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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best General Economics Schools in Virginia

11 Colleges in the United States
537 General Economics Degrees Awarded
$57,669 Avg Early-Career Salary

General Economics 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.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 24 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for general economics students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for General Economics in Virginia

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the general economics degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in General Economics

1

Leading the list is College Of William And Mary, our #1 school for general economics. Set in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 68 general economics students who graduated with this degree at College Of William And Mary in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general economics program make about $65,603 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,678 to complete this degree. See the full general economics program report for College Of William And Mary

2
James Madison University crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best general economics schools. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. About 77 general economics degrees were awarded at James Madison University in the most recent year. General 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 general economics from James Madison University

3

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general economics, landing the #3 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Blacksburg. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 91 general economics students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general economics program make about $56,261 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general economics from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

4

Washington And Lee University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best general economics schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Lexington. Washington And Lee University graduates 94% of students within six years. Washington And Lee University awarded about 28 general economics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general economics program make about $71,737 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,399 to complete this degree. See the full general economics program report for Washington And Lee University

5

George Mason University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general economics, ranking #5. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 155 general economics degrees were awarded at George Mason University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general economics degree from George Mason University earn around $74,431 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree. See the full general economics program report for George Mason University

6

Christopher Newport University placed #6 among the best general economics schools. Christopher Newport University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Newport News. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. There were roughly 39 general economics students who graduated with this degree at Christopher Newport University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general economics degree from Christopher Newport University earn around $45,309 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,125. Get the full general economics details for Christopher Newport University

7

Virginia Military Institute ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best general economics schools. This small public university is located in the town of Lexington. About 76% of students finish within six years. About 46 general economics degrees were awarded at Virginia Military Institute in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Virginia Military Institute generally make around $46,046. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250. Read more about the general economics program at Virginia Military Institute

8
Hampden Sydney College crest
Hampden Sydney College
Hampden-Sydney, VA

Hampden Sydney College landed the #8 spot for general economics this year. Located in the rural area of Hampden-Sydney, Hampden Sydney College is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. About 23 general economics degrees were awarded at Hampden Sydney College in the most recent year. Graduates of the general economics program make about $52,155 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in general economics from Hampden Sydney College

9
Radford University crest
Radford University
Radford, VA

Radford University placed #9 among the best general economics schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Radford. Radford University graduates 49% of students within six years. Radford University awarded about 10 general economics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Radford University generally make around $45,189. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. More information about a degree in general economics from Radford University

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 24 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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