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2023 Best Value Colleges for Economics (Income $48-$75k) in Virginia

16 Ranked Colleges
1,329 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Economics Schools in Virginia For Those Making $48-$75k

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 “Best Value Economics Schools in Virginia For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Economics is the 19th most popular major in the country with 49,055 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. 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 $48-$75k” ranking, we looked at 16 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.

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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Economics Schools in Virginia For Those Making $48-$75k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Economics Schools in Virginia For Those Making $48-$75k

The colleges and universities below are the best for virginia economics students whose families make $48-$75k.

Top 16 Best Value Colleges for Economics (Income $48-$75k) 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 $48-$75k. Washington and Lee is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Lexington, Virginia. It awarded 63 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

Washington and Lee also took the #3 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $6,505 for Virginia Economics students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Washington and Lee University.

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. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.4% 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 full report on Economics at Washington and Lee University

2
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 #2 for the Best Value Economics Schools in Virginia For Those Making $48-$75k. This large school is located in Charlottesville, Virginia, and it awarded 528 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

University of Virginia did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Economics Schools in Virginia” list. It costs about $16,019 for Virginia Economics students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Virginia.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, 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 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Economics at University of Virginia - Main Campus

3
William & Mary crest
William & Mary
Williamsburg, Virginia

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend William & Mary. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Economics Schools in Virginia For Those Making $48-$75k. William & Mary is located in Williamsburg, Virginia and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 127 ’s economics degrees to qualified students.

William & Mary not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Economics Schools in Virginia” list. It costs about $10,995 for virginia economics students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend William & Mary.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Economics at William & Mary

4
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University of Richmond
University of Richmond, Virginia

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Richmond. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in Virginia For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in University of Richmond, Virginia, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 47 degrees to qualified ’s economics students in 2020-2021.

URichmond also made our “Best Economics Schools in Virginia” list, coming in at #4. The yearly cost to attend University of Richmond is $16,063 for virginia economics students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate 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. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Economics at University of Richmond

5
VMI crest
Virginia Military Institute
Lexington, Virginia

Out of the 16 schools in the Best Value Economics Schools in Virginia For Those Making $48-$75k 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 did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Economics Schools in Virginia” list. The yearly cost to attend VMI is $13,613 for Virginia Economics students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Economics at VMI

6
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia

Virginia Tech came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools in Virginia For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Virginia Tech is a large school located in Blacksburg, Virginia that handed out 102 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

Virginia Tech also took the #2 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $18,372 for virginia economics students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Virginia Tech.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. 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%.

Full Virginia Tech Economics Report

7
GMU crest
George Mason University
Fairfax, Virginia

With a ranking of #7, George Mason University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in Virginia For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Fairfax, Virginia, this large public school handed out 202 degrees to qualified ’s economics students 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 $19,066 for Virginia Economics students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend George Mason University.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Read more about Economics at GMU

8
JMU crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, Virginia

With a ranking of #8, James Madison University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in Virginia For Those Making $48-$75k list. 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.

JMU also made our “Best Economics Schools in Virginia” list, coming in at #7. The yearly cost to attend James Madison University is $19,216 for Virginia Economics students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%.

Full JMU Economics Report

9
Old Dominion crest
Old Dominion University
Norfolk, Virginia

Old Dominion University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in Virginia For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #9. Old Dominion University is a public institution located in Norfolk, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 10 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Old Dominion also took the #12 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in Virginia” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Old Dominion is $16,954 for virginia economics students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Economics at Old Dominion

10
Radford crest
Radford University
Radford, Virginia

With a ranking of #10, Radford University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in Virginia For Those Making $48-$75k list. Radford University is a medium-sized school located in Radford, Virginia that handed out 13 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

Radford also made our “Best Economics Schools in Virginia” list, coming in at #16. The estimated yearly cost for Radford University is $16,716 for virginia economics students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Economics at Radford

11
Randolph - Macon crest
Randolph - Macon College
Ashland, Virginia

Randolph - Macon College landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in Virginia For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This small school is located in Ashland, Virginia, and it awarded 7 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

Randolph - Macon not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Economics Schools in Virginia” list. The yearly cost to attend Randolph - Macon is $22,621 for Virginia Economics students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Economics at Randolph - Macon

12
Roanoke crest
Roanoke College
Salem, Virginia

Roanoke College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in Virginia For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #12. Roanoke College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Salem, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 3 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Roanoke not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Economics Schools in Virginia” list. The yearly cost to attend Roanoke is $23,983 for Virginia Economics students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Economics at Roanoke

13
UMW crest
University of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, Virginia

University of Mary Washington did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in Virginia For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #13. Located in Fredericksburg, Virginia, this small public school awarded 24 diplomas to qualified ’s economics students in 2020-2021.

UMW did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Economics Schools in Virginia” list. The estimated yearly cost for UMW is $19,728 for Virginia Economics students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%.

Full University of Mary Washington Economics Report

14
Lynchburg crest
University of Lynchburg
Lynchburg, Virginia

University of Lynchburg landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in Virginia For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of Lynchburg is located in Lynchburg, Virginia and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 9 ’s economics degrees to qualified students.

Lynchburg also took the #14 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in Virginia” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Lynchburg is $20,963 for Virginia Economics students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%.

Full University of Lynchburg Economics Report

15
CNU crest
Christopher Newport University
Newport News, Virginia

Christopher Newport University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Economics Schools in Virginia For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Christopher Newport University is a small school located in Newport News, Virginia that handed out 19 ’s economics degrees in 2020-2021.

CNU also took the #11 spot in our “Best Economics Schools in Virginia” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for CNU is $21,165 for virginia economics students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

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

Hampden - Sydney College landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Economics Schools in Virginia For Those Making $48-$75k 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 also made our “Best Economics Schools in Virginia” list, coming in at #13. The estimated yearly cost for Hampden - Sydney College is $24,999 for virginia economics students whose families make $48-$75k.

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. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Economics at Hampden - Sydney College

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