Colleges with the best earnings for the price in Virginia
Colleges ranked by what former students earn ten years after enrolling, compared with four years of net price.
Colleges with the best earnings for the price in Virginia20 schools
20 schools qualify, ranked by earnings for the price.
How this list is made
- Schools in Virginia.
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- Academic Excellence grade B+ or better (the top 35% of rated colleges).
- Has median earnings ten years after enrolling and a net price from federal data (College Scorecard).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by earnings divided by four years of net price, highest first.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1Tie
Virginia Military Institute
Lexington, VA · PublicTop 9% for earnings
- Earnings are 1.1× the four-year net price
- Earnings $77,369 ten years out
- 1Tie
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA · PublicTop 10% for earnings
- Earnings are 1.1× the four-year net price
- Earnings $76,343 ten years out
- 3Tie
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA · PublicHonor RollTop 2% for graduation
- Earnings are 1.0× the four-year net price
- Earnings $86,863 ten years out
- 3Tie
Washington and Lee University
Lexington, VA · Private nonprofitHonor Roll#1 in Virginia
- Earnings are 1.0× the four-year net price
- Earnings $94,810 ten years out
- 3Tie
William & Mary
Williamsburg, VA · PublicHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A
- Earnings are 1.0× the four-year net price
- Earnings $73,490 ten years out
- 6Tie
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg, VA · PublicHonor RollTop 6% for graduation
- Earnings are 0.8× the four-year net price
- Earnings $81,698 ten years out
- 6Tie
Riverside College of Health Careers
Newport News, VA · Private nonprofitTop 1% for graduation
- Earnings are 0.8× the four-year net price
- Earnings $66,072 ten years out
- 6Tie
Hampden-Sydney College
Hampden-Sydney, VA · Private nonprofitTop 17% for earnings
- Earnings are 0.8× the four-year net price
- Earnings $67,640 ten years out
- 9Tie
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA · PublicTop 11% for graduation
- Earnings are 0.7× the four-year net price
- Earnings $69,954 ten years out
- 9Tie
University of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, VA · PublicVery good: Compass grade B+
- Earnings are 0.7× the four-year net price
- Earnings $60,613 ten years out
- 9Tie
Sweet Briar College
Sweet Briar, VA · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B
- Earnings are 0.7× the four-year net price
- Earnings $51,943 ten years out
- 9Tie
Chamberlain University-Virginia
Vienna, VA · Private for-profitTop 1% for graduation
- Earnings are 0.7× the four-year net price
- Earnings $92,405 ten years out
- 9Tie
Christopher Newport University
Newport News, VA · PublicTop 18% for graduation
- Earnings are 0.7× the four-year net price
- Earnings $60,509 ten years out
- 14Tie
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA · PublicGood: Compass grade B
- Earnings are 0.6× the four-year net price
- Earnings $58,128 ten years out
- 14Tie
University of Richmond
University of Richmond, VA · Private nonprofitHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A
- Earnings are 0.6× the four-year net price
- Earnings $76,178 ten years out
- 14Tie
Roanoke College
Salem, VA · Private nonprofitTop 25% for graduation
- Earnings are 0.6× the four-year net price
- Earnings $58,047 ten years out
- 14Tie
Eastern Mennonite University
Harrisonburg, VA · Private nonprofitTop 25% for graduation
- Earnings are 0.6× the four-year net price
- Earnings $54,869 ten years out
- 18Tie
Randolph-Macon College
Ashland, VA · Private nonprofitTop 20% for graduation
- Earnings are 0.5× the four-year net price
- Earnings $58,448 ten years out
- 18Tie
Shenandoah University
Winchester, VA · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B
- Earnings are 0.5× the four-year net price
- Earnings $58,433 ten years out
- 18Tie
Hollins University
Roanoke, VA · Private nonprofit#17 in Virginia
- Earnings are 0.5× the four-year net price
- Earnings $40,075 ten years out
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Military Institute | About $17,000 | $22,996 | $77,369 | 76% |
| George Mason University | About $18,000 | $19,500 | $76,343 | 68% |
| University of Virginia | About $22,000 | $17,500 | $86,863 | 96% |
| Washington and Lee University | About $24,000 | $19,500 | $94,810 | 94% |
| William & Mary | About $19,000 | $18,500 | $73,490 | 89% |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | About $25,000 | $21,500 | $81,698 | 86% |
| Riverside College of Health Careers | About $21,000 | $14,787 | $66,072 | 100% |
| Hampden-Sydney College | About $22,000 | $26,000 | $67,640 | 62% |
| James Madison University | About $23,000 | $20,093 | $69,954 | 80% |
| University of Mary Washington | About $21,000 | $20,500 | $60,613 | 66% |
| Sweet Briar College | About $18,000 | $27,000 | $51,943 | 52% |
| Chamberlain University-Virginia | About $33,000 | $20,919 | $92,405 | 100% |
| Christopher Newport University | About $23,000 | $25,000 | $60,509 | 72% |
| Virginia Commonwealth University | About $23,000 | $21,500 | $58,128 | 63% |
| University of Richmond | About $31,000 | $21,000 | $76,178 | 85% |
| Roanoke College | About $25,000 | $27,000 | $58,047 | 67% |
| Eastern Mennonite University | About $25,000 | $24,813 | $54,869 | 67% |
| Randolph-Macon College | About $28,000 | $27,000 | $58,448 | 70% |
| Shenandoah University | About $30,000 | $25,000 | $58,433 | 67% |
| Hollins University | About $21,000 | $27,000 | $40,075 | 65% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.
This list in other states
- Alabama 5
- Arizona 4
- Arkansas 5
- California 62
- Colorado 6
- Connecticut 13
- District of Columbia 5
- Florida 21
- Georgia 9
- Illinois 21
- Indiana 21
- Iowa 16
- Kansas 4
- Kentucky 7
- Louisiana 3
- Maine 9
- Maryland 15
- Massachusetts 46
- Michigan 20
- Minnesota 19
- Missouri 18
- Nebraska 8
- New Hampshire 5
- New Jersey 16
- New York 77
- North Carolina 16
- Ohio 32
- Oklahoma 4
- Oregon 10
- Pennsylvania 60
- Rhode Island 9
- South Carolina 9
- Tennessee 10
- Texas 20
- Utah 4
- Vermont 6
- Washington 13
- Wisconsin 15