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# Best Business Colleges in Virginia (2026)

Updated October 1, 2026

Programs in this field[Accounting](/rankings/best-accounting-colleges-in-virginia/)

This page ranks 35 schools in Virginia that offer Business by median earnings of Business graduates four years after completing. [University of Virginia-Main Campus](/school/university-of-virginia-main-campus/majors/) leads at $139,095, followed by [Washington and Lee University](/school/washington-and-lee-university/majors/) at $120,921 and [William & Mary](/school/william-mary/majors/) at $111,366.

Across the 25 schools with a reported completion median, median earnings range from $139,095 to $44,189, with a median of $69,323.

The list includes 12 public and 23 private nonprofit institutions. George Mason University ranks 33rd on Azimuth's composite ranking among the 1,467 public and private nonprofit four-year institutions Azimuth ranks nationally.

Mary Baldwin University posts the lowest average net price at $12,756, and Eastern Mennonite University admits 100% of applicants.

## The ranked list

35 schools in list order

| Rank | School | Median Business Earnings | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | University of Virginia-Main Campus · Charlottesville, VA | $139,095 | $21,565 | $8,174 | 16.8% |
|  | [University of Virginia-Main Campus](/school/university-of-virginia-main-campus/majors/) reports [$139,095 in median earnings](/school/university-of-virginia-main-campus/outcomes/) of Business graduates four years after completing, the highest figure on this list, and a six-year completion rate of 96%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (368 graduates) |
| 2 | Washington and Lee University · Lexington, VA | $120,921 | $23,781 | \-$1,777\* | 14.0% |
|  | With an [admission rate of 14%](/school/washington-and-lee-university/admissions/), [Washington and Lee University](/school/washington-and-lee-university/majors/) is the most selective school on the page and posts median earnings of $120,921 for its Business graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business Administration, Management and Operations (94 graduates), Accounting and Related Services (37 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations ($121,699), Accounting and Related Services ($118,946) |
| 3 | William & Mary · Williamsburg, VA | $111,366 | $19,096 | $3,106 | 34.1% |
|  | [William & Mary](/school/william-mary/majors/) carries an [average net price of $3,106](/school/william-mary/cost/) for families earning under $30,000 and ranks 3rd on this list with earnings of $111,366. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business Administration, Management and Operations (239 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations ($111,366) |
| 4 | University of Richmond · University Of Richmond, VA | $101,976 | $31,309 | $12,808 | 22.2% |
|  | A private nonprofit university in University Of Richmond, University of Richmond shows median earnings of $101,976 four years after completing and an average net price of $31,309. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business Administration, Management and Operations (223 graduates), Human Resources Management and Services (80 graduates), Accounting and Related Services (34 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Accounting and Related Services ($112,202), Business Administration, Management and Operations ($103,856), Human Resources Management and Services ($92,389) |
| 5 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University · Blacksburg, VA | $97,421 | $24,953 | $11,689 | 54.8% |
|  | [Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University](/school/virginia-polytechnic-institute-and-state-university/majors/) graduates 86% within six years and its Business alumni earn a [median of $97,421](/school/virginia-polytechnic-institute-and-state-university/outcomes/) four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (444 graduates), Finance and Financial Management Services (294 graduates), Marketing (211 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods ($108,726), Finance and Financial Management Services ($102,902), Accounting and Related Services ($99,528) |
| 6 | James Madison University · Harrisonburg, VA | $88,362 | $23,322 | $11,444 | 71.5% |
|  | [James Madison University](/school/james-madison-university/majors/) [admits 72% of applicants](/school/james-madison-university/admissions/) and reports an average net price of $11,444 for families earning under $30,000. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Marketing (189 graduates), Finance and Financial Management Services (140 graduates), Business Administration, Management and Operations (129 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Finance and Financial Management Services ($104,926), Accounting and Related Services ($98,767), Marketing ($89,944) |
| 7 | George Mason University · Fairfax, VA | $88,077 | $17,915 | $11,942 | 87.5% |
|  | [George Mason University](/school/george-mason-university/majors/) [ranks 33rd on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/george-mason-university/) among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports median earnings of $88,077 for its Business graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (371 graduates), Business/Commerce, General (245 graduates), Accounting and Related Services (182 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods ($97,049), Accounting and Related Services ($91,132), Finance and Financial Management Services ($88,080) |
| 8 | Hampden-Sydney College · Hampden-Sydney, VA | $87,835 | $22,400 | $13,422 | 40.9% |
|  | Hampden-Sydney College posts a six-year completion rate of 62% and median earnings of $87,835 for its Business graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business/Managerial Economics (50 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Business/Managerial Economics ($87,835) |
| 9 | Christopher Newport University · Newport News, VA | $81,840 | $23,015 | $12,461 | 86.0% |
|  | With an admission rate of 86%, Christopher Newport University reports median earnings of $81,840 and an average net price of $23,015. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business Administration, Management and Operations (194 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations ($81,840) |
| 10 | Marymount University · Arlington, VA | $76,918 | $29,137 | $27,413 | 93.2% |
|  | Marymount University carries an average net price of $27,413 for families earning under $30,000 and its Business graduates earn a median of $76,918 four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business Administration, Management and Operations (76 graduates), Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations (12 graduates), Accounting and Related Services (5 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations ($80,196), Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations ($56,160) |
| 11 | Longwood University · Farmville, VA | $72,565 | $19,066 | $11,896 | 90.2% |
|  | Longwood University shows a six-year completion rate of 61% and median earnings of $72,565 for its Business alumni. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business Administration, Management and Operations (144 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations ($72,565) |
| 12 | University of Mary Washington · Fredericksburg, VA | $72,382 | $20,667 | $10,304 | 79.8% |
|  | University of Mary Washington admits 80% of applicants and reports an average net price of $10,304 for families earning under $30,000. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business Administration, Management and Operations (126 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations ($72,382) |
| 13 | Emory & Henry University · Emory, VA | $71,531 | $19,061 | $14,246 | 83.7% |
|  | Emory & Henry University reports median earnings of $71,531 for its Business graduates four years after completing, and its six-year completion rate sits at 56%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business Administration, Management and Operations (22 graduates), Accounting and Related Services (14 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations ($71,531) |
| 14 | Hampton University · Hampton, VA | $70,810 | $25,319 | $32,101 | 62.3% |
|  | Hampton University, a private nonprofit university in Hampton, admits 62% of applicants and shows an average net price of $25,319. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business Administration, Management and Operations (73 graduates), Marketing (28 graduates), Finance and Financial Management Services (11 graduates) |
| 15 | Roanoke College · Salem, VA | $69,323 | $24,503 | $15,204 | 83.1% |
|  | With an admission rate of 83%, Roanoke College posts median earnings of $69,323 for its Business graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business Administration, Management and Operations (75 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations ($69,323) |
| 16 | Randolph-Macon College · Ashland, VA | $68,476 | $27,866 | $16,601 | 86.6% |
|  | Randolph-Macon College graduates 70% of its students within six years and carries an average net price of $27,866. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business/Commerce, General (63 graduates), Accounting and Related Services (10 graduates) |
| 17 | Radford University · Radford, VA | $68,000 | $14,578 | $8,965 | 89.5% |
|  | [Radford University](/school/radford-university/majors/) ranks 17th on this list, with a [six-year completion rate of 49%](/school/radford-university/outcomes/) and an average net price of $8,965 for families earning under $30,000. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business Administration, Management and Operations (109 graduates), Marketing (69 graduates), Finance and Financial Management Services (29 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Accounting and Related Services ($78,780), Finance and Financial Management Services ($72,364), Business Administration, Management and Operations ($67,246) |
| 18 | Liberty University · Lynchburg, VA | $67,586 | $29,357 | $30,667 | 99.0% |
|  | [Liberty University](/school/liberty-university/majors/) reports [median earnings of $67,586](/school/liberty-university/outcomes/) for its Business graduates four years after completing, alongside an admission rate of 99%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business Administration, Management and Operations (1,603 graduates), Accounting and Related Services (200 graduates), Management Information Systems and Services (82 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Management Information Systems and Services ($84,228), Business Administration, Management and Operations ($67,269), Accounting and Related Services ($63,307) |
| 19 | Virginia Commonwealth University · Richmond, VA | $67,320 | $23,433 | $17,512 | 92.6% |
|  | [Virginia Commonwealth University](/school/virginia-commonwealth-university/majors/) [admits 93% of applicants](/school/virginia-commonwealth-university/admissions/) and shows a six-year completion rate of 63%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business/Commerce, General (239 graduates), Marketing (122 graduates), Finance and Financial Management Services (79 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Accounting and Related Services ($78,631), Marketing ($68,622), Business/Commerce, General ($68,387) |
| 20 | Old Dominion University · Norfolk, VA | $67,062 | $14,638 | $9,739 | 90.4% |
|  | [Old Dominion University](/school/old-dominion-university/majors/) posts [median earnings of $67,062](/school/old-dominion-university/outcomes/) for its Business graduates four years after completing, and its average net price is $14,638. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business Administration, Management and Operations (147 graduates), Management Information Systems and Services (107 graduates), Marketing (83 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Management Information Systems and Services ($74,465), Accounting and Related Services ($73,157), Finance and Financial Management Services ($67,320) |
| 21 | Shenandoah University · Winchester, VA | $66,673 | $30,298 | $24,356 | 77.0% |
|  | Shenandoah University ranks 21st on this list, with an average net price of $24,356 for families earning under $30,000 and a six-year completion rate of 67%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business Administration, Management and Operations (59 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations ($66,673) |
| 22 | Averett University · Danville, VA | $64,676 | $22,925 | $23,064 | 56.6% |
|  | Averett University admits 57% of applicants and carries an average net price of $22,925. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business Administration, Management and Operations (41 graduates), Marketing (15 graduates), Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (12 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations ($72,810) |
| 23 | University of Lynchburg · Lynchburg, VA | $63,736 | $22,235 | $20,692 | 43.0% |
|  | University of Lynchburg reports median earnings of $63,736 for its Business graduates four years after completing, alongside an admission rate of 43%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business Administration, Management and Operations (28 graduates), Accounting and Related Services (13 graduates), Marketing (6 graduates) |
| 24 | Bluefield University · Bluefield, VA | $63,715 | $25,573 | $25,807 | 59.3% |
|  | Bluefield University shows a six-year completion rate of 18% and an average net price of $25,807 for families earning under $30,000. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business Administration, Management and Operations (42 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations ($63,715) |
| 25 | Virginia Wesleyan University · Virginia Beach, VA | $63,159 | $19,676 | $14,080 | 72.9% |
|  | Virginia Wesleyan University reports median earnings of $63,159 for its Business graduates four years after completing and an admission rate of 73%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business Administration, Management and Operations (38 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations ($63,159) |
| 26 | Eastern Mennonite University · Harrisonburg, VA | $60,136 | $24,588 | $22,994 | 100.0% |
|  | Eastern Mennonite University admits 100% of applicants and shows a six-year completion rate of 67%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Human Resources Management and Services (26 graduates), Business Administration, Management and Operations (13 graduates), Marketing (7 graduates) |
| 27 | Ferrum College · Ferrum, VA | $60,070 | $20,082 | $16,940 | 89.0% |
|  | With an average net price of $20,082, Ferrum College posts median earnings of $60,070 for Business graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Accounting and Related Services (8 graduates), Finance and Financial Management Services (6 graduates) |
| 28 | Bridgewater College · Bridgewater, VA | $59,846 | $17,800 | $13,283 | 91.7% |
|  | Bridgewater College reports an average net price of $17,800 and a six-year completion rate of 53%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business Administration, Management and Operations (60 graduates), Management Information Systems and Services (5 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations ($61,276) |
| 29 | Regent University · Virginia Beach, VA | $59,144 | $19,923 | $20,064 | 38.1% |
|  | Regent University ranks 666th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and carries an average net price of $19,923. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business Administration, Management and Operations (57 graduates), Human Resources Management and Services (19 graduates), Accounting and Related Services (10 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Human Resources Management and Services ($61,752), Business Administration, Management and Operations ($59,087) |
| 30 | Mary Baldwin University · Staunton, VA | $58,459 | $12,756 | $12,717 | Not reported |
|  | Mary Baldwin University lists the lowest average net price on the page at $12,756, alongside median earnings of $58,459 for its Business graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business Administration, Management and Operations (53 graduates), Marketing (8 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations ($58,459) |
| 31 | Virginia State University · Petersburg, VA | $56,815 | $15,840 | $13,220 | 88.6% |
|  | A public university in Petersburg, [Virginia State University](/school/virginia-state-university/majors/) reports [median earnings of $56,815](/school/virginia-state-university/outcomes/) for Business graduates four years after completing and an admission rate of 89%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business Administration, Management and Operations (52 graduates), Marketing (23 graduates), Management Information Systems and Services (16 graduates) |
| 32 | Southern Virginia University · Buena Vista, VA | $56,726 | $22,213 | $18,957 | 96.4% |
|  | Southern Virginia University graduates 33% of its students within six years and reports median earnings of $56,726 for its Business graduates four years after completing. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business/Commerce, General (42 graduates) |
| 33 | Sweet Briar College · Sweet Briar, VA | $44,189 | $17,758 | $11,734 | 75.5% |
|  | Sweet Briar College reports median earnings of $44,189 for Business graduates two years after completing and an average net price of $17,758. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business/Commerce, General (7 graduates) |
| 34 | Virginia Union University · Richmond, VA | $44,088 | $13,235 | $11,424 | 98.0% |
|  | Virginia Union University admits 98% of applicants and reports an average net price of $13,235. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business Administration, Management and Operations (12 graduates), Accounting and Related Services (6 graduates), General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations (6 graduates) |
| 35 | Randolph College · Lynchburg, VA | $35,971 | $15,921 | $13,048 | 93.7% |
|  | Randolph College ranks 1144th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and shows a six-year completion rate of 46%. |
|  | Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Business/Commerce, General (6 graduates) |

\* Net price can be negative: when grants and scholarships exceed the listed cost of attendance, students can receive the difference as a refund for other expenses.

## How this list is ordered

Schools are ordered by the median earnings of their Business graduates four years after completing, or two years for programs that report only a two-year figure, highest first. The figure captures federally aided completers who were working and not enrolled after completing. For 1 of the 35 listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one. The metric does not adjust for graduate school enrollment, cost, or the characteristics of who enrolls, and it is not a measure of teaching quality. The figures cited on this page cover the 25 schools with a reported completion median. The gap from first to second is $18,174, with University of Virginia-Main Campus at $139,095 and Washington and Lee University at $120,921.

## Related rankings

-   [Best Colleges in Virginia](/rankings/best-colleges-in-virginia/)
-   [Best Business Colleges in Florida by Earnings](/rankings/best-business-colleges-in-florida/)
-   [Best Business Colleges in Massachusetts](/rankings/best-business-colleges-in-massachusetts/)
-   [Best Business Colleges in Indiana](/rankings/best-business-colleges-in-indiana/)
-   [Best Business Colleges in Illinois](/rankings/best-business-colleges-in-illinois/)
-   Accounting Colleges in Virginia for Social Mobility