by our College Data Analytics TeamUniversity Of Virginia Main Campus ranks #1 of 54 colleges in College Factual’s 2027 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges in Virginia ranking, which scores schools on more than 20 measures of academic quality and student outcomes. The top 25 colleges average a 69% six-year graduation rate and $70,354 in median earnings five years after graduation.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
With all of the college options in Virginia, it can be hard to know where to start. This list ranks **54** institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2027 methodology.
To help you make your decision, College Factual evaluated 54 colleges across over 20 objective factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, and per-student spending, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). Learn more about our ranking methodology.
University Of Virginia Main Campus leads the 54 ranked colleges in Virginia, followed by Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University (#2) and James Madison University (#3). Here are the top-ranked colleges:
Leading the list is University Of Virginia Main Campus, our #1 college in Virginia. Located in Charlottesville, VA, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates 96% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Early-career graduates earn a median of $69,126. Students borrow a median of $18,627 to complete a degree here.
The strong outcomes at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earned it the #2 place in Virginia. Set in Blacksburg, VA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates 86% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $15,948, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates report median early-career earnings of $60,004. The median student debt is $23,393.
The strong outcomes at James Madison University earned it the #3 place in Virginia. Located in Harrisonburg, VA, James Madison University is a public institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $13,966, while out-of-state students pay about $31,312. Early-career graduates earn a median of $52,997. Students borrow a median of $21,218 to complete a degree here.
You'll be in good company at College Of William And Mary, which ranked #4 this year. College Of William And Mary is a public school based in Williamsburg, VA. College Of William And Mary graduates 89% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $25,734, with out-of-state students paying around $51,038. College Of William And Mary graduates report median early-career earnings of $53,338. College Of William And Mary students take on a median of $18,935 in debt.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Richmond one of the top colleges in Virginia. University Of Richmond is a private not-for-profit school based in University of Richmond, VA. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,230. University Of Richmond graduates report median early-career earnings of $53,815. Typical student debt is $21,634.
Washington And Lee University placed #6 among the best colleges in Virginia. Based in Lexington, VA, Washington And Lee University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Students from in state pay about $68,045 in tuition and fees. Median early-career earnings reach $76,810. Typical student debt is $20,074.
George Mason University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Based in Fairfax, VA, George Mason University is a public institution. George Mason University graduates 68% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,220, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Early-career graduates earn a median of $63,131. George Mason University students take on a median of $23,529 in debt.
Christopher Newport University placed #8 among the best colleges in Virginia. Based in Newport News, VA, Christopher Newport University is a public institution. About 72% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $16,828 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,178 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $41,656. Typical student debt is $25,094.
University Of Mary Washington landed the #9 spot in Virginia this year. Based in Fredericksburg, VA, University Of Mary Washington is a public institution. University Of Mary Washington posts a six-year graduation rate of 66%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,905, compared with $28,083 for out-of-state students. University Of Mary Washington graduates report median early-career earnings of $43,243. Students borrow a median of $22,825 to complete a degree here.
Virginia Commonwealth University landed the #10 spot in Virginia this year. Based in Richmond, VA, Virginia Commonwealth University is a public institution. Virginia Commonwealth University graduates 63% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $16,720 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $39,884. Median early-career earnings reach $57,000. The median student debt is $23,813.
Marymount University did well this year, earning the #11 position. Based in Arlington, VA, Marymount University is a private not-for-profit institution. Marymount University posts a six-year graduation rate of 54%. In-state tuition and fees run about $40,120. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $58,028. Marymount University students take on a median of $26,880 in debt.
Virginia Military Institute ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Located in Lexington, VA, Virginia Military Institute is a public institution. Virginia Military Institute posts a six-year graduation rate of 76%. In-state tuition and fees run about $21,046, with out-of-state students paying around $52,638. Virginia Military Institute graduates report median early-career earnings of $47,915. Virginia Military Institute students take on a median of $22,309 in debt.
Randolph Macon College did well this year, earning the #13 position. Based in Ashland, VA, Randolph Macon College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. Students from in state pay about $49,466 in tuition and fees. Early-career graduates earn a median of $40,317. Randolph Macon College students take on a median of $26,432 in debt.
Roanoke College came in at #14 in this year's ranking. Roanoke College is a private not-for-profit school based in Salem, VA. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,068. Graduates go on to earn a median of $33,725 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $26,940 in student loans.
Hampden Sydney College landed the #15 spot in Virginia this year. Set in Hampden-Sydney, VA, Hampden Sydney College is a private not-for-profit institution. Hampden Sydney College posts a six-year graduation rate of 62%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $54,550. Early-career graduates earn a median of $45,238. The median student debt is $26,494.
Shenandoah University placed #16 among the best colleges in Virginia. Based in Winchester, VA, Shenandoah University is a private not-for-profit institution. Shenandoah University posts a six-year graduation rate of 66%. In-state tuition and fees run about $36,950. Shenandoah University graduates report median early-career earnings of $62,948. Students borrow a median of $26,005 to complete a degree here.
Longwood University came in at #17 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Farmville, VA. About 61% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $15,740, compared with $27,980 for out-of-state students. Longwood University graduates report median early-career earnings of $43,800. Graduates carry a median of $25,649 in student loans.
Radford University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. This public school is set in Radford, VA. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,548, compared with $25,633 for out-of-state students. Radford University graduates report median early-career earnings of $47,271. Students borrow a median of $25,514 to complete a degree here.
Eastern Mennonite University came in at #19 in this year's ranking. Located in Harrisonburg, VA, Eastern Mennonite University is a private not-for-profit institution. Eastern Mennonite University graduates 67% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $43,920 in tuition and fees. Early-career graduates earn a median of $55,325. The median student debt is $25,415.
Old Dominion University landed the #20 spot in Virginia this year. Located in Norfolk, VA, Old Dominion University is a public institution. Old Dominion University posts a six-year graduation rate of 46%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,750, while out-of-state students pay about $33,780. Graduates go on to earn a median of $57,131 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $26,001 in student loans.
Lynchburg College placed #21 among the best colleges in Virginia. This private not-for-profit school is set in Lynchburg, VA. Lynchburg College posts a six-year graduation rate of 57%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,750. Lynchburg College graduates report median early-career earnings of $107,159.
Chamberlain College Of Nursing Virginia ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. This private for-profit school is set in Vienna, VA. About 100% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,520. Graduates go on to earn a median of $83,188 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $39,146 to complete a degree here.
Bridgewater College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. This private not-for-profit school is set in Bridgewater, VA. Bridgewater College posts a six-year graduation rate of 53%. Students from in state pay about $16,090 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,344 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $26,423 in student loans.
Ecpi University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Located in Virginia Beach, VA, Ecpi University is a private for-profit institution. Roughly 28% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,484. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $48,429. Typical student debt is $27,988.
Emory And Henry College did well this year, earning the #25 position. Emory And Henry College is a private not-for-profit school based in Emory, VA. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,000. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,255 early in their careers. Emory And Henry College students take on a median of $26,938 in debt.
These 25 colleges rank #26 through #50 of 54 in Virginia. These colleges rounded out the top of the list:
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Colleges are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and per-student spending drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
References
See our data sources and methodologies.
