College ROI Report
Updated 2024
Best-value Colleges in Virginia
If you’re considering attending college in Virginia, use Payscale’s College ROI Report to find the best value schools in Virginia so that you make a smart financial decision when you enroll. Virginia offers a wide array of options for students who want a college education that will set them up for a long, successful career.
| Rank | School Name | 20 Year Net ROI | Total 4 Year Cost | Graduation Rate | Typical Years to Graduate | Average Loan Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank:51 | School Name: Ferrum College (Private) | 20 Year Net ROI:$19,200 | Total 4 Year Cost:$212,000 | Graduation Rate:28% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$27,300 |
| Rank:52 | School Name:Hollins University (Private) | 20 Year Net ROI:$-29,300 | Total 4 Year Cost:$231,000 | Graduation Rate:66% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$25,100 |
| Rank:53 | School Name:Emory & Henry College (Private) | 20 Year Net ROI:$-53,600 | Total 4 Year Cost:$210,000 | Graduation Rate:58% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$25,000 |
The Old Dominion State also boasts a long, lovely coastline along the Atlantic, numerous fascinating historical and cultural sites and some of the most beautiful scenery in the South. Whether you want to be an engineer or a second-grade teacher, you can easily find a college in Virginia that will prepare you and pay off.
Washington and Lee University is one of the most well-known liberal arts schools in the country. Originally founded in 1795 (known as Augusta Academy), Washington and Lee is believed to have graduated the first African-American man in the United States. It was an all-male school until 1985; women were admitted to its law school in 1972. Today, 45 percent of students are women. Washington and Lee offers a wide variety of liberal arts degrees, including a focus on majors in accounting, business administration, economics, politics, and public accounting offered at the Williams School of Commerce, Economics, and Politics. W&L’s close proximity to Washington D.C. is a natural opportunity for students to get great internships that lead to high-paying careers.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University — better known as Virginia Tech is located in Blacksburg, Virginia and was founded in 1872. The public university offers 225 undergraduate and graduate degree programs, with its College of Engineering a particular standout. It’s little wonder that the university appears near the top of Payscale’s best value colleges Virginia list.
With its lovely Jeffersonian architecture, numerous secret societies and reputation for being one of the fittest universities in the nation, the University of Virginia, or simply “Virginia,” perennially offers an incredible return on investment for students. If you have a spirit for adventure, you’ll be intrigued to know the school sends huge numbers of students on to the Peace Corps. Seven NASA astronauts graduated from the university, which exemplifies the fact that this school offers the value of college education Virginia students and their family’s desire.
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