Rankings / By State
Best Master's Programs in Virginia
- 40
- Schools
- $57,215
- Avg. Earnings
- 59%
- Avg. Graduation
- $20,759
- Avg. Net Price
- $24,116
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 40 schools run from $32,568 to $94,810, a 2.9× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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University of Virginia's College at Wise delivers the most for the money: roughly $45,325 in median earnings against $9,210 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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University of Virginia's College at Wise is the lowest-cost school here at $9,210 a year in net price.
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University of Virginia-Main Campus graduates 95% of its students, versus a 59% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
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University of Virginia-Main Campus carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.20× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- University of Virginia's College at Wise costs $9,210 a year and University of Richmond costs $31,309. Yet their graduates earn $45,325 and $76,178, nowhere near the $22,099 price gap.
- On value, University of Virginia's College at Wise beats Washington and Lee University: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the net price.
- Graduation rates split the field: University of Virginia-Main Campus finishes 95% of students while Bluefield University finishes 22%. Same ranking, very different odds of leaving with a degree.
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 University of Virginia's College at Wise 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 $55K 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 ▲ +66% vs avg | $23,781 | 94% | 78 |
| 2 William & Mary #2 overall | $73,490 ▲ +28% vs avg | $19,096 | 90% | 76 |
| 3 | $81,698 ▲ +43% vs avg | $24,953 | 86% | 72 |
| $45,325 ▼ -21% vs avg | $9,210 | 48% | 72 | |
| $69,954 ▲ +22% vs avg | $23,322 | 80% | 72 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Master's Programs in Virginia
This analysis ranks 40 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $57,215 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 59% and an average net price of $20,759.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: University of Virginia's College at Wise — Net Price: $9,210 | Graduation Rate: 48%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: University of Virginia-Main Campus — 95% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Washington and Lee University — Median alumni earnings: $94,810
Research Note
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?
$54,304
Median earnings (10yr)
57%
Median graduation rate
$20,782
Median net price
1.4%
Avg. mobility rate
Higher education is intensely local: most students enroll close to home and stay to work nearby, so a state's colleges are also its talent pipeline. This ranking looks at the mix of public and private institutions across Virginia, asking who keeps graduates in-state, who delivers earnings against the local cost of living, and who moves residents up the income ladder.
Across the 40 schools on this list, graduates earn a median of $54,304 ten years after they first enrolled, about $6,304 more than the roughly $48,000 a typical American worker takes home. The median graduation rate is 57%. Net price, what students pay after grants, runs a median of $20,782 a year, with about $25,000 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%.
What we’re seeing: the schools that matter most for Virginia pair affordability with outcomes that keep talent local. A median net price of $20,782 and median earnings of $54,304 show which institutions strengthen the regional economy rather than simply enrolling students.
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, 66% 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 76/100 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, 28% 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
Blacksburg, VA · 55% accepted · $24,953 net
Why it ranks #3
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University lands at #3 with a 72/100 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, 43% 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 #4
University of Virginia's College at Wise lands at #4 with a 72/100 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, 21% 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
Why it ranks #5
James Madison University lands at #5 with a 72/100 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, 22% 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
Virginia Military Institute lands at #6 with a 71/100 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, 35% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,113 a year, well under 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 #7
University of Richmond lands at #7 with a 71/100 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, 33% 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
Charlottesville, VA · 17% accepted · $21,565 net
Why it ranks #8
University of Virginia-Main Campus lands at #8 with a 71/100 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, 52% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,565 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
George Mason University lands at #9 with a 71/100 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, 33% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,915 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 #10
University of Mary Washington lands at #10 with a 70/100 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, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,667 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 #11
Christopher Newport University lands at #11 with a 67/100 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, 6% 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 #12
Virginia Commonwealth University lands at #12 with a 67/100 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, 2% 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 #13
Longwood University lands at #13 with a 67/100 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, 9% 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 #14
Old Dominion University lands at #14 with a 67/100 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, 4% below 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 carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Radford University lands at #15 with a 67/100 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, 6% 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
Why it ranks #16
Randolph College lands at #16 with a 65/100 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, 7% 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 #17
Eastern Mennonite University lands at #17 with a 64/100 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, 4% below 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, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
Bridgewater College lands at #18 with a 64/100 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, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,800 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
Sweet Briar College lands at #19 with a 64/100 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, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,758 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 #20
Emory & Henry University lands at #20 with a 63/100 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, 17% 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 #21
Virginia Wesleyan University lands at #21 with a 63/100 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, 12% 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 #22
Roanoke College lands at #22 with a 63/100 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, 1% 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 #23
Virginia State University lands at #23 with a 62/100 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, 20% 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 #24
Averett University lands at #24 with a 62/100 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, 10% 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 #25
Hollins University lands at #25 with a 61/100 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, 30% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,896 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 #26
Marymount University lands at #26 with a 61/100 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, 18% 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 #27
Hampton University lands at #27 with a 61/100 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, 3% 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 #28
Shenandoah University lands at #28 with a 60/100 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, 2% 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 #29
Southern Virginia University lands at #29 with a 60/100 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, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,213 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 #30
Hampden-Sydney College lands at #30 with a 60/100 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, 18% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,400 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 #31
Ferrum College lands at #31 with a 60/100 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, 23% 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 #32
Norfolk State University lands at #32 with a 59/100 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, 22% 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 #33
Mary Baldwin University lands at #33 with a 58/100 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, 22% 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 #34
Randolph-Macon College lands at #34 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, 2% 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 #35
University of Lynchburg lands at #35 with a 56/100 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, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,235 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 #36
Virginia Union University lands at #36 with a 55/100 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, 33% 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 #37
Regent University lands at #37 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, 22% 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 #38
Bluefield University lands at #38 with a 49/100 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, 15% 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 #39
Liberty University lands at #39 with a 48/100 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, 22% 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 #40
Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach lands at #40 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, 43% 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 40 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
Choosing a master's program can be a pivotal decision, especially in Virginia, where a diverse range of options exist. With 40 schools offering graduate programs, students are evaluating their potential returns on investment and career opportunities post-graduation. For instance, graduates from Washington and Lee University report earnings of nearly $95,000, highlighting the financial benefits of selecting the right program.
What sets apart the top-performing schools on this list is not just their academic reputation, but the outcomes that directly impact students' futures. Metrics such as earnings after graduation, graduation rates, net price, and student debt levels provide a clearer picture of what to expect. The schools listed here illustrate the trade-offs between cost and potential salary, helping prospective students make informed choices about their education.
Take Washington and Lee University and George Mason University as examples. Washington and Lee boasts an impressive 94% graduation rate and an average earning of $94,810, while George Mason's graduation rate is significantly lower at 69% with earnings of $76,343. The contrast in financial outcomes and completion rates makes a strong case for weighing these factors carefully as students consider their options.
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 31 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 7% 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 26.9% 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 1.65 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
Virginia's master's programs reveal a significant disparity in graduate outcomes that can be overlooked. For example, Washington and Lee University leads in both earnings and graduation rates, while George Mason University, despite its lower costs, struggles with a much lower completion rate and earnings. This contrast emphasizes the importance of not only the program's cost but also the quality of education and support provided to students.
As you sift through these 40 schools, consider what truly matters to you. Are you prioritizing low debt, high earnings, or perhaps a specific program focus? Think about your personal circumstances—location, campus culture, and financial commitments. Aligning these factors with the data on this list will help you find a program that fits your needs.
Ultimately, the journey from a master's program to a stable career is shaped by the choices we make today. Each decision, from the school we choose to the financial implications, can set the tone for our future. For one family, investing in a program with a strong track record like Washington and Lee might lead to financial security, while another might focus on a more affordable option that fits their lifestyle better. These decisions are not just numbers—they represent real lives and futures.
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 Master's Programs in Virginia: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Master's Programs in Virginia ranking? +
Washington and Lee University in Lexington, VA ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Master's Programs 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 $57,215 average across the 40 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, University of Virginia's College at Wise leads: graduates earn a median $45,325 against net price of about $9,210 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 59% 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 $20,759 a year across the 40 ranked schools with cost data. University of Virginia's College at Wise is among the most affordable at roughly $9,210. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Master's Programs 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 40 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.
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