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2025 Best Economics Schools in Virginia

13 Colleges in Virginia
1,276 Economics Degrees Awarded
$55,327 Avg Early-Career Salary
If you pursue a degree in economics, you won't be alone. The field of study is the #19 most popular program in the country. So, there are lots of possibilities to explore when you're trying to determine where you want to get your degree.

For its 2025 ranking, College Factual looked at 13 schools in Virginia to determine which ones were the best for economics students pursuing a degree. Combined, these schools handed out 1,276 degrees in economics to qualified students.

What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Economics School

Best Economics Schools in Virginia The economics program you select can have a big impact on your future. That's why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Economics rankings. For our Best Overall Economics School rankings, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.

In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.

Pick Your Economics Degree Level

Bachelor's Degrees in Economics
Master's Degrees in Economics
Doctor's Degrees in Economics

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we've developed the Best Economics Schools in Virginia ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.

To further help you make the college decision, we've developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Read more about College Factual's methodology.

Best Schools for Economics in Virginia

If you aren't interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the economics degrees they offer, see the list below.

10 Top Virginia Schools in Economics

1
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
483 Economics Degrees Awarded
$74,958 Median Starting Salary

Any student pursuing a degree in economics has to take a look at University of Virginia - Main Campus. University of Virginia is a fairly large public university located in the medium-sized suburb of Charlottesville. A Best Colleges rank of #35 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means University of Virginia is a great university overall.

There were approximately 483 economics students who graduated with this degree at University of Virginia in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the economics major at University of Virginia - Main Campus get $19,631 above the average college graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in economics from University of Virginia - Main Campus

2
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
97 Economics Degrees Awarded
$56,261 Median Starting Salary

Virginia Tech is a great choice for students interested in a degree in economics. Virginia Tech is a fairly large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. A Best Colleges rank of #58 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Virginia Tech is a great school overall.

There were roughly 97 economics students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Tech in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the economics program state that they receive average early career earnings of $56,261.

More information about a degree in economics from Virginia Tech

Sponsored
Masters Degree Type
MS in Applied Economics Program Name

If you're the kind of person who enjoys working with numbers and solving tough problems, a graduate degree in economics may be for you.

More information about a degree in MS in Applied Economics from Southern New Hampshire University
3
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
69 Economics Degrees Awarded
8.7% Growth in Graduates

Washington and Lee University is a great decision for students interested in a degree in economics. Washington and Lee is a small private not-for-profit university located in the distant town of Lexington. A Best Colleges rank of #77 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Washington and Lee is a great university overall.

There were about 69 economics students who graduated with this degree at Washington and Lee in the most recent data year. Economics degree recipients from Washington and Lee University receive an earnings boost of about $16,410 over the typical earnings of economics graduates.

More information about a degree in economics from Washington and Lee University

4
William & Mary crest
William & Mary
Williamsburg, VA
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
119 Economics Degrees Awarded
$65,603 Median Starting Salary

William & Mary is a wonderful option for students interested in a degree in economics. William & Mary is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Williamsburg. A Best Colleges rank of #103 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means William & Mary is a great school overall.

There were roughly 119 economics students who graduated with this degree at William & Mary in the most recent data year. Economics degree recipients from William & Mary earn a boost of around $10,276 over the average income of economics majors.

More information about a degree in economics from William & Mary

5
URichmond crest
University of Richmond
University of Richmond, VA
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
46 Economics Degrees Awarded
$61,027 Median Starting Salary

Located in the medium-sized city of University of Richmond, URichmond is a private not-for-profit university with a small student population. A Best Colleges rank of #126 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means URichmond is a great university overall.

There were roughly 46 economics students who graduated with this degree at URichmond in the most recent year we have data available. Those economics students who get their degree from University of Richmond earn $5,700 more than the standard economics graduate.

More information about a degree in economics from University of Richmond

6
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
157 Economics Degrees Awarded
$62,900 Median Starting Salary

Located in the suburb of Fairfax, GMU is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #92 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means GMU is a great university overall.

There were roughly 157 economics students who graduated with this degree at GMU in the most recent year we have data available. Economics degree recipients from George Mason University earn a boost of approximately $7,573 above the average earnings of economics graduates.

More information about a degree in economics from George Mason University

7
JMU crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
85 Economics Degrees Awarded
32.9% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of Harrisonburg, JMU is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 7th out of 57 schools for overall quality in the state of Virginia.

There were about 85 economics students who graduated with this degree at JMU in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the economics major at James Madison University earn $6,959 more than the average college grad with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in economics from James Madison University

8
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
43 Economics Degrees Awarded
$46,046 Median Starting Salary

VMI is a small public school located in the town of Lexington. This school ranks 23rd out of 57 schools for overall quality in the state of Virginia.

There were about 43 economics students who graduated with this degree at VMI in the most recent data year. Soon after graduating, economics degree recipients typically make around $46,046 at the beginning of their careers.

More information about a degree in economics from Virginia Military Institute

9
Roanoke crest
Roanoke College
Salem, VA
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
18th Most Popular In VA
40.0% Growth in Graduates

Roanoke is a small private not-for-profit college located in the medium-sized suburb of Salem. This college ranks 25th out of 57 schools for overall quality in the state of Virginia.

There were about 5 economics students who graduated with this degree at Roanoke in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in economics from Roanoke College

10
Hampden - Sydney crest
Hampden - Sydney College
Hampden-Sydney, VA
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
$52,155 Median Starting Salary

Hampden - Sydney is a small private not-for-profit college located in the rural area of Hampden-Sydney. This college ranks 24th out of 57 colleges for overall quality in the state of Virginia.

There were approximately 28 economics students who graduated with this degree at Hampden - Sydney in the most recent year we have data available. Graduates who receive their degree from the economics program earn an average of $52,155 for their early career.

More information about a degree in economics from Hampden - Sydney College

Best Economics Colleges in the Southeast Region

Explore all the Best Economics Colleges in the Southeast Area or other specific states within that region.

State Colleges Degrees Awarded
Georgia 287 641
Florida 282 1,443
North Carolina 279 1,245
Tennessee 269 436
South Carolina 248 316
Kentucky 244 221
Louisiana 242 206
Mississippi 234 63
Arkansas 234 103
Alabama 233 107
West Virginia 207 42

View All Rankings >

One of 13 majors within the Social Sciences area of study, Economics has other similar majors worth exploring.

Economics Focus Areas

Major Annual Graduates
General Economics 745
Econometrics & Quantitative Economics 506
Applied Economics 19
Development Economics & International Development 6

View All Economics Concentrations >

Majors Similar to Economics

Related Major Annual Graduates
Political Science & Government 1,806
General Social Sciences 1,311
International Relations & National Security 1,125
Sociology 912
Geography & Cartography 248
Anthropology 221
Urban Studies 73
Other Social Sciences 11
Sociology & Anthropology 10

View All Economics Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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