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2022 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Economics (Income $0-$30k) in Virginia

20 Ranked Colleges
1,278 Degrees Awarded
$13,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor's in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Economics is the 18th most popular major in the country with 48,831 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, economics graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $47,295 and had an average of $21,978 in loans still to pay off.

Across Virginia, there were 1,392 economics graduates with average earnings and debt of $47,150 and $23,646 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 1,278 economics graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 20 colleges that offer a degree in economics. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great economics programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the economics program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

The economics 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 “Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k”.

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 when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 20 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Economics (Income $0-$30k) in Virginia

#1

Washington and Lee University

Lexington, Virginia

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Washington and Lee University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k. This small school is located in Lexington, Virginia, and it awarded 56 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our virginia bachelor’s degree economics students whose families make $0-$30k list, Washington and Lee has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Washington and Lee is $1,612 for Virginia Bachelor’s Degree Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low 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%. The student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. 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 Economics at Washington and Lee University

#2

William & Mary

Williamsburg, Virginia

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend William & Mary. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in Williamsburg, Virginia, and it awarded 142 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our virginia bachelor’s degree economics students whose families make $0-$30k list, William & Mary has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $4,711 for virginia bachelor’s degree economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend William & Mary.

The low student loan default rate of 1.0% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Economics at William & Mary

#3

University of Richmond

University of Richmond, Virginia

Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Richmond landed the #3 spot on the list. University of Richmond is located in University of Richmond, Virginia and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 42 bachelors’s economics degrees to qualified students.

URichmond also took the #4 spot in our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $9,112 for virginia bachelor’s degree economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend URichmond.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.

Full URichmond Economics Report

#4

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 #4 for the Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k. Charlottesville, Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s economics degrees to 511 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at University of Virginia, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Virginia is $8,882 for Virginia Bachelor’s Degree Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The low student loan default rate of 1.6% 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 Economics at University of Virginia - Main Campus

#5

Virginia Military Institute

Lexington, Virginia

Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Virginia Military Institute landed the #5 spot on the list. Virginia Military Institute is a small public school situated in Lexington, Virginia. It awarded 50 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our virginia bachelor’s degree economics students whose families make $0-$30k list, VMI has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $8,789 for Virginia Bachelor’s Degree Economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Virginia Military Institute.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Economics at VMI

#6

Virginia Tech

Blacksburg, Virginia

Virginia Tech came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Virginia Tech is a public institution located in Blacksburg, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 116 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Virginia Tech, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $11,138 for virginia bachelor’s degree economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Virginia Tech.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Economics at Virginia Tech

#7

James Madison University

Harrisonburg, Virginia

James Madison University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. JMU is a large public school situated in Harrisonburg, Virginia. It awarded 61 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at JMU, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $14,196 for Virginia Bachelor’s Degree Economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend James Madison University.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Economics at JMU

#8

Emory and Henry College

Emory, Virginia
#12 in overall quality

Emory and Henry College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. Emory & Henry College is located in Emory, Virginia and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 5 bachelors’s economics degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Emory & Henry College, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $13,366 for Virginia Bachelor’s Degree Economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Emory and Henry College.

The 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.

Full Emory and Henry College Economics Report

#9

George Mason University

Fairfax, Virginia

With a ranking of #9, George Mason University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k list. Fairfax, Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s economics degrees to 132 students in 2019-2020.

GMU also made our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” list, coming in at #8. The yearly cost to attend George Mason University is $16,204 for Virginia Bachelor’s Degree Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The low student loan default rate of 2.6% 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 full report on Economics at GMU

#10

Radford University

Radford, Virginia

Radford University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. This fairly large school is located in Radford, Virginia, and it awarded 20 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our virginia bachelor’s degree economics students whose families make $0-$30k list, Radford has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Radford is $12,071 for Virginia Bachelor’s Degree Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Economics at Radford University

#11

Christopher Newport University

Newport News, Virginia

Christopher Newport University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. CNU is located in Newport News, Virginia and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 35 bachelors’s economics degrees to qualified students.

CNU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” list. The yearly cost to attend Christopher Newport University is $16,529 for Virginia Bachelor’s Degree Economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The low student loan default rate of 1.3% 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 Economics at Christopher Newport University

#12

Longwood University

Farmville, Virginia
#17 in overall quality

Longwood University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Longwood is a small public school situated in Farmville, Virginia. It awarded 4 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

Longwood did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” list. The estimated yearly cost for Longwood is $14,704 for virginia bachelor’s degree economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Economics at Longwood University

#13

University of Mary Washington

Fredericksburg, Virginia

With a ranking of #13, University of Mary Washington did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Mary Washington is a small school located in Fredericksburg, Virginia that handed out 12 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our virginia bachelor’s degree economics students whose families make $0-$30k list, UMW has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $12,988 for virginia bachelor’s degree economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Mary Washington.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Economics at UMW

#14

Old Dominion University

Norfolk, Virginia
#18 in overall quality

Old Dominion University landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Old Dominion is a public institution located in Norfolk, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Old Dominion not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” list. The estimated yearly cost for Old Dominion University is $12,017 for virginia bachelor’s degree economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Economics at Old Dominion University

#15

Bridgewater College

Bridgewater, Virginia
#13 in overall quality

Bridgewater College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #15. Bridgewater is a small school located in Bridgewater, Virginia that handed out 8 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

Bridgewater also made our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” list, coming in at #13. It costs about $14,220 for Virginia Bachelor’s Degree Economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Bridgewater.

Read full report on Economics at Bridgewater College

#16

Roanoke College

Salem, Virginia
#10 in overall quality

Roanoke College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Roanoke College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Salem, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 11 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Roanoke not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” list. The estimated yearly cost for Roanoke College is $17,473 for virginia bachelor’s degree economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 3.5% 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 full report on Economics at Roanoke College

#17

Randolph - Macon College

Ashland, Virginia

Randolph - Macon College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Randolph - Macon College is a small school located in Ashland, Virginia that handed out 14 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

Randolph - Macon also made our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” list, coming in at #11. The estimated yearly cost for Randolph - Macon is $23,012 for virginia bachelor’s degree economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Randolph - Macon College Economics Report

#18

University of Lynchburg

Lynchburg, Virginia
#20 in overall quality

With a ranking of #18, University of Lynchburg did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Lynchburg is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Lynchburg, Virginia. It awarded 11 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

Lynchburg also took the #20 spot in our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $19,128 for virginia bachelor’s degree economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Lynchburg.

The 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 Economics at Lynchburg

#19

Marymount University

Arlington, Virginia
#15 in overall quality

Marymount University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. This small school is located in Arlington, Virginia, and it awarded 10 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

Marymount not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” list. It costs about $22,212 for virginia bachelor’s degree economics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Marymount.

The low student loan default rate of 3.4% 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 Economics at Marymount

#20

Hampden - Sydney College

Hampden-Sydney, Virginia

Hampden - Sydney College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools for a Bachelor’s in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k list. Hampden - Sydney College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Hampden-Sydney, Virginia. It awarded 23 bachelors’s economics degrees in 2019-2020.

Hampden - Sydney did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Economics Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Virginia” list. The estimated yearly cost for Hampden - Sydney College is $23,836 for virginia bachelor’s degree economics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 4.4% 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%. Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on Economics at Hampden - Sydney

Notes and References

References

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Credits

  • Credit for the banner image above goes to pixabay.

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