Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Virginia Wesleyan University #1398 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $50,183, placing Virginia Wesleyan University in the 10.3 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Virginia Wesleyan University sits in the 14.3 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. --- Azimuth ranks Virginia Wesleyan University #1398 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions, reflecting broad strengths across access, mobility, and affordability. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $50,183, placing the institution in the 10.3 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. These outcomes reflect the university's strong earnings-beyond-expectations performance, placing it in the 14.3 percentile among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Virginia Wesleyan University #1398 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 5.7 percentile for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private baccalaureate college in Virginia Beach, VA, Virginia Wesleyan University enrolls roughly 1,256 undergraduates. Retention is 74.2% and the six-year graduation rate is 41.6%, reflecting solid conversion of enrollment into degree completion. Where Virginia Wesleyan University performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks Virginia Wesleyan University #1310 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 11.5 percentile for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $50,183, placing Virginia Wesleyan University in the 10.3 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $12,957 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Virginia Wesleyan University in the 14.3 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite. Virginia Wesleyan University sits in the 19.1 percentile for access and the 33.6 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution's enrollment of 27.1% Pell-eligible students and 30.9% first-generation students reflects a more selective admissions posture typical of private baccalaureate colleges. Mobility outcomes rank at the 11.4 percentile, indicating moderate performance in moving students toward economic advancement relative to peer institutions.
Virginia Wesleyan University's published cost of attendance is $51,255. Financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels. Low-income families pay approximately $14,080; middle-income families pay around $15,967; higher-income families pay approximately $24,782. Azimuth ranks Virginia Wesleyan University #946 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Virginia Wesleyan University uses the FAFSA and CSS Profile to assess financial need and distribute need-based aid. The institution participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. Families should review the financial aid page ↗ for current aid policies and application deadlines. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $27,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $39,446; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $50,183, median federal debt of $27,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $305 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Virginia Wesleyan University is a strong fit for students seeking a private liberal arts education in VA with a focus on Business and related fields. The university's small size and coastal location offer a distinctive environment for students who thrive in close-knit academic communities. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $50,183, placing Virginia Wesleyan University in the 10.3 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $12,957 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 14.3 percentile for earnings beyond expectations. The university enrolls students from a range of backgrounds, with 27.1% of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants and 30.9% identifying as first-generation. This access profile combines with a 45.5% completion rate for Pell recipients to create meaningful mobility pathways. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 72.9% admission rate reflects selective access, and the program mix leans toward Business (15% of degrees). Students whose interests align with these areas will find focused academic support and career preparation.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
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This is the Virginia Wesleyan University hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Virginia Wesleyan University's published cost of attendance is $51,255. Financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels.
Low-income families pay approximately $14,080; middle-income families pay around $15,967; higher-income families pay approximately $24,782. Azimuth ranks Virginia Wesleyan University #946 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Virginia Wesleyan University uses the FAFSA and CSS Profile to assess financial need and distribute need-based aid.
The institution participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. Families should review the [financial aid page ↗](#) for current aid policies and application deadlines.
Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $27,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $39,446; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $50,183, median federal debt of $27,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $305 under standard ten-year repayment.
For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Virginia Wesleyan University earn median 4-year earnings of $50,183, placing the institution in the 10.3 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $12,957 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Virginia Wesleyan University in the 14.3 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Virginia Wesleyan University #1310 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Virginia Wesleyan University's concentration in business and professional fields.
Business Administration is the largest program with 38 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $63,159, performing at 0.9x the national benchmark for the field. The Psychology, General program graduates 33 students earning median 4-year earnings of $43,511, also outperforming its national benchmark at 0.9x.
Criminal Justice enrolls 17 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $52,247, performing at 0.9x benchmark. These programs anchor Virginia Wesleyan University's return profile, with Business representing the institution's primary degree focus.
Business Administration, Management and Operations
38 graduates
Criminal Justice and Corrections
17 graduates
Mathematics
8 graduates
Psychology, General
33 graduates
Political Science and Government
8 graduates
Virginia Wesleyan University's program mix is anchored in Business and professional fields. Business Administration is the largest program with 38 graduates, followed by Psychology, General, Biology, General, Criminal Justice, and Biological and Physical Sciences.
The institution's dominant program families include Business at 15%, Social Sciences at 8%, and Arts at 6%, reflecting a professional and applied-business orientation. Among the institution's 0 ranked programs, several deliver strong four-year earnings outcomes.
Business Administration graduates earn median earnings of $63,159 four years after enrollment with 38 graduates, while Criminal Justice graduates earn $52,247 with 17 graduates. Psychology, General rounds out the earnings leaders with median earnings of $43,511 and 33 graduates.
These programs represent the institution's strongest economic outcomes and align with the broader Business-focused portfolio. Virginia Wesleyan University serves 228 students across 18 programs, with most graduates entering professional and business-oriented careers in the Hampton Roads region and beyond.
The concentration in Business and related applied fields positions graduates for direct workforce entry in stable, in-demand sectors. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these program families align with regional and national labor-market trends.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Missouri Baptist University Similar quality tier (#36184 ranked) | MO | 69% | $46,660 | #36184 | Compare |
Lourdes University Similar quality tier (#36182 ranked) | OH | 74% | $48,150 | #36182 | Compare |
Benedictine College Similar quality tier (#36186 ranked) | KS | 98% | $53,175 | #36186 | Compare |
Keystone College Similar quality tier (#36181 ranked) | PA | 85% | $44,976 | #36181 | Compare |
Southern Virginia University Similar quality tier in Southeast (#36187 ranked) | VA | 96% | $50,002 | #36187 | Compare |
