Rankings / By State
Best Psychology Colleges in Virginia
- 36
- Schools
- $57,390
- Avg. Earnings
- 59%
- Avg. Graduation
- $20,725
- Avg. Net Price
- $24,110
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 36 schools run from $38,275 to $94,810, a 2.5× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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Northern Virginia Community College delivers the most for the money: roughly $53,557 in median earnings against $9,919 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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The most affordable option, Northern Virginia Community College ($9,919 net price), still posts $53,557 in earnings, at or above the list average. Paying more does not guarantee a better outcome.
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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
- Northern Virginia Community College costs $9,919 a year and University of Richmond costs $31,309. Yet their graduates earn $53,557 and $76,178, nowhere near the $21,390 price gap.
- On value, Northern Virginia Community College 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 Ferrum College finishes 30%. Same ranking, very different odds of leaving with a degree.
The Takeaway
The through line among the top-ranked schools is plain. They pair solid graduate earnings with affordable costs and meaningful social mobility. Prestige and selectivity matter far less than whether students end up better off.
What This Means for Students
Your shortlist should start with Northern Virginia Community College and University of Virginia-Main Campus. For each school, look up the net price your family would actually pay, weigh it against typical graduate earnings, and build the decision around the return instead of the name recognition.
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 ▲ +65% vs avg | $23,781 | 94% | 81 |
| 2 William & Mary #2 overall | $73,490 ▲ +28% vs avg | $19,096 | 90% | 74 |
| 3 Virginia Military Institute #3 overall | $77,369 ▲ +35% vs avg | $17,113 | 79% | 72 |
| $50,002 ▼ -13% vs avg | $22,213 | 36% | 71 | |
| $53,409 ▼ -7% vs avg | $15,921 | 49% | 71 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Psychology Colleges in Virginia
This analysis ranks 36 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $57,390 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 59% and an average net price of $20,725.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Northern Virginia Community College — Net Price: $9,919 | Graduation Rate: 35%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: University of Virginia-Main Campus — 95% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Washington and Lee University — Median alumni earnings: $94,810
CollegeRanker Primary Research
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Human Services Workforce Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the human-services and social-work workforce?
$54,304
Median earnings (10yr)
57%
Median graduation rate
$20,375
Median net price
1.4%
Avg. mobility rate
Psychology, social work, and counseling programs train a workforce in high and rising demand. Mental-health needs, child and family services, and an aging population all pull for licensed practitioners. The work is essential and licensure-gated. Pay is modest, which makes the economics of the degree unusually sensitive to cost.
The median graduation rate across these 36 schools is 57%. Median graduate earnings reach $54,304 ten years after enrollment, roughly $6,304 more than the national worker average of $48,000. Average net price, the cost after grants, is $20,375 a year, and median federal debt at graduation is about $25,000. Some 33% of students receive Pell grants, and mobility, the share of low-income students who reach the top quintile, averages 1.4%.
What we’re seeing: demand is strong and growing, but the salary ceiling means affordability decides the return. With median earnings around $54,304 and a median net price of $20,375, the best value comes from programs that keep debt well below early-career pay.
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 81/100 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, 65% 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 74/100 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
Why it ranks #3
Virginia Military Institute lands at #3 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, 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 #4
Southern Virginia University lands at #4 with a 71/100 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
Randolph College lands at #5 with a 71/100 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
Eastern Mennonite University lands at #6 with a 70/100 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Northern Virginia Community College lands at #7 with a 69/100 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, 7% 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
University of Richmond lands at #8 with a 69/100 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
Why it ranks #9
Sweet Briar College lands at #9 with a 69/100 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
George Mason University lands at #10 with a 69/100 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 #11
James Madison University lands at #11 with a 69/100 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 carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Norfolk State University lands at #12 with a 68/100 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 #13
Christopher Newport University lands at #13 with a 68/100 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% 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 #14
University of Mary Washington lands at #14 with a 68/100 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 carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Virginia Commonwealth University lands at #15 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, 1% 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 #16
Old Dominion University lands at #16 with a 65/100 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
Charlottesville, VA · 17% accepted · $21,565 net
Why it ranks #17
University of Virginia-Main Campus lands at #17 with a 65/100 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, 51% 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 #18
Radford University lands at #18 with a 64/100 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 #19
Virginia Wesleyan University lands at #19 with a 64/100 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, 13% 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 #20
Roanoke College lands at #20 with a 64/100 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 #21
Longwood University lands at #21 with a 64/100 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 #22
Virginia State University lands at #22 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, 21% 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 #23
Averett University lands at #23 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 #24
Bridgewater College lands at #24 with a 62/100 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 #25
Hollins University lands at #25 with a 62/100 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
Hampton University lands at #26 with a 62/100 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 #27
Emory & Henry University lands at #27 with a 61/100 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 #28
Mary Baldwin University lands at #28 with a 59/100 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, 23% 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 #29
Marymount University lands at #29 with a 58/100 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 #30
Ferrum College lands at #30 with a 58/100 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 #31
Shenandoah University lands at #31 with a 57/100 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 #32
Regent University lands at #32 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 #33
Randolph-Macon College lands at #33 with a 55/100 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 #34
Virginia Union University lands at #34 with a 53/100 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 #35
University of Lynchburg lands at #35 with a 53/100 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, 2% 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
Liberty University lands at #36 with a 46/100 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
Cut it by what you care about
The same 36 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
Choosing the right psychology program can feel overwhelming, especially with 39 options available in Virginia. Each of these schools brings unique strengths, but understanding their outcomes can help clarify which might be the best fit for your goals.
The top programs stand out for their impressive graduation rates, earning potential, and manageable debt levels. By examining these factors, you can make a more informed decision about your education and future career. The list below highlights schools that excel in these key areas, offering a clearer picture of what you can expect.
For example, Washington and Lee University has a remarkable 94% graduation rate and an average earning of $94,810, positioning it as a top choice. In contrast, Virginia Military Institute, while still a solid program, has a lower graduation rate of 79% and a higher average debt of $22,996. These differences illustrate why it's crucial to dig deeper into what each institution offers.
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
Social mobility carries the heaviest weight in this ranking, and the measure comes from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built from more than 30 million anonymized tax records. Across the 30 schools here with that data, the average mobility rate is 1.4%. That figure is the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top. Norfolk State University leads the group at 3.4%, with Marymount University (3.4%) and George Mason University (3.1%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 7% of students at these schools come from families in the bottom income quintile. Virginia State University enrolls the most, at 32.8%, a sign it is reaching the students mobility is meant to lift. A high mobility rate paired with strong access is the combination that changes a generation's trajectory.
For the low-income students who do enroll, the success rate (the odds of reaching the top quintile) averages 26.5% across the list, peaking at 60.7% at University of Mary Washington.
These campuses can also be measured on social capital: the cross-class friendships Opportunity Insights links to long-run economic outcomes. Economic connectedness here averages 1.64, where about 1.0 is the national norm, and Washington and Lee University is highest at 1.82.
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 comparing two standout institutions, Washington and Lee University and William & Mary, clear differences emerge that highlight their unique strengths. Washington and Lee leads with an average earning of $94,810 and a graduation rate of 94%, while William & Mary, despite a solid 90% graduation rate, has lower average earnings of $73,490. This data suggests that students at Washington and Lee may experience a more lucrative return on their investment.
With so many schools to choose from, it's important to weigh these statistics against your personal priorities. Consider factors like location, campus culture, and program specifics. For example, if you value a higher earning potential, Washington and Lee might be more appealing, but if you prioritize a lower cost of attendance, the University of Virginia could be a better fit. Determine what aspects matter most to you before making a decision.
The path from college to a stable career is influenced by the choices we make today. For many families, selecting the right psychology program isn’t just about education; it’s about setting the stage for future opportunities. By closely examining the earnings and graduation rates, families can better understand the long-term implications of their choices, leading to more secure financial 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 Psychology Colleges in Virginia: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Psychology Colleges in Virginia ranking? +
Washington and Lee University in Lexington, VA ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Psychology 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 $57,390 average across the 36 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, Northern Virginia Community College leads: graduates earn a median $53,557 against net price of about $9,919 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 $20,725 a year across the 36 ranked schools with cost data. Northern Virginia Community College is among the most affordable at roughly $9,919. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Psychology 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 36 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
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