Outcomes-based program rankings.
Program outcomes at University of Virginia vary significantly by field of study, with technical and professional programs generally delivering the strongest earnings performance. The rankings below evaluate programs based on graduate earnings, debt levels, and return on investment—not academic reputation or prestige.
Use this page to compare how different majors perform in the labor market and assess career outcome potential.
Analyzing 37 programs with available earnings data.
These highlights surface programs that stand out across earnings, national ranking, and enrollment size at UVA.
#7 nationally
$113K median earnings
This bar shows the range of median earnings across all majors at this school.
The tables below compare programs in each category by earnings, rank, debt, and cohort size.
These sections represent the complete set of ranked undergraduate programs at University Of Virginia-Main Campus.
Engineering programs at University of Virginia deliver exceptional outcomes with multiple #1 national rankings. Systems Engineering leads with $113,099 earnings and perfect value scores, while Artificial Intelligence produces $136,620 median earnings among substantial cohorts.
Mechanical Engineering and Bioengineering round out strong technical offerings. These programs consistently rank among the top 10 nationally and represent UVA's strongest career outcome pathway, well-suited for students prioritizing high earnings potential and technical career advancement.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Artificial Intelligence. |
Program rankings reflect labor market outcomes based on Department of Education earnings and debt data, not academic reputation or research quality. Different majors naturally produce different career paths and earnings levels, with some fields emphasizing graduate school preparation while others lead directly to high-paying careers. Technical fields like engineering and computer science typically show higher immediate earnings, while liberal arts programs often require additional education for peak earning potential. Rankings compare programs within their specific field nationally, so a #6 ranking in English Literature reflects performance against all English programs, not against engineering programs. Cohort sizes indicate program popularity and data reliability, with larger cohorts providing more confident outcome estimates. All data reflects outcomes for bachelor's degree recipients and may not capture the full career trajectory for programs that typically require graduate education.
Median earnings 10 years post-enrollment
Debt burden relative to earnings
Institutional contribution to outcomes
recent graduates
| $136,620★ |
| $35,095 |
| 187 |
| Computer Engineering, General. | #5 | $135,287 | — | 58 |
| Systems Engineering. | #1 🏆 | $113,099 | — | 126 |
| Electrical and Electronics Engineering. | #26 | $103,662 | — | 29 |
| Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering. | #9 | $94,301 | — | 89 |
| Chemical Engineering, Other. | #50 | $93,745 | — | 41 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | #79 | $86,778 | — | 94 |
| Civil Engineering, General. | #63 | $84,135 | — | 28 |
| Applied Engineering.Small sample | #14 | $75,774 | — | 10 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering, General. | #48 | $74,576 | — | 36 |
Business and economics programs combine strong earnings with substantial enrollment, led by Applied Economics with 511 graduates earning $80,369. Actuarial Science delivers exceptional outcomes at $93,565 with #6 national ranking among 346 graduates.
These programs balance accessibility through large cohort sizes with competitive career outcomes. Students seeking quantitative business skills and economic analysis find strong pathways here, though earnings trail the engineering programs significantly.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Actuarial Science. | #6 | $93,565 | $57,767 | 346 |
Health programs are represented by Adult Health Nursing, which produces 100 graduates earning $72,437. While ranking #184 nationally, the program provides direct career pathways into healthcare with stable employment prospects.
This program serves students seeking immediate professional employment in high-demand healthcare fields, though it represents a smaller component of UVA's overall academic portfolio compared to other major universities.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult Health Nurse/Nursing. | #188 | $72,437★ | — | 100 |
| Audiology/Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist. | #66 | $54,499 | — | 33 |
Mathematics and sciences show varied outcomes, with Algebra and Number Theory achieving impressive $99,961 earnings among smaller cohorts. Biology serves as a major feeder program with 281 graduates but more modest $51,421 earnings, typical for pre-professional tracks requiring graduate school continuation.
These programs suit students planning advanced study or research careers, with mathematics showing particularly strong direct-employment outcomes while biological sciences emphasize graduate school preparation.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Algebra and Number Theory. | #10 | $99,961★ | — | 114 |
| Analytical Chemistry. | #16 | $61,344 | — | 77 |
| Acoustics. | #49 | $52,289 | — | 32 |
| Biology, General. | #119 | $51,421 | $44,734 | 281 |
Social sciences programs achieve remarkable national recognition, with International Relations ranking #2 nationally and Psychology #4 nationally despite more moderate earnings ranges. American Government and Politics graduates earn $67,976 while Psychology graduates earn $60,347.
These programs excel in academic reputation and graduate school preparation, making them ideal for students prioritizing intellectual engagement and advanced study over immediate earnings maximization.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Applied Economics. | #56 | $80,369★ | — | 511 |
| International Relations and Affairs. | #2 | $78,563 | $27,116 | 270 |
| American Government and Politics (United States). | #50 | $67,976 | — | 112 |
| Psychology, General. | #6 | $60,347 | — | 224 |
| Applied/Public Sociology. | #22 | $56,011 | — | 86 |
| Anthropology, General. | #8 | $55,460 | — | 54 |
Humanities programs at UVA punch above their weight in national rankings, with English Literature ranking #6 nationally despite earnings of $54,107. American History and Foreign Languages also achieve top-20 national recognition with earnings in the $58,000 range.
These programs demonstrate UVA's liberal arts excellence and serve students pursuing careers in education, law, media, and public service where earnings may accelerate through advanced degrees or career progression.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Applied and Professional Ethics. | #4 | $70,122★ | — | 43 |
| Catalan Language and Literature. | #7 | $58,575 | — | 146 |
| American History (United States). | #19 | $58,287 | — | 149 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | #6 | $54,107 | — | 187 |
| Buddhist Studies. | #3 | $50,482 | — | 39 |
| Art History, Criticism and Conservation. | #61 | $44,659 | — | 53 |
| Acting.Small sample | #161 | $18,771 | — | 11 |
Environmental Science. leads agriculture & environment with 47K in median earnings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Environmental Science. | #69 | $47,457 | — | 76 |
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. leads other & interdisciplinary with 61K in median earnings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. | #32 | $61,339★ | — | 40 |
| Architectural Design. | #21 | $60,466 | — | 63 |
| City/Urban, Community, and Regional Planning.Small sample | #11 | $55,338 | — | 11 |
| African-American/Black Studies. | #32 | $46,611 | — | 26 |
| Adult Development and Aging. | #72 | $34,533 | — | 52 |
| Exercise Science and Kinesiology. | #193 | $33,993 | — | 73 |
Resources, cohort size, and graduation rates
Trajectory from early to mid-career
Why rankings may differ by program: A university's nursing program and business program can have entirely different outcome profiles. Our methodology surfaces these differences so you can evaluate programs — not just institutions.
