Best Colleges in Virginia 2026

Virginia has 109 colleges and universities in our database; 89 report the graduation-rate data our ranking requires. The top 25 are ranked below by a fixed four-factor formula: 6-year graduation rate (30%), median earnings 10 years after entry (30%), admission selectivity (20%), and in-state tuition affordability (20%).

Schools Ranked

$61,769

Avg. Earnings

73.9%

Avg. Graduation Rate

Top 25 Schools

College rankings
#	School	Graduation Rate	Median Earnings	Acceptance Rate	In-State Tuition
1	University of Virginia-Main Campus Charlottesville, Virginia	95.3%	$86,863	18.7%	$20,986
2	Chamberlain University-Virginia Vienna, Virginia	100.0%	$92,405	50.0%	$20,462
3	University of Management and Technology Arlington, Virginia	100.0%	$68,530		$9,450
4	Centra College Lynchburg, Virginia	100.0%	$60,122	40.0%	$12,263
5	William & Mary Williamsburg, Virginia	91.0%	$73,490	33.5%	$25,040
6	Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, Virginia	86.3%	$81,698	57.0%	$15,478
7	Washington and Lee University Lexington, Virginia	94.9%	$94,810	17.0%	$64,525
8	DeVry University-Virginia Arlington, Virginia	100.0%	$45,987	33.3%	$17,488
9	Virginia Military Institute Lexington, Virginia	81.8%	$77,369	71.1%	$20,484
10	James Madison University Harrisonburg, Virginia	80.9%	$69,954	78.3%	$13,576
11	University of Richmond University of Richmond, Virginia	87.8%	$76,178	24.4%	$62,600
12	University of the Potomac-VA Campus FALLS CHURCH, Virginia	77.8%	$34,961		$6,660
13	George Mason University Fairfax, Virginia	69.3%	$76,343	90.0%	$13,815
14	Christopher Newport University Newport News, Virginia	75.1%	$60,509	85.4%	$16,351
15	Advanced Technology Institute Virginia Beach, Virginia	73.0%	$46,342	70.2%	$14,568
16	University of Mary Washington Fredericksburg, Virginia	67.4%	$60,613	85.8%	$14,559
17	Regent University Virginia Beach, Virginia	54.1%	$44,498	32.3%	$20,686
18	Northern Virginia Community College Annandale, Virginia	37.3%	$53,557		$5,703
19	Hampden-Sydney College Hampden-Sydney, Virginia	65.3%	$67,640	39.8%	$52,388
20	Mountain Empire Community College Big Stone Gap, Virginia	53.0%	$32,622		$4,863
21	Riverside College of Health Careers Newport News, Virginia	62.5%	$66,072	100.0%	$14,875
22	New River Community College Dublin, Virginia	43.8%	$40,025		$4,835
23	Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, Virginia	65.4%	$58,128	91.0%	$16,458
24	Mountain Gateway Community College Clifton Forge, Virginia	45.7%	$34,293		$4,878
25	Brightpoint Community College Chester, Virginia	38.7%	$41,223		$4,938