Best English Colleges in Virginia (2026)
Updated
This page ranks the 23 English programs in Virginia by median earnings of English graduates four years after completing. University of Richmond ranks 1st with median earnings of $70,444 after completing.
Across the listed schools, the median figure is $45,844, and the range stretches from $70,444 to $28,598. For 5 of the 23 listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one.
The list splits almost evenly between 12 public and 11 private nonprofit institutions. Radford University posts the lowest average net price at $14,578, while University of Virginia-Main Campus reports the highest six-year completion rate at 96%.
George Mason University ranks 33rd on Azimuth's composite ranking among the 1,467 public and private nonprofit four-year institutions Azimuth ranks nationally.
The ranked list
| Rank | School | Median English Earnings | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Richmond · University Of Richmond, VA | $70,444 | $31,309 | $12,808 | 22.2% |
| University of Richmond reports $70,444 in median earnings for its English graduates four years after completing, the highest on this list, alongside an admission rate of 22%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies (23 graduates), English Language and Literature, General (20 graduates) | |||||
| 2 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University · Blacksburg, VA | $64,225 | $24,953 | $11,689 | 54.8% |
| A public university in Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University posts a six-year completion rate of 86% and median earnings of $64,225 for its English graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: English Language and Literature, General (86 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: English Language and Literature, General ($64,225) | |||||
| 3 | William & Mary · Williamsburg, VA | $57,616 | $19,096 | $3,106 | 34.1% |
| William & Mary carries an average net price of $3,106 for families earning under $30,000, and its English graduates earn a median of $57,616 four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: English Language and Literature, General (73 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: English Language and Literature, General ($57,616) | |||||
| 4 | James Madison University · Harrisonburg, VA | $57,338 | $23,322 | $11,444 | 71.5% |
| Ranking 4th on this list, James Madison University admits 72% of applicants and shows median earnings of $57,338 for its English graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: English Language and Literature, General (49 graduates), Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies (46 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: English Language and Literature, General ($57,487) | |||||
| 5 | George Mason University · Fairfax, VA | $57,115 | $17,915 | $11,942 | 87.5% |
| George Mason University ranks 33rd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports median earnings of $57,115 for its English graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: English Language and Literature, General (106 graduates), Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies (21 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies ($62,383), English Language and Literature, General ($56,071) | |||||
| 6 | University of Virginia-Main Campus · Charlottesville, VA | $55,412 | $21,565 | $8,174 | 16.8% |
| With a six-year completion rate of 96%, University of Virginia-Main Campus also posts median earnings of $55,412 for its English graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: English Language and Literature, General (172 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: English Language and Literature, General ($55,412) | |||||
| 7 | Christopher Newport University · Newport News, VA | $55,379 | $23,015 | $12,461 | 86.0% |
| Christopher Newport University reports an average net price of $23,015 and median earnings of $55,379 for its English graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: English Language and Literature, General (36 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: English Language and Literature, General ($55,379) | |||||
| 8 | Old Dominion University · Norfolk, VA | $53,375 | $14,638 | $9,739 | 90.4% |
| Graduates of the English program at Old Dominion University earn a median of $53,375 four years after completing, and the school admits 90% of applicants. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies (210 graduates), English Language and Literature, General (49 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies ($54,390), English Language and Literature, General ($49,024) | |||||
| 9 | Longwood University · Farmville, VA | $51,485 | $19,066 | $11,896 | 90.2% |
| Longwood University ranks 1221st on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, and its English graduates earn a median of $51,485 four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: English Language and Literature, General (24 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: English Language and Literature, General ($51,485) | |||||
| 10 | Randolph-Macon College · Ashland, VA | $47,804 | $27,866 | $16,601 | 86.6% |
| A private nonprofit college in Ashland, Randolph-Macon College reports a six-year completion rate of 70% and median earnings of $47,804 for its English graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: English Language and Literature, General (8 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: English Language and Literature, General ($47,804) | |||||
| 11 | Virginia Military Institute · Lexington, VA | $46,087 | $17,113 | $12,697 | 71.3% |
| Virginia Military Institute reports median earnings of $46,087 for its English graduates two years after completing, and an average net price of $12,697 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: English Language and Literature, General (22 graduates) | |||||
| 12 | Virginia Commonwealth University · Richmond, VA | $45,844 | $23,433 | $17,512 | 92.6% |
| Ranking 12th on this list, Virginia Commonwealth University posts a six-year completion rate of 63% and median earnings of $45,844 for its English graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: English Language and Literature, General (116 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: English Language and Literature, General ($45,844) | |||||
| 13 | University of Mary Washington · Fredericksburg, VA | $45,824 | $20,667 | $10,304 | 79.8% |
| University of Mary Washington reports median earnings of $45,824 for its English graduates four years after completing, and its six-year completion rate is 66%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: English Language and Literature, General (66 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: English Language and Literature, General ($45,824) | |||||
| 14 | Roanoke College · Salem, VA | $43,974 | $24,503 | $15,204 | 83.1% |
| With an admission rate of 83%, Roanoke College posts median earnings of $43,974 for English graduates four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: English Language and Literature, General (8 graduates), Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies (7 graduates) | |||||
| 15 | Liberty University · Lynchburg, VA | $42,576 | $29,357 | $30,667 | 99.0% |
| Liberty University ranks 79th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, and its English graduates earn a median of $42,576 four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies (105 graduates), English Language and Literature, General (19 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: English Language and Literature, General ($42,576) | |||||
| 16 | Marymount University · Arlington, VA | $42,235 | $29,137 | $27,413 | 93.2% |
| Marymount University reports median earnings of $42,235 for its English graduates two years after completing, alongside an average net price of $29,137. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: English Language and Literature, General (7 graduates) | |||||
| 17 | Regent University · Virginia Beach, VA | $40,012 | $19,923 | $20,064 | 38.1% |
| Regent University admits 38% of applicants and its English graduates earn a median of $40,012 four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: English Language and Literature, General (41 graduates) | |||||
| 18 | Bridgewater College · Bridgewater, VA | $39,369 | $17,800 | $13,283 | 91.7% |
| Bridgewater College shows a six-year completion rate of 53% and median earnings of $39,369 for English graduates two years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: English Language and Literature, General (6 graduates) | |||||
| 19 | Radford University · Radford, VA | $39,085 | $14,578 | $8,965 | 89.5% |
| Radford University carries an average net price of $14,578, and its English graduates earn a median of $39,085 four years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: English Language and Literature, General (21 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: English Language and Literature, General ($39,085) | |||||
| 20 | Hollins University · Roanoke, VA | $38,172 | $20,896 | $17,511 | 68.0% |
| Hollins University reports median earnings of $38,172 for its English graduates four years after completing, and its admission rate is 68%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: English Language and Literature, General (19 graduates), Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies (16 graduates) Highest four-year median earnings by program: English Language and Literature, General ($38,172) | |||||
| 21 | Washington and Lee University · Lexington, VA | $37,593 | $23,781 | -$1,777* | 14.0% |
| Washington and Lee University admits 14% of applicants and reports median earnings of $37,593 for English graduates two years after completing. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: English Language and Literature, General (26 graduates) | |||||
| 22 | Southern Virginia University · Buena Vista, VA | $33,115 | $22,213 | $18,957 | 96.4% |
| Southern Virginia University posts median earnings of $33,115 for English graduates four years after completing, and its six-year completion rate is 33%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: English Language and Literature, General (18 graduates) | |||||
| 23 | Hampton University · Hampton, VA | $28,598 | $25,319 | $32,101 | 62.3% |
| Hampton University reports median earnings of $28,598 for its English graduates two years after completing, alongside an admission rate of 62%. | |||||
Largest programs by graduates in the earnings cohort: English Language and Literature, General (12 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 English graduates four years after completing, or two years for programs that report only a two-year figure, highest first. The figure covers federally aided completers who were working and not enrolled after completing. For 5 of the 23 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 who enrolls, and it is not a measure of teaching quality. The range from University of Richmond at $70,444 to the lowest listed figure of $28,598 spans $41,846, with a $6,219 gap between University of Richmond and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
Related rankings
- Best English Colleges in the United States
- Best Colleges in Virginia
- Best English Colleges in Alabama
- Best English Colleges in New Jersey
- English Colleges in Virginia for Social Mobility