# Best Data Science Colleges in Virginia

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-08-03 | Schools: 29 | Category: By State
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-data-science-virginia

## Methodology

Data Science programs in Virginia ranked by outcomes and program concentration

CollegeRanker uses a 4-pillar algorithm: Academic Quality (15-20%), Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25-35%), Value & Affordability (20-25%). Social mobility data from Raj Chetty's Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (30M+ anonymized tax records). No subjective surveys.

## Summary

Data science is rapidly becoming one of the most in-demand fields, and selecting the right college for this discipline is crucial. Many prospective students are weighing their options among Virginia’s top data science programs, looking for the best fit that also aligns with their career goals. With an average earning potential of $57,529 for graduates, it’s clear that the right choice can lead to significant financial rewards.

What sets the strongest programs apart in Virginia are metrics like graduation rates, earnings, and debt levels. Here, we’ve ranked 33 schools based on these outcomes, focusing on how well they prepare students for the workforce. A higher graduation rate indicates that students are not only enrolling but also completing their degrees, while earnings data reflects the financial return on investment students can expect.

Take the University of Virginia-Main Campus and William & Mary, for example. The University of Virginia boasts impressive earnings of $86,863 with a 95% graduation rate, while William & Mary has earnings of $73,490 with a 90% graduation rate. While both schools offer strong outcomes, the tradeoff comes in net price and debt levels, with William & Mary presenting a lower net price of $19,096 compared to $21,565 at UVA. This comparison highlights the importance of weighing financial factors alongside potential earnings.

## Key Findings

- University of Virginia graduates earn an average of $86,863, the highest in this ranking.
- Washington and Lee University has a graduation rate of 94%, close to the top of this list.
- George Mason University has the lowest graduation rate at 69%, which could impact job prospects.
- With an average net price of $21,565, University of Virginia offers a competitive value.

## Rankings

| Rank | School | Location | Graduation | Earnings (10yr) | Net Price | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|------|--------|----------|------------|-----------------|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| 1 | [Northern Virginia Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/northern-virginia-community-college) | Annandale, VA | 35% | $53,557 | $9,919 | $11,000 | 0.21x |
| 2 | [George Mason University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/george-mason-university) | Fairfax, VA | 69% | $76,343 | $17,915 | $19,500 | 0.26x |
| 3 | [William & Mary](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/william-mary) | Williamsburg, VA | 90% | $73,490 | $19,096 | $18,500 | 0.25x |
| 4 | [Washington and Lee University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/washington-and-lee-university) | Lexington, VA | 94% | $94,810 | $23,781 | $19,500 | 0.21x |
| 5 | [Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/virginia-polytechnic-institute-and-state-university) | Blacksburg, VA | 86% | $81,698 | $24,953 | $21,500 | 0.26x |
| 6 | [James Madison University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/james-madison-university) | Harrisonburg, VA | 80% | $69,954 | $23,322 | $20,093 | 0.29x |
| 7 | [University of Mary Washington](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-mary-washington) | Fredericksburg, VA | 67% | $60,613 | $20,667 | $20,500 | 0.34x |
| 8 | [Virginia Military Institute](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/virginia-military-institute) | Lexington, VA | 79% | $77,369 | $17,113 | $22,996 | 0.3x |
| 9 | [Old Dominion University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/old-dominion-university) | Norfolk, VA | 45% | $54,914 | $14,638 | $24,000 | 0.44x |
| 10 | [University of Virginia-Main Campus](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-virginia-main-campus) | Charlottesville, VA | 95% | $86,863 | $21,565 | $17,500 | 0.2x |
| 11 | [University of Richmond](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-richmond) | University of Richmond, VA | 86% | $76,178 | $31,309 | $21,000 | 0.28x |
| 12 | [Christopher Newport University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/christopher-newport-university) | Newport News, VA | 73% | $60,509 | $23,015 | $25,000 | 0.41x |
| 13 | [Virginia Commonwealth University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/virginia-commonwealth-university) | Richmond, VA | 64% | $58,128 | $23,433 | $21,500 | 0.37x |
| 14 | [Radford University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/radford-university) | Radford, VA | 49% | $53,739 | $14,578 | $24,000 | 0.45x |
| 15 | [Germanna Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/germanna-community-college) | Locust Grove, VA | 42% | $39,644 | $5,541 | $8,400 | 0.21x |
| 16 | [Marymount University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/marymount-university) | Arlington, VA | 56% | $67,516 | $29,137 | $25,000 | 0.37x |
| 17 | [Piedmont Virginia Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/piedmont-virginia-community-college) | Charlottesville, VA | 37% | $40,752 | $5,963 | $8,750 | 0.21x |
| 18 | [Bridgewater College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/bridgewater-college) | Bridgewater, VA | 51% | $53,453 | $17,800 | $26,000 | 0.49x |
| 19 | [Virginia State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/virginia-state-university) | Petersburg, VA | 40% | $45,543 | $15,840 | $26,500 | 0.58x |
| 20 | [Tidewater Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/tidewater-community-college) | Norfolk, VA | 31% | $38,349 | $11,762 | $10,000 | 0.26x |
| 21 | [Shenandoah University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/shenandoah-university) | Winchester, VA | 69% | $58,433 | $30,298 | $25,000 | 0.43x |
| 22 | [Southern Virginia University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/southern-virginia-university) | Buena Vista, VA | 36% | $50,002 | $22,213 | $24,224 | 0.48x |
| 23 | [Norfolk State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/norfolk-state-university) | Norfolk, VA | 36% | $44,666 | $15,282 | $29,000 | 0.65x |
| 24 | [Ferrum College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/ferrum-college) | Ferrum, VA | 30% | $44,296 | $20,082 | $27,000 | 0.61x |
| 25 | [Bluefield University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/bluefield-university) | Bluefield, VA | 22% | $48,896 | $25,573 | $21,855 | 0.45x |
| 26 | [Virginia Peninsula Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/virginia-peninsula-community-college) | Hampton, VA | 34% | $37,996 | $7,012 | $9,500 | 0.25x |
| 27 | [Randolph-Macon College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/randolph-macon-college) | Ashland, VA | 72% | $58,448 | $27,866 | $27,000 | 0.46x |
| 28 | [Virginia Union University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/virginia-union-university) | Richmond, VA | 39% | $38,275 | $13,235 | $29,000 | 0.76x |
| 29 | [Regent University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/regent-university) | Virginia Beach, VA | 56% | $44,498 | $19,923 | $24,534 | 0.55x |

## Data Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov)
- Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (https://opportunityinsights.org/data)
- Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
- Times Higher Education World University Rankings
- NCES IPEDS

## Citation

CollegeRanker. "Best Data Science Colleges in Virginia." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-08-03. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-data-science-virginia

## License

This data summary is provided for informational purposes. Underlying data from federal sources (College Scorecard, IPEDS) is public domain. Opportunity Insights data is available under their data use agreement at https://opportunityinsights.org/data/.