Cheapest Information Science/Studies Colleges in Virginia

James Madison University graduates earn $72,290 annually, nearly double the $30,228 median for Information Science majors in Virginia. This $42,000 gap highlights how program choice significantly impacts career outcomes in the state's tech sector. Virginia's proximity to federal agencies and defense contractors like Northrop Grumman creates strong demand for information professionals. Public universities dominate affordable options, with Radford University offering the lowest net cost at $16,640. Private institutions range from $18,749 at Regent University to $33,417 at Richmond, though graduation rates vary dramatically from 13.6% to 87.8% across the state's 11 programs.

Programs

$16,640 – $33,417

Net Price Range

$49,958

Avg. Program Earnings

52.3%

Avg. Graduation Rate

11 Information Science/Studies Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Radford University Radford, Virginia	$16,640	$12,286	49.6%	93.3%
2	Regent University Virginia Beach, Virginia	$18,749	$20,686	54.1%	32.3%
3	Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, Virginia	$19,452	$16,458	65.4%	91.0%
4	James Madison University Harrisonburg, Virginia	$21,816	$13,576	80.9%	78.3%
5	Ferrum College Ferrum, Virginia	$22,085	$38,320	28.9%	84.3%
6	Christopher Newport University Newport News, Virginia	$22,197	$16,351	75.1%	85.4%
7	Averett University Danville, Virginia	$23,262	$38,550	43.6%	76.0%
8	South University-Virginia Beach Virginia Beach, Virginia	$24,372	$18,238	13.6%
9	South University-Richmond Glen Allen, Virginia	$26,205	$18,238	20.7%
10	Hampton University Hampton, Virginia	$32,145	$29,162	55.7%	74.5%
11	University of Richmond University of Richmond, Virginia	$33,417	$62,600	87.8%	24.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $42,000 salary difference between the highest and lowest earning programs?

James Madison University graduates earn $72,290 compared to $30,228 at Averett University. JMU's 80.9% graduation rate and stronger industry connections in the federal contracting space likely contribute to these higher outcomes.

How do public university costs compare to private options for Information Science?

Public schools average around $19,000 in net costs, while private institutions range from $18,749 to $33,417. Virginia Commonwealth University offers solid value at $19,452 with graduates earning $53,671 annually.

Is the low 13.6% graduation rate at South University-Virginia Beach concerning?

The for-profit model shows significantly lower completion rates compared to traditional universities. Students also graduate with $45,268 in debt, nearly double the $25,000 average at other Virginia programs.

Does Virginia's job market support Information Science graduates well?

Federal agencies and defense contractors like Booz Allen Hamilton create strong regional demand. The state's tech sector benefits from proximity to Washington DC, offering varied opportunities beyond traditional IT roles.

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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.