Compare 14 Economics. programs in Virginia. Average earnings: $73,770.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Economics tells a different story. Across 14 programs in Virginia, earnings range from $52,587 to $110,050—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
Washington And Lee University's Economics program leads with graduates earning $110,050, compared to the state average of $73,770. But the story extends beyond prestige—James Madison University, with a 76% acceptance rate, produces graduates earning $86,390, demonstrating that accessible programs can deliver strong outcomes.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Washington And Lee graduates borrow $19,500 and face just a 3.1% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their post-grad income.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $110,050 | 56 | $19,500 | Excellent | $38,000 | Good | |
| #2 | University Of RichmondPrivate | $102,501 | 42 | $21,000 | Excellent | $30,512 | Good |
| #3 | James Madison UniversityPublic | $86,390 | 61 | $20,093 | Excellent | $37,285 | Manageable |
| #4 | George Mason UniversityPublic | $80,423 | 132 | $19,500 | Excellent | $25,142 | Good |
| #5 | $80,369 | 511 | $17,500 | Excellent | $28,903 | Manageable | |
| #6 | $75,051 | 116 | $21,500 | Excellent | $35,325 | Manageable | |
| #7 | William & MaryPublic | $72,419 | 142 | $18,500 | Excellent | $30,326 | Manageable |
| #8 | $70,038 | 50 | $22,996 | Excellent | $36,278 | Challenging | |
| #9 | $64,914 | 12 | $20,500 | Excellent | $26,240 | Manageable | |
| #10 | Liberty UniversityPrivate | $62,824 | 26 | $24,500 | Good | $16,398 | Manageable |
| #11 | Hampden-Sydney CollegePrivate | $60,208 | 23 | $26,000 | Good | $61,239 | High |
| #12 | $58,444 | 35 | $25,000 | Good | $44,122 | High | |
| #13 | Randolph-Macon CollegePrivate | $56,557 | 14 | $27,000 | Good | $46,254 | High |
| #14 | Radford UniversityPublic | $52,587 | 20 | $24,000 | Good | $22,158 | Challenging |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
