2027 Best Value Economics Schools in Virginia
[Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 12 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value economics schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Economics Schools in Virginia
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the economics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Economics Schools
George Mason University earned the #1 spot for value among economics schools in Virginia. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,220, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $74,431. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants.
Virginia Military Institute came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value economics schools. Virginia Military Institute is a small public school located in the town of Lexington. In-state tuition and fees average $21,046, with out-of-state students paying around $52,638. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $23,250. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Virginia Military Institute generally make around $46,046. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Virginia Military Institute admits about 71% of applicants.
College Of William And Mary came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value economics schools. College Of William And Mary is a large public school located in the suburb of Williamsburg. Students from in state pay about $25,734 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $51,038. Economics graduates carry a median of $19,678 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from College Of William And Mary generally make around $65,603. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. College Of William And Mary admits about 34% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in economics will find it at University Of Virginia Main Campus, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $74,958. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. University Of Virginia Main Campus admits about 17% of applicants.
University Of Mary Washington came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value economics schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $28,083. Economics graduates carry a median of $22,825 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $45,153. That is a strong return on a $22,825 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
James Madison University landed the #6 spot for economics value this year. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,966, while out-of-state students pay about $31,312. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $18,575. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from James Madison University generally make around $62,286. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Christopher Newport University placed #7 among the best values for economics. Located in the city of Newport News, Christopher Newport University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,828, while out-of-state students pay about $31,178. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $23,125. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Christopher Newport University generally make around $45,309. Set against $23,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Christopher Newport University admits about 86% of applicants.
Hampden Sydney College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value economics schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $52,155. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 41%.
Virginia Commonwealth University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value economics schools. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,720, compared with $39,884 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,813 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $57,000 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,813 median debt. Virginia Commonwealth University admits about 93% of applicants.
Washington And Lee University placed #10 among the best values for economics. Set in the town of Lexington, Washington And Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,045. Students borrow a median of $23,399 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Washington And Lee University generally make around $71,737. That is a strong return on a $23,399 median debt. Washington And Lee University admits about 14% of applicants.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #11 for value in economics this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Economics graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Economics graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $56,261 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
University Of Richmond placed #12 among the best values for economics. Set in the city of University of Richmond, University Of Richmond is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,230. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $23,000. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from University Of Richmond generally make around $61,027. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 22%.
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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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
