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Best Value Mathematics Colleges in Virginia

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

Washington and Lee University mathematics graduates earn $76,460 annually while Virginia State University students pay just $9,755 in-state tuition, creating a stark $66,705 cost-to-earnings divide across Virginia's mathematics programs. The state's proximity to federal agencies and defense contractors like Northrop Grumman creates strong demand for mathematical modeling and statistical analysis skills. Public universities dominate the value equation, with 11 of the 15 programs charging under $25,000 net cost. William & Mary achieves a 91% graduation rate at $22,529 net cost, while Old Dominion offers the lowest net price at $14,170 for Norfolk-area students. Mathematics students benefit from Virginia's growing data science sector, where federal contractors increasingly seek quantitative professionals for cybersecurity, logistics, and policy analysis roles.
39
Programs
$11,180 – $33,417
Net Price Range
$48,996
Avg. Program Earnings
60.2%
Avg. Graduation Rate

39 Mathematics Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $14,170 $45,696 $12,262 44.4% 95.1%
2 $23,911 $76,460 $64,525 94.9% 17.0%
3 $14,553 $41,193 $9,755 40.7% 89.7%
4 $18,287 $49,214 $13,815 69.3% 90.0%
5 $20,583 $48,432 $36,960 49.1% 81.4%
6 $21,108 $49,625 $14,559 67.4% 85.8%
7 $22,529 $52,107 $25,040 91.0% 33.5%
8 $16,640 $38,289 $12,286 49.6% 93.3%
9 $22,197 $49,683 $16,351 75.1% 85.4%
10 $21,816 $48,041 $13,576 80.9% 78.3%
11 $22,881 $49,019 $20,986 95.3% 18.7%
12 $19,452 $41,193 $16,458 65.4% 91.0%
13 $23,790 $46,321 $15,478 86.3% 57.0%
14 $27,759 $53,810 $48,002 74.6% 85.5%
15 $29,552 $45,852 $21,222 63.5% 99.3%
16 $23,383 $25,110 48.1% 75.8%
17 $24,014 $20,040 38.3% 99.5%
18 $30,055 $36,028 70.5% 80.4%
19 $11,180 $11,656 49.8% 75.6%
20 $27,786 $36,774 65.9% 79.8%
21 $33,417 $62,600 87.8% 24.4%
22 $18,849 $20,484 81.8% 71.1%
23 $19,580 $14,880 41.3% 80.6%
24 $25,153 $39,050 57.9% 81.4%
25 $18,436 $29,010 51.5% 95.0%
26 $12,973 $9,910 32.7% 89.5%
27 $23,262 $38,550 43.6% 76.0%
28 $17,833 $33,157 55.7%
29 $20,187 $35,540 61.6% 95.9%
30 $20,814 $15,200 61.6% 87.8%
31 $22,263 $42,260 69.7% 72.4%
32 $32,145 $29,162 55.7% 74.5%
33 $24,668 $52,388 65.3% 39.8%
34 $22,085 $38,320 28.9% 84.3%
35 $23,615 $41,860 47.1% 99.5%
36 $20,591 $35,280 53.8% 96.9%
37 $18,749 $20,686 54.1% 32.3%
38 $20,173 $41,350 49.4% 90.4%
39 $22,198 $29,696 27.1% 63.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $66,705 gap between highest and lowest tuition costs?

Virginia State University charges $9,755 in-state while Washington and Lee costs $64,525, reflecting the public-private divide. Most public universities cluster between $9,755 and $25,040 for in-state students. Private schools like Randolph-Macon at $48,002 and Liberty at $21,222 show significant variation even within the private sector. The VTAG grant helps bridge some private college costs for qualifying Virginia residents.

How do graduation rates correlate with program costs?

University of Virginia achieves 95.3% graduation at $20,986 in-state tuition, while Virginia State manages 40.7% at $9,755. Washington and Lee leads with 94.9% graduation but costs $64,525. Mid-tier public schools like James Madison (80.9% graduation, $13,576) and Christopher Newport (75.1% graduation, $16,351) offer strong completion rates at moderate costs.

Is Virginia Tech worth the $15,478 in-state cost for mathematics?

Virginia Tech graduates earn $46,321 with an 86.3% graduation rate and moderate $22,375 debt levels. The Blacksburg campus provides strong STEM networking and research opportunities. Compared to George Mason at $13,815 in-state with similar $49,214 earnings, Tech offers slightly lower immediate returns but stronger alumni connections in Northern Virginia's defense sector.

Does acceptance rate indicate program quality for mathematics students?

University of Virginia accepts just 18.66% of applicants and delivers 95.3% graduation rates with $49,019 earnings. Washington and Lee's 16.96% acceptance rate correlates with the highest earnings at $76,460. However, William & Mary accepts 33.5% while maintaining 91% graduation and $52,107 earnings, suggesting multiple pathways to strong outcomes.

Where do Virginia mathematics graduates find the best career opportunities?

Northern Virginia offers the highest concentration of federal contractors seeking mathematical talent, with companies like Booz Allen Hamilton and Northrop Grumman recruiting heavily. George Mason and Virginia Tech graduates benefit from proximity to Pentagon and CIA analytical roles. Richmond's growing financial sector provides additional opportunities for Virginia Commonwealth and University of Richmond mathematics alumni in risk analysis and actuarial work.

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