2027 Best Economics Schools in Virginia
Economics degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 12 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for economics students pursuing a degree.
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Best Schools for Economics in Virginia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall economics education in Virginia.
Top Schools in Economics
University Of Virginia Main Campus tops our 2027 ranking of the best economics schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Charlottesville. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 385 economics degrees were awarded at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent year. Economics graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $74,958 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete this degree.
See the full economics program report for University Of Virginia Main Campus
College Of William And Mary is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in economics, landing the #2 spot this year. College Of William And Mary is a large public school located in the suburb of Williamsburg. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. There were roughly 114 economics students who graduated with this degree at College Of William And Mary in the most recent data year. Students who receive their economics degree from College Of William And Mary earn around $65,603 in the first couple years of their career. College Of William And Mary graduates carry a median of $19,678 in student loans.
See the full economics program report for College Of William And Mary
James Madison University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in economics, landing the #3 spot this year. James Madison University is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. There were roughly 73 economics students who graduated with this degree at James Madison University in the most recent data year. Economics graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $62,286 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,575 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in economics from James Madison University
University Of Richmond came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best economics schools. Located in the city of University of Richmond, University Of Richmond is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 41 economics degrees were awarded at University Of Richmond in the most recent year. Graduates of the economics program make about $61,027 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete this degree.
See the full economics program report for University Of Richmond
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best economics schools. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University awarded about 137 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Economics graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $56,261 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,500.
See the full economics program report for Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Washington And Lee University came in at #6 for economics this year. Set in the town of Lexington, Washington And Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Washington And Lee University awarded about 33 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their economics degree from Washington And Lee University earn around $71,737 in the first couple years of their career. Washington And Lee University graduates carry a median of $23,399 in student loans.
More information about a degree in economics from Washington And Lee University
George Mason University placed #7 among the best economics schools. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 157 economics degrees were awarded at George Mason University in the most recent year. Graduates of the economics program make about $74,431 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree.
See the full economics program report for George Mason University
Virginia Commonwealth University came in at #8 for economics this year. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public institution. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 economics students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Commonwealth University in the most recent data year. Economics graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $57,000 early in their careers. Virginia Commonwealth University graduates carry a median of $23,813 in student loans.
Get the full economics details for Virginia Commonwealth University
Christopher Newport University came in at #9 for economics this year. Set in the city of Newport News, Christopher Newport University is a mid-sized public institution. About 72% of students finish within six years. Christopher Newport University awarded about 32 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their economics degree from Christopher Newport University earn around $45,309 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,125 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in economics from Christopher Newport University
University Of Mary Washington landed the #10 spot for economics this year. Set in the suburb of Fredericksburg, University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public institution. About 66% of students finish within six years. University Of Mary Washington awarded about 11 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their economics degree from University Of Mary Washington earn around $45,153 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,825.
More information about a degree in economics from University Of Mary Washington
Virginia Military Institute landed the #11 spot for economics this year. Virginia Military Institute is a small public school located in the town of Lexington. Virginia Military Institute graduates 76% of students within six years. Virginia Military Institute awarded about 45 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their economics degree from Virginia Military Institute earn around $46,046 in the first couple years of their career. Virginia Military Institute graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans.
More information about a degree in economics from Virginia Military Institute
Hampden Sydney College came in at #12 for economics this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Hampden-Sydney. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. About 22 economics degrees were awarded at Hampden Sydney College in the most recent year. Graduates of the economics program make about $52,155 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full economics details for Hampden Sydney College
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 12 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.
