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2023 Most Focused Colleges for Engineering in Virginia

34 Ranked Colleges
$33,300 Avg Cost*
Schools Highly Focused on Engineering Major in Virginia

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Schools Highly Focused on Engineering Major in Virginia” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Engineering is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 7th of all the majors we analyze. In 2021-2022, 192,474 degrees were awarded to students with this major. In , engineering graduates who were awarded their degree in , earned an average of $68,641 and had an average of $23,252 in loans still to pay off.

Across Virginia, there were 5,048 engineering graduates with average earnings and debt of $68,502 and $22,260 respectively.

This year’s “Schools Highly Focused on Engineering Major in Virginia” ranking looked at 34 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in engineering. That schools that top this list have a program in engineering in which the largest percentage of students at the school are enrolled.

Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Engineering Schools

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The engineering school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Schools Highly Focused on Engineering Major in Virginia”.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Schools Highly Focused on Engineering Major in Virginia

The colleges and universities below are the best for virginia engineering students.

Top 25 Most Focused Colleges for Engineering in Virginia

1
VMI crest
Virginia Military Institute
Lexington, Virginia

Out of the 34 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Engineering Major in Virginia that were part of this year’s ranking, Virginia Military Institute landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Lexington, Virginia, this small public school handed out 104 degrees to qualified ’s engineering students in 2021-2022.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read more about Engineering at Virginia Military Institute

2
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia

Out of the 34 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Engineering Major in Virginia that were part of this year’s ranking, Virginia Tech landed the #2 spot on the list. Virginia Tech is a large public school situated in Blacksburg, Virginia. It awarded 2,111 ’s engineering degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Virginia Tech Engineering Report

3
Old Dominion crest
Old Dominion University
Norfolk, Virginia

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Old Dominion University. The school came in at #3 for the Schools Highly Focused on Engineering Major in Virginia. Old Dominion is a public institution located in Norfolk, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 482 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Engineering at Old Dominion

4
Sweet Briar crest
Sweet Briar College
Sweet Briar, Virginia

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Sweet Briar College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Engineering Major in Virginia list. Located in Sweet Briar, Virginia, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 6 degrees to qualified ’s engineering students in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about Engineering at Sweet Briar College

5
University of Virginia crest
University of Virginia - Main Campus
Charlottesville, Virginia

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Virginia - Main Campus. The school came in at #5 for the Schools Highly Focused on Engineering Major in Virginia. This large school is located in Charlottesville, Virginia, and it awarded 761 ’s engineering degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Engineering at University of Virginia - Main Campus

6
GMU crest
George Mason University
Fairfax, Virginia

With a ranking of #6, George Mason University did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Engineering Major in Virginia list. Located in Fairfax, Virginia, this large public school handed out 497 degrees to qualified ’s engineering students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full GMU Engineering Report

7

Virginia Commonwealth University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Engineering Major in Virginia ranking. VCU is a public institution located in Richmond, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 319 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Engineering at VCU

8
Norfolk State crest
Norfolk State University
Norfolk, Virginia

Norfolk State University ranked #8 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Engineering Major in Virginia list. Norfolk, Virginia is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s engineering degrees to 23 students in 2021-2022.

Read full report on Engineering at Norfolk State

9
Virginia State crest
Virginia State University
Petersburg, Virginia

Virginia State University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Engineering Major in Virginia ranking, coming in at #9. Virginia State is a small school located in Petersburg, Virginia that handed out 13 ’s engineering degrees in 2021-2022.

Read full report on Engineering at Virginia State

10

Tidewater Community College ranked #10 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Engineering Major in Virginia list. Tidewater Community College is a fairly large school located in Norfolk, Virginia that handed out 81 ’s engineering degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Engineering at Tidewater Community College

11

Thomas Nelson Community College landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Engineering Major in Virginia ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Hampton, Virginia, and it awarded 28 ’s engineering degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Engineering at TNCC

12
CNU crest
Christopher Newport University
Newport News, Virginia

Christopher Newport University ranked #12 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Engineering Major in Virginia list. This small school is located in Newport News, Virginia, and it awarded 22 ’s engineering degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Engineering at CNU

13

With a ranking of #13, Northern Virginia Community College did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Engineering Major in Virginia list. Northern Virginia Community College is located in Annandale, Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 225 ’s engineering degrees to qualified students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Engineering at Northern Virginia Community College

14

The University of Virginia’s College at Wise landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Engineering Major in Virginia ranking. The University of Virginia’s College at Wise is a public institution located in Wise, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 5 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Engineering at The University of Virginia’s College at Wise

15

16

With a ranking of #16, Virginia Western Community College did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Engineering Major in Virginia list. Virginia Western Community College is a public institution located in Roanoke, Virginia. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 27 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Virginia Western Community College Engineering Report

17
Randolph - Macon crest
Randolph - Macon College
Ashland, Virginia

Randolph - Macon College ranked #17 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Engineering Major in Virginia list. Randolph - Macon is a private not-for-profit institution located in Ashland, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 5 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Randolph - Macon Engineering Report

18
Hampden - Sydney crest
Hampden - Sydney College
Hampden-Sydney, Virginia

Hampden - Sydney College landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Engineering Major in Virginia ranking. Hampden - Sydney College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Hampden-Sydney, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 5 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full Hampden - Sydney Engineering Report

19
Reynolds Community College crest
Reynolds Community College
Richmond, Virginia

Reynolds Community College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Engineering Major in Virginia ranking. Reynolds Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Richmond, Virginia. It awarded 22 ’s engineering degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Engineering at Reynolds Community College

20
Hampton crest
Hampton University
Hampton, Virginia

Hampton University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Engineering Major in Virginia ranking, coming in at #20. Located in Hampton, Virginia, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 20 diplomas to qualified ’s engineering students in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Hampton Engineering Report

21

John Tyler Community College did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Engineering Major in Virginia ranking, coming in at #21. Chester, Virginia is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s engineering degrees to 35 students in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full John Tyler Community College Engineering Report

22
JMU crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, Virginia

James Madison University landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Engineering Major in Virginia ranking. This large school is located in Harrisonburg, Virginia, and it awarded 67 ’s engineering degrees in 2021-2022.

With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Engineering at JMU

23
PVCC crest
Piedmont Virginia Community College
Charlottesville, Virginia

Piedmont Virginia Community College did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Engineering Major in Virginia ranking, coming in at #23. This medium-sized school is located in Charlottesville, Virginia, and it awarded 22 ’s engineering degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full PVCC Engineering Report

24

Washington and Lee University landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Engineering Major in Virginia ranking. Located in Lexington, Virginia, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 16 degrees to qualified ’s engineering students in 2021-2022.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about Engineering at Washington and Lee

25
Eastern Mennonite crest
Eastern Mennonite University
Harrisonburg, Virginia

Eastern Mennonite University landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Engineering Major in Virginia ranking. This small school is located in Harrisonburg, Virginia, and it awarded 2 ’s engineering degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Eastern Mennonite Engineering Report

Notes and References

References

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