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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.

Programs in VA

601

Avg Earnings (Top 100)

$72,232/yr

Avg DW Score

78/100

#1 Program

Computer and Information Sciences, General

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Top Programs in Virginia

Top 100 programs by DegreeWorth Score. Click any row for full analysis.

#	Program	DW Score	Earnings	AI Risk	ROI
1	Computer and Information Sciences, General Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University · Blacksburg, VA	90 83–90	$96,432/yr	Very High	20.8x
2	Computer and Information Sciences, General University of Virginia-Main Campus · Charlottesville, VA	89 83–90	$98,067/yr	Very High	18.2x
3	Computer and Information Sciences, General 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	Computer and Information Sciences, General James Madison University · Harrisonburg, VA	88 81–89	$81,761/yr	Very High	19.2x
6	Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University · Blacksburg, VA	87 83–88	$77,877/yr	Very High	16.7x
7	Computer and Information Sciences, General Virginia Commonwealth University · Richmond, VA	87 81–88	$84,338/yr	Very High	16.8x
8	Finance and Financial Management Services James Madison University · Harrisonburg, VA	86 84–87	$67,849/yr	Very High	19.9x
9	Computer and Information Sciences, General 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	Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration George Mason University · Fairfax, VA	85 82–85	$78,365/yr	High	15.1x
12	Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods George Mason University · Fairfax, VA	85 81–86	$68,049/yr	Very High	16.8x
13	Information Science/Studies James Madison University · Harrisonburg, VA	85 78–86	$80,173/yr	Very High	19.5x
14	Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration 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	Computer and Information Sciences, General 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 and Related Services George Mason University · Fairfax, VA	83 80–85	$67,291/yr	Very High	15.8x
21	Finance and Financial Management Services George Mason University · Fairfax, VA	83 81–85	$62,989/yr	Very High	16.6x
22	Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration James Madison University · Harrisonburg, VA	83 80–83	$76,490/yr	High	13.7x
23	Accounting and Related Services 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 and Financial Management Services 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 and Related Services Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University · Blacksburg, VA	82 79–84	$70,303/yr	Very High	14.3x
28	Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration South University-Richmond · Glen Allen, VA	82 79–82	$77,635/yr	High	11.4x
29	Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration South University-Virginia Beach · Virginia Beach, VA	82 79–82	$77,635/yr	High	11.4x
30	Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration Chamberlain University-Virginia · Vienna, VA	82 78–82	$83,188/yr	High	10.3x
31	Computer and Information Sciences, General Strayer University-Virginia · Arlington, VA	81 75–82	$67,315/yr	Very High	14.0x
32	Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration Virginia Commonwealth University · Richmond, VA	81 79–81	$71,847/yr	High	12.1x
33	Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration ECPI University · Virginia Beach, VA	81 78–81	$77,550/yr	High	10.9x
34	Computer and Information Sciences, General Liberty University · Lynchburg, VA	80 73–80	$56,258/yr	Very High	12.7x
35	Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration Radford University · Radford, VA	80 77–79	$69,662/yr	High	13.4x
36	Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration 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/Studies 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	Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration Longwood University · Farmville, VA	78 76–78	$69,962/yr	High	11.0x
42	Finance and Financial Management Services Radford University · Radford, VA	78 76–79	$48,446/yr	Very High	16.5x
43	Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration University of Virginia-Main Campus · Charlottesville, VA	78 75–78	$75,220/yr	High	8.8x
44	Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration 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	Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration Marymount University · Arlington, VA	76 73–76	$80,090/yr	High	4.8x
48	Accounting and Related Services Radford University · Radford, VA	76 73–78	$51,643/yr	Very High	14.4x
49	Computer and Information Sciences, General University of Richmond · University of Richmond, VA	76 70–77	$76,763/yr	Very High	3.9x
50	Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration 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	Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration Bluefield University · Bluefield, VA	75 72–75	$70,698/yr	High	6.1x
53	Information Science/Studies Christopher Newport University · Newport News, VA	75 68–76	$58,550/yr	Very High	12.5x
54	Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration Centra College · Lynchburg, VA	75 72–75	$80,832/yr	High	15.5x
55	Accounting and Related Services Old Dominion University · Norfolk, VA	75 72–77	$52,226/yr	Very High	13.9x
56	Information Science/Studies 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 George Mason University · Fairfax, VA	74 70–76	$82,175/yr	Very High	17.8x
59	Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration 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	Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration Strayer University-Virginia · Arlington, VA	74 71–74	$81,061/yr	High	13.6x
63	Electrical 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 and Related Services Washington and Lee University · Lexington, VA	74 70–76	$81,625/yr	Very High	3.1x
69	Public Administration 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	Computer and Information Sciences, General 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 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 and Related Services 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	Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration University of Mary Washington · Fredericksburg, VA	72 69–72	$76,013/yr	High	12.1x
81	Electrical Old Dominion University · Norfolk, VA	72 68–73	$73,418/yr	Very High	17.4x
82	Finance and Financial Management Services Old Dominion University · Norfolk, VA	72 70–73	$48,125/yr	Very High	12.7x
83	Information Science/Studies 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 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 Sciences and Quantitative Methods 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	Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration 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 and Related Services University of Richmond · University of Richmond, VA	71 68–73	$71,508/yr	Very High	3.0x
96	Electrical 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	Computer and Information Sciences, General ECPI University · Virginia Beach, VA	71 65–72	$61,328/yr	Very High	8.1x
99	Computer Systems 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

Methodology

This ranking includes the top 100 programs at Virginia colleges and universities, drawn from 601 total programs with earnings data. Programs are ranked by DegreeWorth Score (0–100), which combines graduate earnings, AI automation resilience, job market demand, and tuition ROI.

Only in-state tuition is used for ROI calculations. Earnings data comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best college program in Virginia?

By DegreeWorth Score, Computer and Information Sciences, General 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.

Data: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (earnings, debt), Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024–2034 (employment projections), OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs research (AI task exposure), Felten et al. AIOE. Last updated 2025.