Value Analysis · Virginia
Best Value Degrees in Virginia (2026)
Top 100 of 601 programs in Virginia · Updated 2026
The best college programs in Virginia, ranked by overall value. We scored 601 programs across Virginia schools on earnings, AI resilience, job demand, and tuition ROI. The top programs average $72,232/yr in graduate earnings.
Why a Blacksburg School Dominates Virginia's Tech Scene
Virginia Tech's #1 spot isn't about its mountain location; it's about its powerhouse reputation. As a premier engineering and research university, it acts as a primary recruiting ground for the entire Mid-Atlantic, from the defense and tech contractors in Northern Virginia to national firms. This creates a direct pipeline to high-paying jobs ($96,432/yr average earnings), delivering an exceptional 20.8x ROI that overcomes its distance from major metro hubs.
The George Mason Advantage: Location Is Everything
It’s no coincidence that George Mason University appears six times in the top 20. Located in Fairfax, on the doorstep of the Dulles Technology Corridor and Washington D.C., GMU has become the go-to talent pipeline for the region's massive tech and government contracting ecosystem. This geographic advantage provides students with unparalleled access to internships and jobs, turning degrees in fields like Computer Science and Accounting into high-ROI career launchers.
The AI Paradox: Why "High Risk" Is a Green Light
The top programs are nearly all in tech fields with "Very High" AI risk (59-63%). This isn't a warning sign; it's a map of the new landscape. AI is automating the routine coding and analysis once done by junior staff, raising the bar for entry. A degree from a top program like UVA or Virginia Tech is valuable not for teaching you to compete with AI, but for teaching you how to build, manage, and critically evaluate the AI-powered systems of the future.
Virginia's Value Kings: The Public School Lockout
The most striking pattern is the complete dominance of public universities—they hold all 20 of the top 20 spots. This isn't an anomaly; it's the core of Virginia's value proposition. The state's public system offers a potent, hard-to-beat formula: nationally recognized academic programs combined with in-state tuition that creates outstanding ROI. For value-conscious students in Virginia, the data shows that public education is the undisputed champion.
Programs in VA
601
Avg Earnings (Top 100)
$72,232/yr
Avg DW Score
78/100
#1 Program
Information Sciences
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Top Institutions
Leading the field for Best Degrees in Virginia
The top four programs by DegreeOutlook Score. Full ranking of 100 programs below.
The Ranking Matrix
Top Programs in Virginia
Top 100 programs by DegreeOutlook Score. Click any row for full analysis.
Sort by
| # | Program | DW Score | Earnings | AI Risk | ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Information Sciences
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University · Blacksburg, VA
|
90
83–90
|
$96,432/yr | Very High | 20.8x |
| 2 |
Information Sciences
University of Virginia-Main Campus · Charlottesville, VA
|
89
83–90
|
$98,067/yr | Very High | 18.2x |
| 3 |
Information Sciences
George Mason University · Fairfax, VA
|
88
81–89
|
$78,800/yr | Very High | 19.2x |
| 4 |
Computer Science
George Mason University · Fairfax, VA
|
88
81–89
|
$84,632/yr | Very High | 20.0x |
| 5 |
Information Sciences
James Madison University · Harrisonburg, VA
|
88
81–89
|
$81,761/yr | Very High | 19.2x |
| 6 |
Management Science
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University · Blacksburg, VA
|
87
83–88
|
$77,877/yr | Very High | 16.7x |
| 7 |
Information Sciences
Virginia Commonwealth University · Richmond, VA
|
87
81–88
|
$84,338/yr | Very High | 16.8x |
| 8 |
Finance
James Madison University · Harrisonburg, VA
|
86
84–87
|
$67,849/yr | Very High | 19.9x |
| 9 |
Information Sciences
University of Mary Washington · Fredericksburg, VA
|
86
79–87
|
$76,301/yr | Very High | 16.5x |
| 10 |
Computer Science
William & Mary · Williamsburg, VA
|
85
78–86
|
$84,956/yr | Very High | 13.5x |
| 11 |
Nursing
George Mason University · Fairfax, VA
|
85
82–85
|
$78,365/yr | High | 15.1x |
| 12 |
Management Science
George Mason University · Fairfax, VA
|
85
81–86
|
$68,049/yr | Very High | 16.8x |
| 13 |
Information Science
James Madison University · Harrisonburg, VA
|
85
78–86
|
$80,173/yr | Very High | 19.5x |
| 14 |
Nursing
Old Dominion University · Norfolk, VA
|
85
82–85
|
$76,527/yr | High | 16.1x |
| 15 |
Computer Engineering
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University · Blacksburg, VA
|
85
78–86
|
$86,636/yr | Very High | 19.0x |
| 16 |
Computer Engineering
George Mason University · Fairfax, VA
|
84
78–86
|
$87,466/yr | Very High | 18.7x |
| 17 |
Information Sciences
Old Dominion University · Norfolk, VA
|
84
78–85
|
$64,530/yr | Very High | 18.7x |
| 18 |
Computer Science
Radford University · Radford, VA
|
84
77–85
|
$66,857/yr | Very High | 18.5x |
| 19 |
Computer Engineering
University of Virginia-Main Campus · Charlottesville, VA
|
84
79–85
|
$118,232/yr | Very High | 15.6x |
| 20 |
Accounting
George Mason University · Fairfax, VA
|
83
80–85
|
$67,291/yr | Very High | 15.8x |
| 21 |
Finance
George Mason University · Fairfax, VA
|
83
81–85
|
$62,989/yr | Very High | 16.6x |
| 22 |
Nursing
James Madison University · Harrisonburg, VA
|
83
80–83
|
$76,490/yr | High | 13.7x |
| 23 |
Accounting
James Madison University · Harrisonburg, VA
|
83
79–85
|
$71,563/yr | Very High | 15.3x |
| 24 |
Computer Engineering
Old Dominion University · Norfolk, VA
|
83
77–84
|
$70,298/yr | Very High | 21.2x |
| 25 |
Finance
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University · Blacksburg, VA
|
83
81–85
|
$66,601/yr | Very High | 15.4x |
| 26 |
Computer Science
Christopher Newport University · Newport News, VA
|
82
75–83
|
$72,128/yr | Very High | 13.4x |
| 27 |
Accounting
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University · Blacksburg, VA
|
82
79–84
|
$70,303/yr | Very High | 14.3x |
| 28 |
Nursing
South University-Richmond · Glen Allen, VA
|
82
79–82
|
$77,635/yr | High | 11.4x |
| 29 |
Nursing
South University-Virginia Beach · Virginia Beach, VA
|
82
79–82
|
$77,635/yr | High | 11.4x |
| 30 |
Nursing
Chamberlain University-Virginia · Vienna, VA
|
82
78–82
|
$83,188/yr | High | 10.3x |
| 31 |
Information Sciences
Strayer University-Virginia · Arlington, VA
|
81
75–82
|
$67,315/yr | Very High | 14.0x |
| 32 |
Nursing
Virginia Commonwealth University · Richmond, VA
|
81
79–81
|
$71,847/yr | High | 12.1x |
| 33 |
Nursing
ECPI University · Virginia Beach, VA
|
81
78–81
|
$77,550/yr | High | 10.9x |
| 34 |
Information Sciences
Liberty University · Lynchburg, VA
|
80
73–80
|
$56,258/yr | Very High | 12.7x |
| 35 |
Nursing
Radford University · Radford, VA
|
80
77–79
|
$69,662/yr | High | 13.4x |
| 36 |
Nursing
University of Virginia's College at Wise · Wise, VA
|
80
78–80
|
$72,911/yr | High | 13.8x |
| 37 |
Construction Management
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University · Blacksburg, VA
|
80
77–81
|
$76,246/yr | High | 14.7x |
| 38 |
Economics
James Madison University · Harrisonburg, VA
|
79
75–80
|
$62,286/yr | Very High | 16.8x |
| 39 |
Information Science
Strayer University-Virginia · Arlington, VA
|
79
73–80
|
$71,167/yr | Very High | 14.7x |
| 40 |
Business Administration
James Madison University · Harrisonburg, VA
|
78
72–78
|
$65,931/yr | High | 14.2x |
| 41 |
Nursing
Longwood University · Farmville, VA
|
78
76–78
|
$69,962/yr | High | 11.0x |
| 42 |
Finance
Radford University · Radford, VA
|
78
76–79
|
$48,446/yr | Very High | 16.5x |
| 43 |
Nursing
University of Virginia-Main Campus · Charlottesville, VA
|
78
75–78
|
$75,220/yr | High | 8.8x |
| 44 |
Nursing
Liberty University · Lynchburg, VA
|
77
74–76
|
$71,918/yr | High | 8.4x |
| 45 |
Business Administration
William & Mary · Williamsburg, VA
|
76
72–77
|
$75,038/yr | High | 9.3x |
| 46 |
Systems Engineering
George Mason University · Fairfax, VA
|
76
72–77
|
$84,942/yr | Very High | 20.9x |
| 47 |
Nursing
Marymount University · Arlington, VA
|
76
73–76
|
$80,090/yr | High | 4.8x |
| 48 |
Accounting
Radford University · Radford, VA
|
76
73–78
|
$51,643/yr | Very High | 14.4x |
| 49 |
Information Sciences
University of Richmond · University of Richmond, VA
|
76
70–77
|
$76,763/yr | Very High | 3.9x |
| 50 |
Nursing
Shenandoah University · Winchester, VA
|
76
73–76
|
$81,678/yr | High | 5.1x |
| 51 |
Economics
University of Virginia-Main Campus · Charlottesville, VA
|
76
72–77
|
$74,958/yr | Very High | 10.4x |
| 52 |
Nursing
Bluefield University · Bluefield, VA
|
75
72–75
|
$70,698/yr | High | 6.1x |
| 53 |
Information Science
Christopher Newport University · Newport News, VA
|
75
68–76
|
$58,550/yr | Very High | 12.5x |
| 54 |
Nursing
Centra College · Lynchburg, VA
|
75
72–75
|
$80,832/yr | High | 15.5x |
| 55 |
Accounting
Old Dominion University · Norfolk, VA
|
75
72–77
|
$52,226/yr | Very High | 13.9x |
| 56 |
Information Science
Virginia Commonwealth University · Richmond, VA
|
75
69–76
|
$62,116/yr | Very High | 12.2x |
| 57 |
Civil Engineering
George Mason University · Fairfax, VA
|
74
71–75
|
$75,822/yr | High | 16.4x |
| 58 |
Electrical Engineering
George Mason University · Fairfax, VA
|
74
70–76
|
$82,175/yr | Very High | 17.8x |
| 59 |
Nursing
Hampton University · Hampton, VA
|
74
72–74
|
$69,303/yr | High | 5.9x |
| 60 |
Systems Science and Theory
James Madison University · Harrisonburg, VA
|
74
74–74
|
$65,683/yr | Moderate | 17.7x |
| 61 |
Health and Medical Administrative Services
James Madison University · Harrisonburg, VA
|
74
68–75
|
$53,913/yr | High | 12.8x |
| 62 |
Nursing
Strayer University-Virginia · Arlington, VA
|
74
71–74
|
$81,061/yr | High | 13.6x |
| 63 |
Electrical Engineering
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University · Blacksburg, VA
|
74
69–75
|
$83,364/yr | Very High | 15.7x |
| 64 |
Construction Engineering
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University · Blacksburg, VA
|
74
71–76
|
$82,627/yr | High | 14.6x |
| 65 |
Economics
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University · Blacksburg, VA
|
74
70–75
|
$56,261/yr | Very High | 13.0x |
| 66 |
Business Administration
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University · Blacksburg, VA
|
74
68–75
|
$60,678/yr | High | 11.7x |
| 67 |
Systems Engineering
University of Virginia-Main Campus · Charlottesville, VA
|
74
70–75
|
$91,178/yr | Very High | 14.6x |
| 68 |
Accounting
Washington and Lee University · Lexington, VA
|
74
70–76
|
$81,625/yr | Very High | 3.1x |
| 69 |
Public Policy
George Mason University · Fairfax, VA
|
73
69–74
|
$56,674/yr | High | 12.2x |
| 70 |
Economics
George Mason University · Fairfax, VA
|
73
69–74
|
$53,024/yr | Very High | 13.8x |
| 71 |
Business Administration
George Mason University · Fairfax, VA
|
73
67–74
|
$55,147/yr | High | 12.6x |
| 72 |
Information Sciences
Marymount University · Arlington, VA
|
73
67–74
|
$68,364/yr | Very High | 4.9x |
| 73 |
Mechanical Engineering
Old Dominion University · Norfolk, VA
|
73
70–74
|
$71,774/yr | Very High | 17.7x |
| 74 |
Aerospace Engineering
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University · Blacksburg, VA
|
73
70–74
|
$76,856/yr | High | 15.2x |
| 75 |
Mechanical Engineering
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University · Blacksburg, VA
|
73
69–74
|
$78,280/yr | Very High | 14.8x |
| 76 |
Industrial Engineering
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University · Blacksburg, VA
|
73
70–74
|
$82,437/yr | High | 15.8x |
| 77 |
Accounting
Virginia Commonwealth University · Richmond, VA
|
73
69–75
|
$56,876/yr | Very High | 9.9x |
| 78 |
Business Administration
Christopher Newport University · Newport News, VA
|
72
66–72
|
$54,432/yr | High | 10.8x |
| 79 |
Marketing
James Madison University · Harrisonburg, VA
|
72
66–73
|
$61,692/yr | Very High | 14.8x |
| 80 |
Nursing
University of Mary Washington · Fredericksburg, VA
|
72
69–72
|
$76,013/yr | High | 12.1x |
| 81 |
Electrical Engineering
Old Dominion University · Norfolk, VA
|
72
68–73
|
$73,418/yr | Very High | 17.4x |
| 82 |
Finance
Old Dominion University · Norfolk, VA
|
72
70–73
|
$48,125/yr | Very High | 12.7x |
| 83 |
Information Science
Radford University · Radford, VA
|
72
67–73
|
$46,446/yr | Very High | 16.2x |
| 84 |
Chemical Engineering
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University · Blacksburg, VA
|
72
69–74
|
$82,382/yr | High | 15.0x |
| 85 |
Engineering Mechanics
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University · Blacksburg, VA
|
72
69–73
|
$81,735/yr | High | 15.4x |
| 86 |
Chemical Engineering
University of Virginia-Main Campus · Charlottesville, VA
|
72
68–73
|
$85,772/yr | High | 12.8x |
| 87 |
Electrical Engineering
University of Virginia-Main Campus · Charlottesville, VA
|
72
68–73
|
$82,135/yr | Very High | 12.6x |
| 88 |
Mathematics
University of Virginia-Main Campus · Charlottesville, VA
|
72
67–74
|
$60,784/yr | Very High | 14.9x |
| 89 |
Management Science
University of Virginia-Main Campus · Charlottesville, VA
|
72
68–73
|
$93,565/yr | Very High | 10.1x |
| 90 |
Economics
Washington and Lee University · Lexington, VA
|
72
69–73
|
$71,737/yr | Very High | 4.6x |
| 91 |
Economics
William & Mary · Williamsburg, VA
|
71
67–72
|
$65,603/yr | Very High | 7.7x |
| 92 |
Nursing
Eastern Mennonite University · Harrisonburg, VA
|
71
69–71
|
$73,478/yr | High | 3.6x |
| 93 |
Computer Science
Longwood University · Farmville, VA
|
71
63–72
|
$78,085/yr | Very High | 11.8x |
| 94 |
Business Administration
Longwood University · Farmville, VA
|
71
65–72
|
$49,213/yr | High | 11.7x |
| 95 |
Accounting
University of Richmond · University of Richmond, VA
|
71
68–73
|
$71,508/yr | Very High | 3.0x |
| 96 |
Electrical Engineering
Virginia Commonwealth University · Richmond, VA
|
71
68–73
|
$77,938/yr | Very High | 14.1x |
| 97 |
Business Administration
Washington and Lee University · Lexington, VA
|
71
66–71
|
$76,627/yr | High | 3.2x |
| 98 |
Information Sciences
ECPI University · Virginia Beach, VA
|
71
65–72
|
$61,328/yr | Very High | 8.1x |
| 99 |
Computer Networking
DeVry University-Virginia · Arlington, VA
|
71
65–73
|
$60,540/yr | Very High | 9.5x |
| 100 |
Business Administration
University of Mary Washington · Fredericksburg, VA
|
70
64–70
|
$47,315/yr | High | 11.7x |
FAQ
Frequently asked
What is the best college program in Virginia?
By DegreeOutlook Score, Information Sciences at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University ranks #1 in Virginia with a score of 90/100 and graduate earnings of $96,432/yr.
How many college programs are in Virginia?
Our database includes 601 programs across Virginia colleges with reported earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education.