Outcomes-based program rankings.
Program outcomes at Virginia Commonwealth University vary significantly by field of study, reflecting different career paths and market demands across disciplines. The rankings below evaluate programs based on graduate earnings, debt levels, and return on investment rather than reputation or prestige, helping students understand how different academic paths translate into post-graduation economic outcomes.
Analyzing 50 programs with available earnings data.
These highlights showcase programs that demonstrate strong performance across earnings potential, national ranking, and enrollment size at Virginia Commonwealth University.
#53 nationally
$58K median earnings
Earnings outcomes show significant variation across Virginia Commonwealth University's program portfolio, with technical and health fields typically producing higher median incomes. The data below reveals how different academic paths translate into post-graduation earning potential, helping students understand the economic implications of their academic choices while recognizing that earnings represent just one dimension of career satisfaction.
Program rankings highlight Virginia Commonwealth University's areas of national distinction across diverse academic fields. The tables below identify programs that rank in the top tier nationally and within Virginia, demonstrating where VCU delivers exceptional outcomes relative to peer institutions. Students can use these rankings as one factor in academic planning while considering personal interests and career goals.
This bar shows the range of median earnings across all majors at this school.
The tables below compare programs in each category by earnings, national ranking, debt levels, and enrollment size.
These sections represent the complete set of ranked undergraduate programs at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Engineering and technology programs at Virginia Commonwealth University deliver strong earnings outcomes with Artificial Intelligence leading at $96,632 and Information Science producing $73,990. Mechanical Engineering shows more modest returns at $76,554, reflecting varied market demand across technical specialties.
These programs require significant technical preparation but typically offer excellent long-term career prospects for students comfortable with quantitative coursework.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Artificial Intelligence. | #53 | $96,632★ |
Program rankings reflect post-graduation earnings and value metrics based on federal College Scorecard data, showing how different academic paths perform in the labor market rather than institutional prestige measures. Earnings differences reflect various factors including regional job markets, industry demand, and career progression patterns that vary significantly across fields. Students should consider these outcomes alongside personal interests, graduate school plans, and career goals when making academic decisions. Cohort sizes indicate program scale and data reliability, with larger programs providing more confident outcome estimates. Virginia Commonwealth University's comprehensive program portfolio serves diverse student interests while maintaining consistent institutional support across all academic areas.
Median earnings 10 years post-enrollment
Debt burden relative to earnings
Institutional contribution to outcomes
recent graduates
Value scores combine earnings outcomes with debt levels to identify programs that deliver strong return on educational investment. The analysis below highlights programs where graduates achieve solid earning potential while maintaining manageable debt levels, creating favorable conditions for long-term financial stability and career flexibility.
Loan trajectory analysis shows how debt levels interact with program-specific earnings to create different repayment scenarios. Business and health programs typically offer excellent affordability with payments under 8% of discretionary income, while some liberal arts and education programs show manageable payments at 12-18% of discretionary income. Psychology, education, and arts programs may require extended payoff periods, though income-based repayment options provide additional flexibility.
| — |
| 76 |
| Electrical and Electronics Engineering. | #128 | $90,430 | — | 28 |
| Chemical Engineering, Other. | #89 | $83,657 | — | 37 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | #198 | $76,554 | — | 104 |
| Computer Engineering, General. | #114 | $76,460 | — | 36 |
| Information Science/Studies. | #19 | $73,990 | $20,892 | 186 |
| Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering. | #69 | $68,352 | — | 55 |
Business programs demonstrate exceptional value at VCU, with Business Commerce ranking #12 nationally and #1 in Virginia while producing strong earnings of $60,623. Digital Marketing offers solid outcomes at $52,497, though with higher debt levels.
Accounting Technology provides specialized training with earnings of $61,171. These programs suit students seeking versatile career preparation with strong employment prospects.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business/Managerial Economics. | #25 | $69,474★ | — | 50 |
| Real Estate.Small sample | #20 | $61,641 | — | 12 |
| Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping. | #188 | $61,171 | — | 76 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | #14 | $60,623 | $20,058 | 354 |
| Banking and Financial Support Services.Small sample | — | $57,318 | — | 7 |
| Digital Marketing. | #142 | $52,497 | $31,888 | 110 |
Health professions at Virginia Commonwealth University show strong earning potential with Adult Health Nursing producing $72,428 for graduates. The nursing program combines solid clinical preparation with manageable debt levels, creating favorable return on investment.
These programs require dedication to clinical training but typically offer stable career prospects with good earning potential and job security.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult Health Nurse/Nursing. | #107 | $72,428★ | $11,490 | 216 |
| Dental Assisting/Assistant.Small sample | #9 | $69,479 | — | 13 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions, Other. | #34 | $65,940 | — | 35 |
| Blood Bank Technology Specialist. | #28 | $61,522 | — | 49 |
Biological sciences at VCU produce moderate earnings of $43,873, ranking #160 nationally with manageable debt levels. These programs serve as foundation for graduate study in medicine, research, or direct workforce entry.
Students should consider graduate school continuation rates when evaluating return on investment, as many science careers require advanced degrees for optimal earnings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Algebra and Number Theory. | #65 | $69,910★ | — | 40 |
| Analytical Chemistry. | #103 | $45,628 | $29,373 | 95 |
| Biology, General. | #162 | $43,873 | $18,234 | 352 |
| Acoustics. | #65 | $39,804 | — | 38 |
| Bioinformatics. | #6 | $37,208 | — | 25 |
Social sciences show varied outcomes with American Government and Politics producing $50,476 and ranking #110 nationally. Forensic Social Work demonstrates strong value at $45,039 with good national ranking.
These programs prepare students for public service, research, and advocacy roles, best suited for students prioritizing social impact alongside economic outcomes.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Urban Studies/Affairs. | #11 | $52,812★ | — | 33 |
| American Government and Politics (United States). | #112 | $50,476 | $19,104 | 186 |
| Forensic Social Work. | #38 | $45,039 | $17,316 | 114 |
| Psychology, General. | #127 | $44,078 | $20,543 | 449 |
| Applied/Public Sociology. | #191 | $41,591 | $25,280 | 70 |
| Anthropology, General. | #115 | $31,916 | — | 36 |
Communication and Media Studies produces solid outcomes with $47,603 in median earnings and ranks #68 nationally. The program offers balanced preparation for media, marketing, and corporate communication careers.
Students should expect competitive job markets but benefit from transferable skills across multiple industries, making this path suitable for those seeking creative and analytical career flexibility.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Communication and Media Studies, Other. | #72 | $47,603 | $19,872 | 229 |
Arts programs show diverse outcomes with Commercial Photography earning $39,889 despite higher debt levels, while English Language and Literature produces $39,808 with much lower debt. Visual and performing arts require significant creative commitment and may involve irregular income patterns, best suited for students prioritizing creative fulfillment alongside economic considerations.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Applied Linguistics. | #53 | $41,671★ | — | 21 |
| American History (United States). | #192 | $40,375 | — | 65 |
| Commercial Photography. | #40 | $39,889 | $26,292 | 278 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | #101 | $39,808 | $9,901 | 104 |
| Cinematography and Film/Video Production. | #30 | $38,301 | — | 69 |
| Buddhist Studies.Small sample | #9 | $35,974 | — | 11 |
| Acting. | #31 | $34,671 | — | 36 |
| Brass Instruments. | #61 | $33,538 | $26,597 | 48 |
| Crafts/Craft Design, Folk Art and Artisanry. | — | $29,063 | — | 32 |
| Art History, Criticism and Conservation. | #235 | $27,538 | $34,662 | 79 |
| Applied and Professional Ethics. | #86 | $26,192 | — | 29 |
| Ballet.Small sample | #24 | $24,035 | — | 16 |
Agricultural Teacher Education ranks #32 nationally with earnings of $42,156, demonstrating solid outcomes for specialized teaching preparation. Education programs typically offer stable employment with pension benefits and work-life balance advantages, though earnings may be more modest than other fields.
These paths suit students committed to educational service and community impact.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Teacher Education. | #35 | $42,156 | $22,981 | 388 |
Environmental Science. leads agriculture & environment with 46K in median earnings.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Environmental Science. | #73 | $46,047 | — | 72 |
Criminal justice programs deliver competitive outcomes with Corrections Administration earning $50,745 and ranking #53 nationally, while Homeland Security programs produce higher earnings at $57,905 and rank #2 nationally. These specialized programs prepare students for public service careers with stable employment and advancement opportunities, particularly suitable for students interested in law enforcement and security fields.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, Other. | #2 | $57,905★ | $25,052 | 117 |
| Corrections Administration. | #55 | $50,745 | $26,789 | 218 |
| Criminalistics and Criminal Science. | #6 | $50,263 | $47,362 | 65 |
Multi-Interdisciplinary Studies produces $46,725 with moderate debt levels, providing flexible preparation for diverse career paths. These programs offer academic breadth rather than specialized training, suitable for students seeking broad intellectual preparation or planning graduate study in different fields than their undergraduate major.
| Program | National Rank | Median Earnings | Median Debt | Cohort Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. | #36 | $46,725★ | $18,543 | 172 |
| Biological and Physical Sciences. | #10 | $45,072 | $22,800 | 69 |
| African Studies. | #35 | $41,752 | — | 57 |
| African-American/Black Studies. | #55 | $40,073 | — | 22 |
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.
