2027 Best General Engineering Schools in Virginia
General Engineering is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their general engineering programs.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 14 schools to find the best for general engineering students.
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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
Our analysis ranked Washington And Lee University the best school in the country for a degree in general engineering. Washington And Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Lexington. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Washington And Lee University awarded about 12 general engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Washington And Lee University generally make around $76,810. 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. James Madison University is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. About 78 general engineering degrees were awarded at James Madison University in the most recent year. General Engineering graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $71,176 early in their careers. James Madison University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in general engineering from James Madison University
A rank of #3 makes John Tyler Community College one of the top schools for general engineering. Set in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public institution. About 30 general engineering degrees were awarded at John Tyler Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the general engineering program make about $36,623 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,262 to complete this degree.
Read more about the general engineering program at John Tyler Community College
Eastern Mennonite University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best general engineering schools. Eastern Mennonite University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Harrisonburg. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. Eastern Mennonite University awarded about 13 general engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general engineering degree from Eastern Mennonite University earn around $55,325 in the first couple years of their career. Eastern Mennonite University graduates carry a median of $25,415 in student loans.
Read more about the general engineering program at Eastern Mennonite University
Students looking for a strong general engineering program will find one at Randolph Macon College, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Ashland, Randolph Macon College is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. 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. Students borrow a median of $26,432 to complete this degree.
Read more about the general engineering program at Randolph Macon College
Northern Virginia Community College came in at #6 for general engineering this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Annandale. About 223 general engineering degrees were awarded at Northern Virginia Community College in the most recent 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. Typical student debt for the program is $9,500.
Read more about the general engineering program at Northern Virginia Community College
Tidewater Community College landed the #7 spot for general engineering this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a very large public university. About 64 general engineering degrees were awarded at Tidewater Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their general engineering degree from Tidewater Community College earn around $68,555 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,250.
More information about a degree in general engineering from Tidewater Community College
Germanna Community College placed #8 among the best general engineering schools. Set in the rural area of Locust Grove, Germanna Community College is a large public institution. There were roughly 35 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at Germanna Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Germanna Community College generally make around $41,880. Students borrow a median of $10,999 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in general engineering from Germanna Community College
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best general engineering schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Richmond. About 30 general engineering degrees were awarded at J Sargeant Reynolds Community College in the most recent year. General Engineering graduates of J Sargeant Reynolds Community College earn a median of $36,965 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete this degree.
See the full general engineering program report for J Sargeant Reynolds Community College
Lord Fairfax Community College came in at #10 for general engineering this year. Lord Fairfax Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Middletown. There were roughly 20 general engineering students who graduated with this degree at Lord Fairfax Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Lord Fairfax Community College generally make around $37,531. Typical student debt for the program is $10,698.
See the full general engineering program report for Lord Fairfax Community College
Piedmont Virginia Community College placed #11 among the best general engineering schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Charlottesville. Piedmont Virginia Community College awarded about 16 general engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Piedmont Virginia Community College generally make around $46,129. Piedmont Virginia Community College graduates carry a median of $12,495 in student loans.
Get the full general engineering details for Piedmont Virginia Community College
Old Dominion University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best general engineering schools. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. Old Dominion University graduates 46% of students within six years. Old Dominion University awarded about 128 general engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general engineering degree from Old Dominion University earn around $88,224 in the first couple years of their career. Old Dominion University graduates carry a median of $26,001 in student loans.
More information about a degree in general engineering from Old Dominion University
Virginia Western Community College landed the #13 spot for general engineering this year. Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Roanoke. About 32 general engineering degrees were awarded at Virginia Western Community College in the most recent year. General Engineering graduates of Virginia Western Community College earn a median of $36,245 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,715.
More information about a degree in general engineering from Virginia Western Community College
Thomas Nelson Community College landed the #14 spot for general engineering this year. Thomas Nelson Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Hampton. Thomas Nelson Community College awarded about 24 general engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general engineering degree recipients from Thomas Nelson Community College generally make around $36,758. Students borrow a median of $14,402 to complete this degree.
Read more about the general engineering program at Thomas Nelson Community College
More General Engineering Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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.
