Compare 7 Public Finance. programs in Virginia. Average earnings: $73,622.
The highest-earning Public Finance program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $37K earnings gap across 7 programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand.
James Madison University's Public Finance program leads with graduates earning $94,451, well above the $73,622 average across Virginia programs. Virginia Tech follows at $85,837, while George Mason reaches $83,906—demonstrating that program excellence exists across multiple institutions, not just the most selective ones.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. James Madison graduates borrow $20,093 and face just a 3.8% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. For families considering parent loans, George Mason leads with a 10.8% family burden, proving the best choice depends on who's paying.
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | James Madison UniversityPublic | $94,451 | 163 | $20,093 | Excellent | $37,285 | Manageable |
| #2 | $85,837 | 291 | $21,500 | Excellent | $35,325 | Manageable | |
| #3 | George Mason UniversityPublic | $83,906 | 192 | $19,500 | Excellent | $25,142 | Good |
| #4 | Radford UniversityPublic | $78,478 | 58 | $24,000 | Excellent | $22,158 | Manageable |
| #5 | Old Dominion UniversityPublic | $58,030 | 118 | $24,000 | Good | $18,866 | Manageable |
| #6 | Liberty UniversityPrivate | $57,333 | 77 | $24,500 | Good | $16,398 | Manageable |
| #7 | $57,318 | 7 | $21,500 | Good | $23,585 | 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 →
