2027 Best Value General Economics Schools in Virginia
[General Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/economics-general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 8 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general economics students.
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2027 Best Value General Economics Schools in Virginia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general economics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Economics Schools
Virginia Military Institute earned the #1 spot for value among general economics schools in Virginia. Virginia Military Institute is a small public school located in the town of Lexington. Students from in state pay about $21,046 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $52,638. General Economics graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Virginia Military Institute generally make around $46,046. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
College Of William And Mary came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general economics schools. Located in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $25,734 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $51,038. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $19,678. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from College Of William And Mary generally make around $65,603. Set against $19,678 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 34%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Mary Washington earned it the #3 place for general economics. Located in the suburb of Fredericksburg, University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,905, while out-of-state students pay about $28,083. Students borrow a median of $22,825 to complete the general economics program here. General Economics graduates of University Of Mary Washington earn a median of $45,153 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,825 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Students looking for strong value in general economics will find it at Hampden Sydney College, which ranked #4. Set in the rural area of Hampden-Sydney, Hampden Sydney College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $54,550. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $27,000. Early-career general economics graduates make about $52,155. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 41%.
A rank of #5 makes Christopher Newport University one of the best values for general economics. Set in the city of Newport News, Christopher Newport University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,828, while out-of-state students pay about $31,178. Students borrow a median of $23,125 to complete the general economics program here. Early-career general economics graduates make about $45,309. Set against $23,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
James Madison University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value general economics schools. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,966 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,312. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $18,575. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from James Madison University generally make around $62,286. That is a strong return on a $18,575 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Washington And Lee University placed #7 among the best values for general economics. Located in the town of Lexington, Washington And Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,045. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $23,399. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Washington And Lee University generally make around $71,737. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University placed #8 among the best values for general economics. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. In-state tuition and fees average $15,948, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. General Economics graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $56,261. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.
- 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.
