2023 best colleges in Virginia

With close proximity to Washington, D.C., students interested in government and political science internships will find a range of opportunities. The University of Virginia, the state’s flagship institution, is a pioneer in hypersonic flight research and home to the Academical Village, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The College of William & Mary, founded in 1693, is the second-oldest higher education institution nationwide, second only to Harvard University. Another historic site, the Virginia Military Institute was founded as the first public senior military college in the United States.

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#1 in Virginia | #45 in Sociology nationally

University of Virginia

Charlottesville, Virginia

Economic score: 3.31

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

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Net cost: $22,006

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Payback: 4.1 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $46,900

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

EarningsPlus: + $9,326

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 21%
Graduation rate: 95%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#2 in Virginia | #62 in Sociology nationally

William & Mary

Williamsburg, Virginia

Economic score: 3.71

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

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Net cost: $19,593

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Payback: 4.3 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $43,653

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

EarningsPlus: + $6,077

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 37%
Graduation rate: 91%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#3 in Virginia | #65 in Sociology nationally
Economic score: 3.79

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

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Net cost: $21,301

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Payback: 4.6 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $45,625

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

EarningsPlus: + $8,063

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 56%
Graduation rate: 87%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#4 in Virginia | #134 in Sociology nationally

George Mason University

Fairfax, Virginia

Economic score: 5.28

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

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Net cost: $19,551

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Payback: 5.7 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $40,388

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

EarningsPlus: + $2,842

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 91%
Graduation rate: 76%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#5 in Virginia | #143 in Sociology nationally

University of Mary Washington

Fredericksburg, Virginia

Economic score: 5.45

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

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Net cost: $23,193

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Payback: 6 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $41,495

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

EarningsPlus: + $3,967

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 82%
Graduation rate: 70%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#6 in Virginia | #188 in Sociology nationally

Old Dominion University

Norfolk, Virginia

Economic score: 6.31

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

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Net cost: $17,204

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Payback: 6.8 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $37,098

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

EarningsPlus: + $2,544

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 96%
Graduation rate: 59%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#7 in Virginia | #196 in Sociology nationally
Economic score: 6.52

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

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Net cost: $20,490

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Payback: 6.8 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $38,887

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

EarningsPlus: + $1,362

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 93%
Graduation rate: 69%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#8 in Virginia | #198 in Sociology nationally

James Madison University

Harrisonburg, Virginia

Economic score: 6.56

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

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Net cost: $22,562

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Payback: 6.9 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $39,294

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

EarningsPlus: + $1,735

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 86%
Graduation rate: 85%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#9 in Virginia | #204 in Sociology nationally

Christopher Newport University

Newport News, Virginia

Economic score: 6.60

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

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Net cost: $25,855

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Payback: 7.1 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $40,447

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

EarningsPlus: + $2,929

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 89%
Graduation rate: 78%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#10 in Virginia | #257 in Sociology nationally

Longwood University

Farmville, Virginia

Economic score: 8.74

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

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Net cost: $19,545

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Payback: 8.3 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $35,522

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

EarningsPlus: - $1,991

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 90%
Graduation rate: 68%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#11 in Virginia | #289 in Sociology nationally

Bridgewater College

Bridgewater, Virginia

Economic score: 10.83

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

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Net cost: $20,457

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Payback: 9.7 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $33,797

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

EarningsPlus: - $3,765

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 75%
Graduation rate: 61%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#12 in Virginia | #290 in Sociology nationally

Randolph, Macon College

Ashland, Virginia

Economic score: 10.94

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

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Net cost: $25,551

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Payback: 10.3 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $35,289

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

EarningsPlus: - $2,266

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 84%
Graduation rate: 68%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#13 in Virginia | #340 in Sociology nationally

Emory & Henry College

Emory, Virginia

Economic score: 19.35

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

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Net cost: $17,245

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Payback: 15.3 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $29,685

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

EarningsPlus: - $7,899

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 87%
Graduation rate: 58%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#14 in Virginia | #378 in Sociology nationally

Radford University

Radford, Virginia

Economic score: 76.08

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

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Net cost: $16,505

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Payback: 53.4 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $26,353

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

EarningsPlus: - $11,172

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 95%
Graduation rate: 61%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#15 in Virginia | #383 in Sociology nationally

Roanoke College

Salem, Virginia

Economic score: 208.60

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

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Net cost: $26,997

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Payback: 142.3 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $25,658

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

EarningsPlus: - $11,951

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 80%
Graduation rate: 69%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

Explore more schools without data

University of Richmond

University of Richmond, Virginia

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How long does it take me to repay a bachelor's degree in sociology in Virginia?

Years

8.6 years

The cost of the average bachelor's degree in sociology in Virginia is covered by the new earnings of graduates in 8.6 years.

How much do graduates with bachelor's degree in sociology earn in Virginia?

Salary

$37,505

The median bachelor's degree in sociology graduate earns $37,505 3 years after graduating.

How much does a bachelor's degree in sociology cost in Virginia?

Net cost

$21,046

The average annual cost of a bachelor's degree in sociology is $21,046. This is the net cost and considers only students that have received Title IV funds.