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Virginia business programs create a striking value proposition, with James Madison University graduates earning $64,493 annually while paying just $21,816 net cost. The state's proximity to federal agencies and defense contractors like Northrop Grumman drives strong demand for business economics talent. Old Dominion University offers the most affordable path at $14,170 net cost, while Virginia Tech combines reasonable pricing with an 86% graduation rate.
9
Programs
$14,170 – $32,145
Net Price Range
$54,569
Avg. Program Earnings
62.8%
Avg. Graduation Rate

9 Business/Managerial Economics Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $14,170 $57,556 $12,262 44.4% 95.1%
2 $21,816 $64,493 $13,576 80.9% 78.3%
3 $23,790 $57,318 $15,478 86.3% 57.0%
4 $19,452 $46,217 $16,458 65.4% 91.0%
5 $24,668 $47,260 $52,388 65.3% 39.8%
6 $32,145 $29,162 55.7% 74.5%
7 $17,833 $33,157 55.7%
8 $30,055 $36,028 70.5% 80.4%
9 $14,553 $9,755 40.7% 89.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the wide gap between public and private school costs in Virginia?

Public schools like Old Dominion ($14,170) and Virginia State ($14,553) cost roughly half of private options such as Hampton University ($32,145). However, the VTAG grant helps offset private college expenses for Virginia residents.

How do Virginia business graduates' earnings compare to their college costs?

James Madison graduates see the strongest return, earning $64,493 against $21,816 in costs. Even Virginia Commonwealth graduates earning $46,217 face just $19,452 in net expenses, creating positive value across the state.

Which Virginia schools offer the best graduation rates for business majors?

Virginia Tech leads with 86.3% of business students completing degrees, followed by James Madison at 80.9%. These rates significantly exceed the national average for business programs.

Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.