Henry Community College ($4,102/yr) and University of Richmond ($31,309/yr) produce graduates earning $33,323 and $76,178 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $27,207 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, Paul D Camp Community College outperforms Washington and Lee University: similar career earnings at a much lower net price.
- Completion is where this ranking's schools diverge most: University of Virginia-Main Campus graduates 95% of its students versus 22% at Bluefield University. Access without completion is opportunity unclaimed.
The Takeaway
The schools that win this ranking are not the priciest or the most selective. They turn students into earners without burying them in debt, which is exactly what our outcomes-first methodology is built to surface.
What This Means for Students
If you are choosing from this list, start with Paul D Camp Community College and University of Virginia-Main Campus. Pull each school's net price for your income band, weigh projected earnings against the debt you would take on, and let payoff rather than prestige drive your shortlist.
Why this ranking matters
These schools are ranked on outcomes that compound: graduate earnings, upward mobility, debt, and value, all drawn from federal tax records and Scorecard data rather than reputation surveys. The list rewards results over prestige, led by institutions whose graduates earn a median of about $53K ten years after enrollment.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Washington and Lee University #1 overall | $94,810 ▲ +74% vs avg | $23,781 | 94% | 78 |
| 2 William & Mary #2 overall | $73,490 ▲ +34% vs avg | $19,096 | 90% | 77 |
| 3 University of Virginia's College at Wise #3 overall | $45,325 ▼ -17% vs avg | $9,210 | 48% | 74 |
| $81,698 ▲ +50% vs avg | $24,953 | 86% | 74 | |
| $69,954 ▲ +28% vs avg | $23,322 | 80% | 73 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Colleges in Virginia
This analysis ranks 47 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $54,644 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 55% and an average net price of $18,697.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Paul D Camp Community College — Net Price: $4,126 | Graduation Rate: 30%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: University of Virginia-Main Campus — 95% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Washington and Lee University — Median alumni earnings: $94,810
Our Analysis Found
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Virginia Opportunity Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about higher education and opportunity in Virginia?
$53,409
Median earnings (10yr)
55%
Median graduation rate
$19,676
Median net price
1.4%
Avg. mobility rate
Students tend to study where they live and work where they study, which makes a state's colleges its most important economic development asset. This ranking evaluates how well institutions across Virginia serve that role: producing graduates with strong earnings, keeping talent in the regional economy, and offering affordable paths for local students.
Across the 47 schools on this list, graduates earn a median of $53,409 ten years after they first enrolled, about $5,409 more than the roughly $48,000 a typical American worker takes home. The median graduation rate is 55%. Net price, what students pay after grants, runs a median of $19,676 a year, with about $24,517 in median federal debt at graduation. An average of 34% of students receive Pell grants, and the typical school moves low-income students into the top income quintile at a rate of 1.4%.
For Virginia, the institutions that combine manageable costs with strong graduate outcomes are the ones building the local workforce. With a median net price of $19,676 and graduates earning a median of $53,409, these schools sit where the talent pipeline and economic development meet.
The podium
Build your ranking
Drag a pillar — schools re-rank live.
Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Washington and Lee University lands at #1 with a 78/100 composite, led by academic quality (89/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (74/100). Graduates earn a median $94,810 a decade after enrolling, 74% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,781 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
William & Mary lands at #2 with a 77/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (73/100). Graduates earn a median $73,490 a decade after enrolling, 34% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,096 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
University of Virginia's College at Wise lands at #3 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (92/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (64/100). Graduates earn a median $45,325 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,210 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Blacksburg, VA · 55% accepted · $24,953 net
Why it ranks #4
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University lands at #4 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (59/100). Graduates earn a median $81,698 a decade after enrolling, 50% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,953 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
James Madison University lands at #5 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (62/100). Graduates earn a median $69,954 a decade after enrolling, 28% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,322 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
George Mason University lands at #6 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (60/100). Graduates earn a median $76,343 a decade after enrolling, 40% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,915 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
University of Richmond lands at #7 with a 72/100 composite, led by academic quality (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (55/100). Graduates earn a median $76,178 a decade after enrolling, 39% above this list's average, and net price runs $31,309 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Virginia Military Institute lands at #8 with a 72/100 composite, led by academic quality (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $77,369 a decade after enrolling, 42% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,113 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
University of Mary Washington lands at #9 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (64/100). Graduates earn a median $60,613 a decade after enrolling, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,667 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Old Dominion University lands at #10 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (57/100). Graduates earn a median $54,914 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $14,638 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Virginia Commonwealth University lands at #11 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $58,128 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,433 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Radford University lands at #12 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (62/100). Graduates earn a median $53,739 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,578 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Charlottesville, VA · 17% accepted · $21,565 net
Why it ranks #13
University of Virginia-Main Campus lands at #13 with a 69/100 composite, led by academic quality (95/100) and pulled down by social mobility (59/100). Graduates earn a median $86,863 a decade after enrolling, 59% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,565 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
Christopher Newport University lands at #14 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $60,509 a decade after enrolling, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,015 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Longwood University lands at #15 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (58/100). Graduates earn a median $52,347 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,066 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Northern Virginia Community College lands at #16 with a 68/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (55/100). Graduates earn a median $53,557 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,919 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
Germanna Community College lands at #17 with a 68/100 composite, led by value per dollar (88/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $39,644 a decade after enrolling, 27% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,541 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
Randolph College lands at #18 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $53,409 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,921 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
Piedmont Virginia Community College lands at #19 with a 67/100 composite, led by value per dollar (87/100) and pulled down by academic quality (52/100). Graduates earn a median $40,752 a decade after enrolling, 25% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,963 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
Eastern Mennonite University lands at #20 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (43/100). Graduates earn a median $54,869 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,588 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
Sweet Briar College lands at #21 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (58/100). Graduates earn a median $51,943 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,758 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
Bridgewater College lands at #22 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $53,453 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,800 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #23
Emory & Henry University lands at #23 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $47,385 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,061 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #24
Virginia State University lands at #24 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $45,543 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,840 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #25
Roanoke College lands at #25 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (44/100). Graduates earn a median $58,047 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,503 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #26
Virginia Wesleyan University lands at #26 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (55/100). Graduates earn a median $50,074 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,676 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #27
Averett University lands at #27 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (43/100). Graduates earn a median $51,516 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,925 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #28
Hollins University lands at #28 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $40,075 a decade after enrolling, 27% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,896 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #29
Hampton University lands at #29 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (37/100). Graduates earn a median $59,159 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $25,319 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #30
Marymount University lands at #30 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (42/100). Graduates earn a median $67,516 a decade after enrolling, 24% above this list's average, and net price runs $29,137 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #31
Southern Virginia University lands at #31 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $50,002 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,213 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #32
Tidewater Community College lands at #32 with a 63/100 composite, led by value per dollar (78/100) and pulled down by academic quality (49/100). Graduates earn a median $38,349 a decade after enrolling, 30% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,762 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #33
Shenandoah University lands at #33 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (40/100). Graduates earn a median $58,433 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $30,298 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #34
Ferrum College lands at #34 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (44/100). Graduates earn a median $44,296 a decade after enrolling, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,082 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #35
Norfolk State University lands at #35 with a 62/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (51/100). Graduates earn a median $44,666 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,282 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #36
Mary Baldwin University lands at #36 with a 61/100 composite, led by social mobility (86/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $44,427 a decade after enrolling, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,756 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #37
Paul D Camp Community College lands at #37 with a 61/100 composite, led by value per dollar (91/100) and pulled down by academic quality (43/100). Graduates earn a median $36,031 a decade after enrolling, 34% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,126 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #38
Hampden-Sydney College lands at #38 with a 59/100 composite, led by academic quality (72/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $67,640 a decade after enrolling, 24% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,400 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #39
Virginia Peninsula Community College lands at #39 with a 59/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by academic quality (47/100). Graduates earn a median $37,996 a decade after enrolling, 30% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,012 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #40
Randolph-Macon College lands at #40 with a 57/100 composite, led by academic quality (72/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $58,448 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $27,866 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #41
University of Lynchburg lands at #41 with a 57/100 composite, led by academic quality (70/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (43/100). Graduates earn a median $56,380 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,235 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #42
Virginia Union University lands at #42 with a 56/100 composite, led by social mobility (67/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (51/100). Graduates earn a median $38,275 a decade after enrolling, 30% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,235 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #43
Regent University lands at #43 with a 55/100 composite, led by academic quality (71/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $44,498 a decade after enrolling, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,923 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #44
Patrick & Henry Community College lands at #44 with a 51/100 composite, led by value per dollar (93/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (24/100). Graduates earn a median $33,323 a decade after enrolling, 39% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,102 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #45
Bluefield University lands at #45 with a 50/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (64/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (39/100). Graduates earn a median $48,896 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $25,573 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #46
Liberty University lands at #46 with a 49/100 composite, led by academic quality (61/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (36/100). Graduates earn a median $44,813 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $29,357 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #47
Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach lands at #47 with a 48/100 composite, led by value per dollar (56/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (52/100). Graduates earn a median $32,568 a decade after enrolling, 40% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,038 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 47 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
Virginia is home to a range of colleges that attract students for their diverse offerings and potential career outcomes. With 48 institutions to choose from, families are weighing factors like graduation rates, earnings, and student debt as they consider the best fit for their academic and financial goals.
What distinguishes the leading schools from the rest? Graduating from a college with strong outcomes can significantly impact a student's future. The data below highlights key metrics such as average earnings, graduation rates, and student debt, providing insight into how each school stacks up in these critical areas.
Let's look at Washington and Lee University and George Mason University. Washington and Lee boasts an impressive $94,810 in average earnings and a 94% graduation rate, while George Mason has lower earnings at $76,343 and a graduation rate of just 69%. This contrast highlights how different schools can lead to varied financial outcomes and completion rates, making it essential for students to evaluate what matters most to them.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
The backbone of this ranking is social-mobility data from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, which draws on more than 30 million tax records. A school's mobility rate is the share of its students who move from the bottom income quintile to the top. Among the 37 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 1.4%. Norfolk State University leads the group at 3.4%, with Marymount University (3.4%) and George Mason University (3.1%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 8.2% of students start in the bottom income quintile. Virginia State University leads at 32.8%, which signals an admissions door that is actually open to low-income students. Schools that pair high access with high mobility are the ones driving generational change.
Once low-income students enroll, their odds of reaching the top income quintile average 24.5% across this list. University of Mary Washington posts the highest success rate at 60.7%. Access without completion and career momentum is an incomplete picture, and this is the number that completes it.
Social capital, measured by economic connectedness, captures the degree of cross-class friendship on campus, another dimension Opportunity Insights ties to long-run outcomes. Across these schools it averages 1.57 against a national benchmark of 1.0. Washington and Lee University reaches 1.82, the highest on the list.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
When we compare Washington and Lee University and Virginia Tech, a clear pattern emerges. Washington and Lee not only has the highest average earnings at $94,810 but also a graduation rate of 94%. In contrast, Virginia Tech offers average earnings of $81,698 but has a significantly lower graduation rate of 86%. This difference can influence long-term financial stability for graduates.
After reviewing all 48 schools, consider how this data aligns with your priorities. What matters most to you? If financial outcomes are crucial, focus on the schools with high earnings and graduation rates. If a specific program or campus culture is more important, don't overlook how these factors may impact your college experience and future opportunities.
In the bigger picture, these decisions shape not just individual futures but entire families. The path from college to a stable life can be influenced heavily by the institution chosen. For one family, selecting a school with a solid graduation rate and manageable debt could mean a significant difference in financial security and career success down the line.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Colleges in Virginia: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Colleges in Virginia ranking? +
Washington and Lee University in Lexington, VA ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Colleges in Virginia ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $94,810 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 94% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
Washington and Lee University posts the highest median earnings on this list: $94,810 ten years after enrollment, well above the $54,644 average across the 47 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, Paul D Camp Community College leads: graduates earn a median $36,031 against net price of about $4,126 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
University of Virginia-Main Campus has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 95%, compared with a 55% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $18,697 a year across the 47 ranked schools with cost data. Patrick & Henry Community College is among the most affordable at roughly $4,102. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Colleges in Virginia ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 47 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
Related Rankings
