Virginia

Colleges in Virginia: what they cost, and what graduates earn

26 Virginia universities with published federal data, teaching about 219,775 students. Median in-state tuition $21,348, median graduate earnings $58,280 ten years after entry.

Median tuition$21,348in-state, before aid
Median earnings$58,28010 yrs after entry
Paying loans down73%national 65%
Median SAT1197where published

Cheapest universities in VirginiaLowest published in-state tuition.

UniversityIn-stateEarningsDebtRepayingSAT
Virginia State University Petersburg $10,043 $45,543 $26,500 27% 948
Norfolk State University Norfolk $10,180 $44,666 $29,000 27% 927
Radford University Radford $12,548 $53,739 $24,000 68% 1060
Old Dominion University Norfolk $12,750 $54,914 $24,000 52% 1197
George Mason University Fairfax $14,220 $76,343 $19,500 73% 1274
James Madison University Harrisonburg $14,250 $69,954 $20,093 82% 1256
University of Mary Washington Fredericksburg $14,640 $60,613 $20,500 74% 1272
Longwood University Farmville $15,744 $52,347 $25,000 74% 1120

Highest graduate earnings in VirginiaMedian pay ten years after entry.

UniversityIn-stateEarningsDebtRepayingSAT
Washington & Lee University Lexington $68,045 $94,810 $19,500 88% 1498
University of Virginia Charlottesville $21,803 $86,863 $17,500 86% 1480
Virginia Military Institute Lexington $21,046 $77,369 $22,996 84% 1244
George Mason University Fairfax $14,220 $76,343 $19,500 73% 1274
University of Richmond University of Richmond $65,230 $76,178 $21,000 76% 1497
James Madison University Harrisonburg $14,250 $69,954 $20,093 82% 1256
Hampden-Sydney College Hampden-Sydney $54,550 $67,640 $26,000 79% 1207
Marymount University Arlington $40,920 $67,516 $25,000 66% —

Fastest debt payback in VirginiaYears of salary premium needed to clear the median debt.

UniversityIn-stateEarningsDebtRepayingSAT
Washington & Lee University Lexington $68,045 $94,810 $19,500 88% 1498
University of Virginia Charlottesville $21,803 $86,863 $17,500 86% 1480
George Mason University Fairfax $14,220 $76,343 $19,500 73% 1274
University of Richmond University of Richmond $65,230 $76,178 $21,000 76% 1497
Virginia Military Institute Lexington $21,046 $77,369 $22,996 84% 1244
James Madison University Harrisonburg $14,250 $69,954 $20,093 82% 1256
Marymount University Arlington $40,920 $67,516 $25,000 66% —
Hampden-Sydney College Hampden-Sydney $54,550 $67,640 $26,000 79% 1207

Most selective universities in VirginiaHighest average SAT of admitted students.

UniversityIn-stateEarningsDebtRepayingSAT
Washington & Lee University Lexington $68,045 $94,810 $19,500 88% 1498
University of Richmond University of Richmond $65,230 $76,178 $21,000 76% 1497
University of Virginia Charlottesville $21,803 $86,863 $17,500 86% 1480
George Mason University Fairfax $14,220 $76,343 $19,500 73% 1274
University of Mary Washington Fredericksburg $14,640 $60,613 $20,500 74% 1272
James Madison University Harrisonburg $14,250 $69,954 $20,093 82% 1256
Virginia Military Institute Lexington $21,046 $77,369 $22,996 84% 1244
Sweet Briar College Sweet Briar $26,160 $51,943 $27,000 72% 1230

Scholarships at Virginia universities

Aid you never repay is the cheapest money in the whole calculation.

Hubert Humphery Fellowships for International Students, USA George Mason University Humane Studies Fellowship Program in U... International Scholarships at University of Mary Washington in... Fully-Funded Honors Scholarships at Eastern Mennonite Universi... Undergraduate out of State Scholarship - Virginia Commonwealth... International Grants at Marymount University, USA 2022-23
Browse all scholarships →

Every Virginia university we hold data for

Bridgewater College Christopher Newport University Eastern Mennonite University ECPI University George Mason University Hampden-Sydney College Hampton University James Madison University Liberty University Longwood University Marymount University Norfolk State University Old Dominion University Radford University Randolph-Macon College Regent University Roanoke College Shenandoah University Sweet Briar College University of Mary Washington University of Richmond University of Virginia Virginia Commonwealth University Virginia Military Institute Virginia State University Washington & Lee University

Studying in Virginia: common questions

How much does college cost in Virginia?
The median Virginia university charges $21,348 in-state and $32,692 out-of-state, with a full cost of attendance around $39,440. After aid, families under $30,000 pay a median $13,014.
What do graduates of Virginia universities earn?
A median $58,280 ten years after entry, against median debt of $24,673.
Do students in Virginia repay their loans?
73% of borrowers at the median Virginia university are paying their balance down three years after leaving, against 65% nationally.
What SAT score do Virginia universities expect?
The median Virginia university that publishes scores reports an average SAT of 1197. Many are test-optional and publish nothing.
All states Virginia debt vs salary Cheapest US tuition Which degree pays best

Source: US Department of Education College Scorecard. Universities without published figures are not listed.