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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Economics Schools in Virginia

13 Colleges in the United States
909 Economics Degrees Awarded
$59,546 Avg Early-Career Salary

Economics programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their economics programs.

College Factual analyzed 28 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best economics schools.

What’s on this page:

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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

1

University Of Virginia Main Campus tops our 2026 ranking of the best economics schools. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates 96% of students within six years. University Of Virginia Main Campus awarded about 280 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the economics program make about $74,958 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,000. See the full economics program report for University Of Virginia Main Campus

2

A rank of #2 makes College Of William And Mary one of the top schools for economics. Located in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. There were roughly 68 economics students who graduated with this degree at College Of William And Mary in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from College Of William And Mary generally make around $65,603. 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

3
James Madison University crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

Students looking for a strong economics program will find one at James Madison University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. About 77 economics degrees were awarded at James Madison University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from James Madison University generally make around $62,286. Typical student debt for the program is $18,575. See the full economics program report for James Madison University

4
University Of Richmond crest
University Of Richmond
University of Richmond, VA

Students looking for a strong economics program will find one at University Of Richmond, which ranked #4. Set in the city of University of Richmond, University Of Richmond is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 51 economics degrees were awarded at University Of Richmond in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from University Of Richmond generally make around $61,027. University Of Richmond graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in economics from University Of Richmond

5

A rank of #5 makes Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University one of the top schools for economics. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 128 economics students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $56,261. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the economics program at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

6

Washington And Lee University earned the #6 position for economics this year. Washington And Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Lexington. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 28 economics students who graduated with this degree at Washington And Lee University in the most recent data year. Economics graduates of Washington And Lee University earn a median of $71,737 early in their careers. Washington And Lee University graduates carry a median of $23,399 in student loans. Read more about the economics program at Washington And Lee University

7

George Mason University came in at #7 for economics this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fairfax. About 68% of students finish within six years. George Mason University awarded about 157 economics degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $74,431. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500. More information about a degree in economics from George Mason University

8

Christopher Newport University earned the #8 position for economics this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Newport News. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 39 economics students who graduated with this degree at Christopher Newport University 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. Christopher Newport University graduates carry a median of $23,125 in student loans. Read more about the economics program at Christopher Newport University

9

Virginia Military Institute ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best economics schools. Located in the town of Lexington, Virginia Military Institute is a small public university. About 76% of students finish within six years. About 46 economics degrees were awarded at Virginia Military Institute in the most recent year. Economics graduates of Virginia Military Institute earn a median of $46,046 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in economics from Virginia Military Institute

10
Hampden Sydney College crest
Hampden Sydney College
Hampden-Sydney, VA

Hampden Sydney College landed the #10 spot for 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%. There were roughly 25 economics students who graduated with this degree at Hampden Sydney College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the economics program make about $52,155 in their early career. Hampden Sydney College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full economics details for Hampden Sydney College

11
Radford University crest
Radford University
Radford, VA

Radford University came in at #11 for economics this year. Radford University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Radford. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 economics degrees were awarded at Radford University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Radford University generally make around $45,189. Radford University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in economics from Radford University

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 28 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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