2027 Best General Engineering Schools in Virginia
General Engineering is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 14 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for general engineering students pursuing a degree.
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Best Schools for General Engineering in Virginia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall general engineering education in Virginia.
Top Schools in General Engineering
Leading the list is Washington And Lee University, our #1 school for general engineering. Located in the town of Lexington, Washington And Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 12 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at Washington And Lee University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general engineering program make about $76,810 in their early career. Washington And Lee University graduates carry a median of $20,074 in student loans.
See the full general engineering program report for Washington And Lee University
Students looking for a strong general engineering program will find one at James Madison University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. James Madison University awarded about 78 general engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general engineering degree from James Madison University earn around $71,176 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
Get the full general engineering details for James Madison University
John Tyler Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best general engineering schools. Located in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public university. John Tyler Community College awarded about 30 general engineering degrees in the most recent data year. General Engineering graduates of John Tyler Community College earn a median of $36,623 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,262.
See the full general engineering program report for John Tyler Community College
A rank of #4 makes Eastern Mennonite University one of the top schools for general engineering. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Harrisonburg. Eastern Mennonite University graduates 67% of students within six years. Eastern Mennonite University awarded about 13 general engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general engineering program make about $55,325 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,415.
See the full general engineering program report for Eastern Mennonite University
Randolph Macon College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Ashland, Randolph Macon College is a small private not-for-profit university. Randolph Macon College graduates 70% of students within six years. Randolph Macon College awarded about 12 general engineering degrees in the most recent data year. General Engineering graduates of Randolph Macon College earn a median of $40,317 early in their careers. Randolph Macon College graduates carry a median of $26,432 in student loans.
Read more about the general engineering program at Randolph Macon College
Northern Virginia Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best general engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 223 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at Northern Virginia Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general engineering degree from Northern Virginia Community College earn around $16,790 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general engineering from Northern Virginia Community College
Tidewater Community College came in at #7 for general engineering this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a very large public university. There were roughly 64 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at Tidewater Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Tidewater Community College generally make around $68,555. Students borrow a median of $12,250 to complete this degree.
Get the full general engineering details for Tidewater Community College
Germanna Community College earned the #8 position for general engineering this year. Located in the rural area of Locust Grove, Germanna Community College is a large public university. About 35 general engineering degrees were awarded at Germanna Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Germanna Community College generally make around $41,880. Germanna Community College graduates carry a median of $10,999 in student loans.
See the full general engineering program report for Germanna Community College
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College landed the #9 spot for general engineering this year. Located in the suburb of Richmond, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public university. About 30 general engineering degrees were awarded at J Sargeant Reynolds Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from J Sargeant Reynolds Community College generally make around $36,965. Typical student debt for the program is $10,500.
More information about a degree in general engineering from J Sargeant Reynolds Community College
Lord Fairfax Community College came in at #10 for general engineering this year. Located in the rural area of Middletown, Lord Fairfax Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Lord Fairfax Community College awarded about 20 general engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general engineering degree from Lord Fairfax Community College earn around $37,531 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,698.
Get the full general engineering details for Lord Fairfax Community College
Piedmont Virginia Community College earned the #11 position for general engineering this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Charlottesville. About 16 general engineering degrees were awarded at Piedmont Virginia Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Piedmont Virginia Community College generally make around $46,129. Students borrow a median of $12,495 to complete this degree.
See the full general engineering program report for Piedmont Virginia Community College
Old Dominion University landed the #12 spot for general engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Norfolk. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 128 general engineering degrees were awarded at Old Dominion University in the most recent year. General Engineering graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $88,224 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,001.
See the full general engineering program report for Old Dominion University
Virginia Western Community College came in at #13 for general engineering this year. Set in the city of Roanoke, Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Virginia Western Community College awarded about 32 general engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Virginia Western Community College generally make around $36,245. Typical student debt for the program is $13,715.
Read more about the general engineering program at Virginia Western Community College
Thomas Nelson Community College landed the #14 spot for general engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Hampton, Thomas Nelson Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 24 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at Thomas Nelson Community College in the most recent data year. General Engineering graduates of Thomas Nelson Community College earn a median of $36,758 early in their careers. Thomas Nelson Community College graduates carry a median of $14,402 in student loans.
See the full general engineering program report for Thomas Nelson Community College
More General Engineering Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 14 schools evaluated.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
