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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Engineering Schools in Virginia

11 Colleges in the United States
5,109 Engineering Degrees Awarded
$53,650 Avg Early-Career Salary

Engineering is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 44 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best engineering schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Engineering in Virginia

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall engineering education in Virginia.

Top Schools in Engineering

1

Our analysis ranked University Of Virginia Main Campus the best school in the country for a degree in engineering. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Charlottesville. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. There were roughly 727 engineering students who graduated with this degree at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their engineering degree from University Of Virginia Main Campus earn around $84,977 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,838 to complete this degree. See the full engineering program report for University Of Virginia Main Campus

2

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in engineering, landing the #2 spot this year. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 2,341 engineering students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent data year. Engineering graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $80,465 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,739 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

3
James Madison University crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best engineering schools. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public institution. James Madison University graduates 80% of students within six years. James Madison University awarded about 69 engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from James Madison University generally make around $71,176. James Madison University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Get the full engineering details for James Madison University

4

A rank of #4 makes Randolph Macon College one of the top schools for engineering. Set in the suburb of Ashland, Randolph Macon College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. There were roughly 14 engineering students who graduated with this degree at Randolph Macon College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their engineering degree from Randolph Macon College earn around $40,317 in the first couple years of their career. Randolph Macon College graduates carry a median of $24,706 in student loans. See the full engineering program report for Randolph Macon College

5

Northern Virginia Community College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in engineering, ranking #5. Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Annandale. There were roughly 199 engineering students who graduated with this degree at Northern Virginia Community College in the most recent data year. Engineering graduates of Northern Virginia Community College earn a median of $16,790 early in their careers. Northern Virginia Community College graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. See the full engineering program report for Northern Virginia Community College

6

George Mason University landed the #6 spot for engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. George Mason University awarded about 509 engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the engineering program make about $87,312 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,093 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in engineering from George Mason University

7

Tidewater Community College earned the #7 position for engineering this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a very large public university. There were roughly 70 engineering students who graduated with this degree at Tidewater Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the engineering program make about $68,555 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,250 to complete this degree. See the full engineering program report for Tidewater Community College

8

John Tyler Community College placed #8 among the best engineering schools. John Tyler Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Chester. There were roughly 39 engineering students who graduated with this degree at John Tyler Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the engineering program make about $36,623 in their early career. John Tyler Community College graduates carry a median of $11,262 in student loans. More information about a degree in engineering from John Tyler Community College

9
Sweet Briar College crest
Sweet Briar College
Sweet Briar, VA

Sweet Briar College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best engineering schools. Set in the rural area of Sweet Briar, Sweet Briar College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. There were roughly 11 engineering students who graduated with this degree at Sweet Briar College in the most recent data year. Read more about the engineering program at Sweet Briar College

10
Hampton University crest
Hampton University
Hampton, VA

Hampton University placed #10 among the best engineering schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Hampton. About 57% of students finish within six years. Hampton University awarded about 19 engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the engineering program make about $46,870 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,169. Read more about the engineering program at Hampton University

11

Virginia Western Community College landed the #11 spot for engineering this year. Set in the city of Roanoke, Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 23 engineering students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Western Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Virginia Western Community College generally make around $36,245. Students borrow a median of $13,715 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in engineering from Virginia Western Community College

12

Virginia Commonwealth University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best engineering schools. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 268 engineering degrees were awarded at Virginia Commonwealth University in the most recent year. Students who receive their engineering degree from Virginia Commonwealth University earn around $78,310 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,517. Get the full engineering details for Virginia Commonwealth University

13

J Sargeant Reynolds Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best engineering schools. Set in the suburb of Richmond, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public institution. J Sargeant Reynolds Community College awarded about 20 engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the engineering program make about $36,965 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the engineering program at J Sargeant Reynolds Community College

14

Lord Fairfax Community College earned the #14 position for engineering this year. Set in the rural area of Middletown, Lord Fairfax Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 16 engineering students who graduated with this degree at Lord Fairfax Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the engineering program make about $37,531 in their early career. Lord Fairfax Community College graduates carry a median of $10,698 in student loans. More information about a degree in engineering from Lord Fairfax Community College

15
Ecpi University crest
Ecpi University
Virginia Beach, VA

Ecpi University placed #15 among the best engineering schools. This large private for-profit university is located in the city of Virginia Beach. Ecpi University graduates 28% of students within six years. About 14 engineering degrees were awarded at Ecpi University in the most recent year. Graduates of the engineering program make about $48,429 in their early career. Ecpi University graduates carry a median of $27,988 in student loans. See the full engineering program report for Ecpi University

16

Christopher Newport University earned the #16 position for engineering this year. Located in the city of Newport News, Christopher Newport University is a mid-sized public university. Christopher Newport University graduates 72% of students within six years. About 28 engineering degrees were awarded at Christopher Newport University in the most recent year. Engineering graduates of Christopher Newport University earn a median of $41,656 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,094 to complete this degree. Read more about the engineering program at Christopher Newport University

17

Piedmont Virginia Community College came in at #17 for engineering this year. Piedmont Virginia Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. There were roughly 20 engineering students who graduated with this degree at Piedmont Virginia Community College in the most recent data year. Engineering graduates of Piedmont Virginia Community College earn a median of $46,129 early in their careers. Piedmont Virginia Community College graduates carry a median of $12,495 in student loans. Get the full engineering details for Piedmont Virginia Community College

18

Old Dominion University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best engineering schools. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. Old Dominion University graduates 46% of students within six years. Old Dominion University awarded about 415 engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their engineering degree from Old Dominion University earn around $74,737 in the first couple years of their career. Old Dominion University graduates carry a median of $25,247 in student loans. Get the full engineering details for Old Dominion University

19
Germanna Community College crest
Germanna Community College
Locust Grove, VA

Germanna Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best engineering schools. Located in the rural area of Locust Grove, Germanna Community College is a large public university. About 39 engineering degrees were awarded at Germanna Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the engineering program make about $41,880 in their early career. Germanna Community College graduates carry a median of $10,999 in student loans. More information about a degree in engineering from Germanna Community College

20

Thomas Nelson Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best engineering schools. Thomas Nelson Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Hampton. About 27 engineering degrees were awarded at Thomas Nelson Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their engineering degree from Thomas Nelson Community College earn around $36,758 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,402 to complete this degree. Get the full engineering details for Thomas Nelson Community College

21

Virginia Military Institute earned the #21 position for engineering this year. This small public university is located in the town of Lexington. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. Virginia Military Institute awarded about 84 engineering degrees in the most recent data year. Engineering graduates of Virginia Military Institute earn a median of $61,240 early in their careers. Virginia Military Institute graduates carry a median of $25,837 in student loans. Get the full engineering details for Virginia Military Institute

22
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University landed the #22 spot for engineering this year. Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. About 110 engineering degrees were awarded at Liberty University in the most recent year. Graduates of the engineering program make about $73,730 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,905 to complete this degree. Get the full engineering details for Liberty University

23

Norfolk State University earned the #23 position for engineering this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Norfolk. The six-year graduation rate is 39%. About 32 engineering degrees were awarded at Norfolk State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, engineering degree recipients from Norfolk State University generally make around $54,971. Get the full engineering details for Norfolk State University

24

Southwest Virginia Community College placed #24 among the best engineering schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the rural area of Cedar Bluff. About 15 engineering degrees were awarded at Southwest Virginia Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their engineering degree from Southwest Virginia Community College earn around $32,277 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete this degree. See the full engineering program report for Southwest Virginia Community College

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 44 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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