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2023 Best Value Economics Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k

16 Ranked Colleges
1,329 Degrees Awarded
$14,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Economics Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k

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 in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2020-2021, 49,055 people earned their degree in economics, making the major the 19th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, economics graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $48,736 and had an average of $22,046 in loans still to pay off.

Across Virginia, there were 1,329 economics graduates with average earnings and debt of $54,485 and $22,499 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Economics Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 16 colleges that offer a degree in economics. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality economics programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the economics program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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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 in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k”.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our 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.

Best Value Economics Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for virginia economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 16 Best Value Colleges for Economics (Income $30-$48k) in Virginia

1
Washington and Lee crest
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 in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k. Washington and Lee is a small school located in Lexington, Virginia that handed out 63 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

Washington and Lee did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Economics Schools in Virginia” list. It costs about $850 for virginia economics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Washington and Lee University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Washington and Lee Economics Report

2
William & Mary crest
William & Mary
Williamsburg, Virginia

Out of the 16 schools in the Best Value Economics Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, William & Mary landed the #2 spot on the list. William & Mary is a medium-sized school located in Williamsburg, Virginia that handed out 127 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

William & Mary did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Economics Schools in Virginia” list. The yearly cost to attend William & Mary is $7,507 for virginia economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Economics at William & Mary

3
University of Virginia crest
University of Virginia - Main Campus
Charlottesville, Virginia

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Virginia - Main Campus. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Virginia is located in Charlottesville, Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 528 ’s economics degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our virginia economics students whose families make $30-$48k list, University of Virginia has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Economics Schools in Virginia” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Virginia - Main Campus is $10,063 for virginia economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full University of Virginia Economics Report

4
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University of Richmond
University of Richmond, Virginia

Out of the 16 schools in the Best Value Economics Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Richmond landed the #4 spot on the list. University of Richmond is a small school located in University of Richmond, Virginia that handed out 47 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

URichmond did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Economics Schools in Virginia” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Richmond is $8,606 for Virginia Economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% 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 URichmond Economics Report

5
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Virginia Military Institute
Lexington, Virginia

Out of the 16 schools in the Best Value Economics Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Virginia Military Institute landed the #5 spot on the list. This small school is located in Lexington, Virginia, and it awarded 48 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

VMI not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Economics Schools in Virginia” list. The yearly cost to attend VMI is $12,429 for virginia economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad 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 full report on Economics at Virginia Military Institute

6
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia

Virginia Tech landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Virginia Tech is located in Blacksburg, Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 102 ’s economics degrees to qualified students.

Virginia Tech not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Economics Schools in Virginia” list. It costs about $14,003 for virginia economics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Virginia Tech.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Economics at Virginia Tech

7
JMU crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, Virginia

James Madison University landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Harrisonburg, Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s economics degrees to 57 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at JMU, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in Virginia” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for James Madison University is $14,985 for virginia economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% 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%.

Read more about Economics at JMU

8
GMU crest
George Mason University
Fairfax, Virginia

George Mason University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k list. GMU is a large school located in Fairfax, Virginia that handed out 202 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

GMU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Economics Schools in Virginia” list. It costs about $15,979 for Virginia Economics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend GMU.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Economics at George Mason University

9
Old Dominion crest
Old Dominion University
Norfolk, Virginia

With a ranking of #9, Old Dominion University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k list. Norfolk, Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s economics degrees to 10 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our virginia economics students whose families make $30-$48k list, Old Dominion has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Economics Schools in Virginia” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Old Dominion is $13,574 for virginia economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Old Dominion Economics Report

10
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Radford University
Radford, Virginia

Radford University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #10. This medium-sized school is located in Radford, Virginia, and it awarded 13 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

Radford also took the #16 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $13,026 for virginia economics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Radford.

Read full report on Economics at Radford University

11
UMW crest
University of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, Virginia

University of Mary Washington came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Mary Washington is a public institution located in Fredericksburg, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 24 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMW, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in Virginia” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Mary Washington is $16,459 for virginia economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Economics at UMW

12
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Christopher Newport University
Newport News, Virginia

Christopher Newport University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #12. Christopher Newport University is a small school located in Newport News, Virginia that handed out 19 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CNU, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in Virginia” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for CNU is $15,990 for virginia economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

Read more about Economics at Christopher Newport University

13
Roanoke crest
Roanoke College
Salem, Virginia

Roanoke College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Salem, Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s economics degrees to 3 students in 2020-2021.

Roanoke also took the #9 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $20,849 for virginia economics students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Roanoke College.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Economics at Roanoke

14
Randolph - Macon crest
Randolph - Macon College
Ashland, Virginia

Randolph - Macon College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Economics Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Ashland, Virginia, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 7 diplomas to qualified ’s economics students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Randolph - Macon, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in Virginia” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Randolph - Macon College is $20,027 for virginia economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Economics at Randolph - Macon College

15
Lynchburg crest
University of Lynchburg
Lynchburg, Virginia

With a ranking of #15, University of Lynchburg did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Lynchburg, Virginia, and it awarded 9 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

Lynchburg also made our “Best Economics Schools in Virginia” list, coming in at #14. The yearly cost to attend Lynchburg is $18,080 for Virginia Economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

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. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Economics at University of Lynchburg

16
Hampden - Sydney crest
Hampden - Sydney College
Hampden-Sydney, Virginia

Hampden - Sydney College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Hampden-Sydney, Virginia, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 36 diplomas to qualified ’s economics students in 2020-2021.

Hampden - Sydney not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Economics Schools in Virginia” list. The yearly cost to attend Hampden - Sydney is $27,931 for virginia economics students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full Hampden - Sydney Economics Report

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