Cheapest Engineering Colleges in Virginia

Old Dominion University offers Virginia's most affordable engineering education at just $14,170 net cost, though its 44% graduation rate trails significantly behind other options. The state's eight programs span from $14,170 to $32,145, with earnings ranging from $51,273 to $57,943 after graduation. Virginia's proximity to major defense contractors like Northrop Grumman creates strong demand for engineering graduates, particularly in the Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia regions where federal spending drives technological advancement.

Programs

$14,170 – $32,145

Net Price Range

$54,608

Avg. Program Earnings

69.8%

Avg. Graduation Rate

8 Engineering, General Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Old Dominion University Norfolk, Virginia	$14,170	$12,262	44.4%	95.1%
2	Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, Virginia	$19,452	$16,458	65.4%	91.0%
3	James Madison University Harrisonburg, Virginia	$21,816	$13,576	80.9%	78.3%
4	University of Virginia-Main Campus Charlottesville, Virginia	$22,881	$20,986	95.3%	18.7%
5	Eastern Mennonite University Harrisonburg, Virginia	$23,615	$41,860	47.1%	99.5%
6	Washington and Lee University Lexington, Virginia	$23,911	$64,525	94.9%	17.0%
7	Randolph-Macon College Ashland, Virginia	$27,759	$48,002	74.6%	85.5%
8	Hampton University Hampton, Virginia	$32,145	$29,162	55.7%	74.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Public universities like Old Dominion ($14,170) and VCU ($19,452) offer substantially lower net costs than private schools, with Hampton University reaching $32,145. The VTAG grant helps reduce private college expenses for Virginia residents, but public institutions still maintain a significant cost advantage of $10,000 to $18,000 annually.

How do graduation rates vary among Virginia's most affordable engineering programs?

Graduation rates span from Old Dominion's 44% to UVA's strong 95%, creating a clear trade-off between cost and completion likelihood. James Madison University achieves an 81% graduation rate at $21,816 net cost, offering a middle ground between affordability and academic success.

Does the University of Virginia justify its higher cost among these affordable options?

UVA's $22,881 net cost comes with a 95% graduation rate and highly selective 19% acceptance rate, positioning it as the premium option among affordable choices. While more expensive than ODU or VCU, it costs less than most private alternatives while delivering superior outcomes for engineering students.

More Engineering, General Rankings

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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.