Rankings / MBA
Best MBA Programs in Virginia
- 16
- Schools
- $63,491
- Avg. Earnings
- 66%
- Avg. Graduation
- $22,255
- Avg. Net Price
- $23,053
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $51,516 at the low end to $86,863 at the top. That 1.7× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
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Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $81,698 against $15,850 in annual tuition, the best earnings-to-cost ratio in this ranking.
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The most budget-friendly option on this list is Radford University, at $14,578 annually in tuition.
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Completion rates separate this field: University of Virginia-Main Campus graduates 95% of its students, well above the 66% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
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Debt-to-earnings ratios favor University of Virginia-Main Campus: graduates owe only 0.20× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- The top spot belongs to William & Mary ($73,490 earnings), not the highest earner, University of Virginia-Main Campus ($86,863). That is what weighting mobility and value over salary alone produces.
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. Radford University ($14,578/yr) and University of Virginia-Main Campus ($79,598/yr) produce graduates earning $53,739 and $86,863 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $65,020 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University outperforms University of Virginia-Main Campus: similar career earnings at a much lower tuition.
The Takeaway
The programs 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 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University 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
Business is one of the higher-return fields in the economy, but the payoff depends heavily on where you study it. Graduates of these programs earn a median of about $59K within a decade, and management analyst roles are projected to grow 10%. We rank programs by the outcomes they produce for graduates, not by reputation.
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
- Chetty, R., Friedman, J., Saez, E., Turner, N., & Yagan, D. (2017). Mobility Report Cards: The Role of Colleges in Intergenerational Mobility. NBER Working Paper No. 23618.
- U.S. Department of Education. College Scorecard Data. Federal Student Aid, National Center for Education Statistics.
- National Center for Education Statistics. Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
- U.S. News & World Report. Best Business Schools MBA Rankings. Used for MBA program validation.
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 William & Mary #1 overall | $73,490 ▲ +16% vs avg | $19,096 | 90% | 79 |
| 2 | $81,698 ▲ +29% vs avg | $24,953 | 86% | 78 |
| 3 James Madison University #3 overall | $69,954 ▲ +10% vs avg | $23,322 | 80% | 76 |
| $76,343 ▲ +20% vs avg | $17,915 | 69% | 75 | |
| $86,863 ▲ +37% vs avg | $21,565 | 95% | 72 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best MBA Programs in Virginia
This analysis ranks 16 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $63,491 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 66% and an average net price of $22,255.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: George Mason University — Net Price: $17,915 | Graduation Rate: 69%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: University of Virginia-Main Campus — 95% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: University of Virginia-Main Campus — Median alumni earnings: $86,863
Data Insight
The most expensive quartile of colleges costs 373% more than the most affordable — but their graduates earn just 34% more.
Management Education Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about leadership and management education?
$58,796
Median earnings (10yr)
63%
Median graduation rate
$22,970
Median net price
1.5%
Avg. mobility rate
Management education makes a blunt promise: pay now, earn more later. Top-tier programs keep that promise through network effects and placement outcomes. Many others raise earnings barely enough to cover their cost. The spread in outcomes across programs is wider here than in almost any other discipline.
Across the 16 programs on this list, graduates earn a median of $58,796 ten years after they first enrolled, about $10,796 more than the roughly $48,000 a typical American worker takes home. The median graduation rate is 63%. Net price, what students pay after grants, runs a median of $22,970 a year, with about $24,407 in median federal debt at graduation. An average of 26% of students receive Pell grants, and the typical school moves low-income students into the top income quintile at a rate of 1.5%.
In management education, network effects amplify everything. Graduates earn a median of $58,796 ten years after enrollment, and William & Mary leads the field. The gap between the top and the middle is wide enough that school selection may be the most consequential financial decision in this category.
The podium
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Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
William & Mary lands at #1 with a 79/100 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, 16% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,096 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
Blacksburg, VA · 55% accepted · $24,953 net
Why it ranks #2
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University lands at #2 with a 78/100 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, 29% 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 #3
James Madison University lands at #3 with a 76/100 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, 10% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,322 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 #4
George Mason University lands at #4 with a 75/100 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, 20% 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
Charlottesville, VA · 17% accepted · $21,565 net
Why it ranks #5
University of Virginia-Main Campus lands at #5 with a 72/100 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, 37% 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 #6
Old Dominion University lands at #6 with a 71/100 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, 14% 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Christopher Newport University lands at #7 with a 71/100 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, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,015 a year. 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 #8
Longwood University lands at #8 with a 71/100 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, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,066 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 #9
Virginia Commonwealth University lands at #9 with a 71/100 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, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,433 a year. 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 #10
Radford University lands at #10 with a 70/100 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, 15% 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Eastern Mennonite University lands at #11 with a 69/100 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, 14% 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 #12
Averett University lands at #12 with a 67/100 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, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,925 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 #13
Hampton University lands at #13 with a 66/100 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, 7% below 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, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
Marymount University lands at #14 with a 65/100 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, 6% 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 #15
Shenandoah University lands at #15 with a 65/100 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, 8% below 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, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
University of Lynchburg lands at #16 with a 60/100 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, 11% 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
Cut it by what you care about
The same 16 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs — and the jobs are
Where these graduates work
Graduates of these programs most often become Management Analysts and related roles — a field with $99,410 median pay and 10% projected growth.
See the Management Analyst career guide →When considering an MBA program, it's important to focus on schools that not only provide a solid education but also lead to strong career outcomes. In Virginia, several universities stand out for their ability to combine academic rigor with real-world success. For example, graduates from the University of Virginia-Main Campus earn an average of $86,863, making a compelling case for their program's value.
What sets the top MBA programs apart in this list is their impressive graduation rates and post-graduation earnings. The best schools, like those featured here, boast completion rates ranging from 69% to 95% and average earnings above the state average of $63,491. As you review the rankings below, consider how these factors—along with student debt—can impact your long-term financial wellbeing.
For instance, the University of Virginia-Main Campus not only leads in earnings but also has a low net price of $21,565 and a high graduation rate of 95%. In contrast, George Mason University, while still performing well with earnings of $76,343, has a lower graduation rate of 69% and a higher net price at $17,915. These differences highlight the importance of evaluating each program's strengths relative to your individual goals.
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 14 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 1.5%. Marymount University leads the group at 3.4%, with George Mason University (3.1%) and Old Dominion University (2.4%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 5.4% of students start in the bottom income quintile. Marymount University leads at 9.6%, 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 29.2% across this list. George Mason University posts the highest success rate at 50.3%. 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 1.69 against a national benchmark of 1.0. William & Mary reaches 1.80, 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 look closely at the earnings and graduation rates, a clear pattern emerges. The University of Virginia-Main Campus outperforms George Mason University significantly. With earnings of $86,863 and a graduation rate of 95%, UVA provides a strong return on investment. In comparison, George Mason's earnings of $76,343 and a graduation rate of only 69% suggest that while it's a solid choice, it may not offer the same level of assurance for future success.
As you sift through these rankings, consider your own set of priorities. Think about location, the specific curriculum that aligns with your career goals, and the overall campus environment. Financial factors are crucial too; weigh the net price and potential debt against expected earnings. Finding the right fit for you means balancing these metrics with what feels right personally.
Ultimately, the decision to pursue an MBA is about more than just numbers. This data reflects the realities many families face when investing in education. For instance, a student who graduates from a top program with manageable debt has a clearer path to financial stability. These insights can guide one family's decision, leading to a more secure future.
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 MBA Programs in Virginia: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best MBA Programs in Virginia ranking? +
William & Mary in Williamsburg, VA ranks #1 in our 2026 Best MBA Programs in Virginia ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $73,490 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 90% 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 program has the highest graduate earnings? +
University of Virginia-Main Campus posts the highest median earnings on this list: $86,863 ten years after enrollment, well above the $63,491 average across the 16 ranked programs with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which program offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University leads: graduates earn a median $81,698 against tuition of about $15,850 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 66% 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 an MBA cost at these schools? +
Across the 4 programs with verified tuition, annual MBA tuition averages $40,463, ranging from about $15,850 a year at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University to $79,598 at University of Virginia-Main Campus. These are tuition figures pulled from official program pages (in-state where the school is public), not estimated net price.
How is the Best MBA 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 16 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
Chetty, R., Friedman, J., Saez, E., Turner, N., & Yagan, D. (2017). Mobility Report Cards: The Role of Colleges in Intergenerational Mobility. NBER Working Paper No. 23618. →
U.S. Department of Education. College Scorecard Data. Federal Student Aid, National Center for Education Statistics. →
National Center for Education Statistics. Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). →
U.S. News & World Report. Best Business Schools MBA Rankings. Used for MBA program validation. →
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