Skip to main content

Cheapest Economics Colleges in Virginia

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

The University of Virginia's College at Wise offers Economics students an extraordinary value at just $11,180 net cost, making it nearly $3,000 cheaper than the next most affordable option. This small Appalachian campus provides access to the same degree quality as UVA's main campus while maintaining a 75.57% acceptance rate. Virginia's proximity to Washington D.C. creates strong demand for economics graduates in federal agencies, defense contractors like Northrop Grumman, and consulting firms such as Booz Allen Hamilton. The state's 20 Economics programs range from $11,180 to $23,790 in net costs, with earnings spanning $41,007 to $62,409 for recent graduates. Public universities dominate the most affordable options, though private schools like Mary Baldwin University and Randolph College offer competitive net prices around $17,833 and $18,436 respectively. The VTAG grant provides additional support for Virginia residents attending private institutions, helping bridge the cost gap between public and private education.
27
Programs
$11,180 – $33,417
Net Price Range
$48,917
Avg. Program Earnings
66.4%
Avg. Graduation Rate

27 Economics Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $11,180 $11,656 49.8% 75.6%
2 $14,170 $12,262 44.4% 95.1%
3 $16,640 $12,286 49.6% 93.3%
4 $17,833 $33,157 55.7%
5 $18,287 $13,815 69.3% 90.0%
6 $18,436 $29,010 51.5% 95.0%
7 $18,849 $20,484 81.8% 71.1%
8 $20,173 $41,350 49.4% 90.4%
9 $20,187 $35,540 61.6% 95.9%
10 $20,591 $35,280 53.8% 96.9%
11 $20,814 $15,200 61.6% 87.8%
12 $21,108 $14,559 67.4% 85.8%
13 $21,816 $13,576 80.9% 78.3%
14 $22,197 $16,351 75.1% 85.4%
15 $22,263 $42,260 69.7% 72.4%
16 $22,529 $25,040 91.0% 33.5%
17 $22,881 $20,986 95.3% 18.7%
18 $23,383 $25,110 48.1% 75.8%
19 $23,615 $41,860 47.1% 99.5%
20 $23,790 $15,478 86.3% 57.0%
21 $23,911 $64,525 94.9% 17.0%
22 $24,668 $52,388 65.3% 39.8%
23 $25,153 $39,050 57.9% 81.4%
24 $27,759 $48,002 74.6% 85.5%
25 $27,786 $36,774 65.9% 79.8%
26 $32,145 $29,162 55.7% 74.5%
27 $33,417 $62,600 87.8% 24.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes UVA-Wise so much cheaper than other Virginia Economics programs?

UVA-Wise offers the lowest net cost at $11,180, nearly $3,000 less than Old Dominion's $14,170. As a regional campus of the University of Virginia system, it provides access to quality education with lower overhead costs. The 75.57% acceptance rate makes it accessible while maintaining academic standards. Students receive a UVA degree at a fraction of the main campus cost.

How do graduation rates compare between the cheapest and most expensive programs?

The most affordable schools show mixed graduation performance, with UVA-Wise at 49.80% and Old Dominion at 44.40%. However, pricier options like James Madison University achieve 80.90% graduation rates at $21,816 net cost. Virginia Military Institute combines reasonable costs ($18,849) with strong outcomes (81.80% graduation rate). The correlation between price and graduation success varies significantly across Virginia programs.

Is the earnings potential worth the cost difference between public and private schools?

Earnings data shows George Mason graduates earning $51,915 compared to Christopher Newport's $41,007, despite similar net costs around $18,000-22,000. James Madison produces graduates earning $49,270 with just $17,000 in debt. The lowest-cost option, UVA-Wise, lacks earnings data, making direct comparison difficult. Private school graduates don't consistently out-earn their public counterparts in Virginia.

Does Virginia's government proximity create better job prospects for Economics graduates?

Virginia's location near Washington D.C. creates substantial opportunities in federal agencies, defense contracting, and consulting. Major employers like Northrop Grumman and Booz Allen Hamilton actively recruit economics graduates for policy analysis and strategic planning roles. The state's strong healthcare sector, led by Inova Health, also values economic analysis skills. This geographic advantage benefits graduates from all Virginia programs regardless of cost level.

How does the VTAG grant affect affordability at private Virginia colleges?

The Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant helps state residents attend private colleges, contributing to competitive net prices at schools like Mary Baldwin ($17,833) and Randolph College ($18,436). These private options cost only $3,000-7,000 more than mid-tier public universities. The grant makes private education more accessible while maintaining program quality. Without VTAG, the price gap between public and private would be significantly larger.

More Economics Rankings

Best Value Economics in Virginia Economics Under $20,000 in Virginia

Related

All Economics Programs Best Colleges in Virginia Best Economics in Virginia

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