Solid graduate outcomes with earnings above the peer average.
What graduates earn 10 years after enrollment.
Annual salary at 10 years
Lower quartile earnings
Upper quartile earnings
How graduate earnings grow in the decade after enrollment.
University of Virginia graduates demonstrate steady earnings acceleration from early to mid-career, with median earnings rising from $72,359 at six years to $80,156 at eight years and $86,863 at ten years after enrollment. This 20% growth from the six-year to ten-year mark indicates consistent career advancement as graduates move into senior roles and specialized positions.
How outcomes compare to similar institutions.
Strong relative performance — graduates earn notably more than peers at comparable institutions.
Financial justification for the investment.
Excellent affordability. Median debt of $17,500 is well under annual earnings, enabling comfortable repayment.
University of Virginia graduates emerge with manageable debt levels that support long-term financial stability given their strong earnings outcomes. Median debt of $17,500 falls $2,500 below the peer median of $20,000, indicating effective debt management relative to comparable institutions.
University of Virginia achieves top-tier return performance ranking at the 90.2nd percentile nationally, reflecting strong long-term value despite serving a highly privileged student population. The institution generates median earnings of $86,863 ten years after enrollment, placing it in the 96th percentile nationally and $26,320 above the peer median of $60,543.
Approximately 24.1% of UVA graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both immediate workforce entry an...
Program mix explains much of the earnings story.
University of Virginia's strongest earnings outcomes concentrate in technical and professional programs, with Artificial Intelligence leading at $136,620 among 187 graduates and Systems Engineering achieving $113,099 with #1 national ranking. Algebra and Number Theory produces $99,961 earnings, while Bioengineering delivers $94,301 with top-10 national recognition.
Applied Economics serves as the largest program with 511 graduates earning $80,369, providing strong outcomes at scale. Liberal arts programs like Psychology ($60,347) and English Literature ($54,107) deliver more moderate immediate earnings but achieve exceptional national rankings that support graduate school and professional advancement.
See which programs drive the strongest earnings and career trajectories
Earnings variation at University of Virginia spans from $59,194 at the 25th percentile to $130,294 at the 75th percentile, representing a 2.2:1 ratio between top and bottom quartile outcomes. Low-income graduates achieve $84,500 in median earnings, demonstrating strong mobility potential for the limited number of Pell-eligible students who enroll.
