2026 Best Value Economics Schools in Virginia
[Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong economics education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 28 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value economics schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 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
Our analysis ranked George Mason University the best value for a degree in economics in Virginia. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,220, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $74,431 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in economics will find it at Radford University, which ranked #2. Radford University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Radford. In-state tuition and fees average $12,548, with out-of-state students paying around $25,633. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Radford University generally make around $45,189. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Radford University admits about 90% of applicants.
Virginia Military Institute is a great value for students pursuing a degree in economics, landing the #3 spot this year. Virginia Military Institute is a small public school located in the town of Lexington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,046, with out-of-state students paying around $52,638. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $46,046. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Virginia Military Institute admits about 71% of applicants.
James Madison University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in economics, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,966 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,312. Students borrow a median of $18,575 to complete the economics program here. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Christopher Newport University earned it the #5 place for economics. Located in the city of Newport News, Christopher Newport University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $16,828 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,178. Economics graduates carry a median of $23,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Christopher Newport University generally make around $45,309. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Christopher Newport University admits about 86% of applicants.
College Of William And Mary earned the #6 position for value in economics this year. Set in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,734, with out-of-state students paying around $51,038. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $19,678. Economics graduates of College Of William And Mary earn a median of $65,603 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 34% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Virginia Main Campus earned the #7 position for value in economics this year. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $23,118, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $74,958. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. Roughly 17% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University landed the #8 spot for economics value this year. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,948, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University admits about 55% of applicants.
Washington And Lee University earned the #9 position for value in economics this year. 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 economics graduates is $23,399. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Washington And Lee University generally make around $71,737. Set against $23,399 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 14%.
Hampden Sydney College placed #10 among the best values for economics. Hampden Sydney College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Hampden-Sydney. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $54,550. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $52,155. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 41% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Richmond placed #11 among the best values for economics. University Of Richmond is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of University of Richmond. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,230. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $23,000. Economics graduates of University Of Richmond earn a median of $61,027 early in their careers. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 22% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.
