Best College ROI in Va 2026
57 colleges in Va analyzed for return on investment. Strayer University-Virginia leads with a ROI Score of 100/100 (STRONG BUY).
Va has 57 colleges tracked in the Department of Education's College Scorecard, split between 15 public institutions and 42 private ones. Across the 57 schools with enough data to score, graduates of the top-paying major at each school carry a median federal debt of $24K and earn $85K in their first year out — the gap that determines whether a degree pays back.
98% of Va colleges earn an A or B on the ROI Score, with the rest landing at C or below. First-year earnings top out at Strayer University-Virginia (median $95K on Computer and Information Sciences).
All numbers come from the latest College Scorecard release, which tracks outcomes for federal financial aid recipients only — graduates who paid cash or used private loans aren't in this dataset, so actual median debt at high-income schools may be lower than shown. The ROI Score weights debt-to-income (35%), earnings premium (25%), BLS job outlook (20%), graduation rate (10%), and debt vs. national average (10%).
Top 3 Best ROI Colleges in Va
Strayer University-Virginia
Private · Verdict: STRONG BUY
Tops Va's ROI rankings on its Computer and Information Sciences program. Graduates earn a median $95K in their first year against $4K in median debt.
Christopher Newport University
Public · Verdict: STRONG BUY
Second-best ROI in the state, driven by Computer Science. Five-year median earnings: $147K.
Emory & Henry University
Private · Verdict: STRONG BUY
Third on the ROI Score with Mathematics. Graduation rate 10000%, debt $21K.
Top 20 Colleges by ROI in Va
| # | School | Best Major | Median Debt | 1yr Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Strayer University-Virginia(private) | Computer and Information Sciences | $4K | $95K | A (100) |
| 2 | Christopher Newport University(public) | Computer Science | $21K | $95K | A (96) |
| 3 | Emory & Henry University(private) | Mathematics | $21K | $78K | A (96) |
| 4 | Ferrum College(private) | Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | $22K | $95K | A (96) |
| 5 | Hampden-Sydney College(private) | Mathematics | $20K | $78K | A (96) |
| 6 | James Madison University(public) | Computer and Information Sciences | $20K | $95K | A (96) |
| 7 | Randolph-Macon College(private) | Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | $22K | $95K | A (96) |
| 8 | Shenandoah University(private) | Computer and Information Sciences | $21K | $95K | A (96) |
| 9 | University of Mary Washington(public) | Computer and Information Sciences | $21K | $95K | A (96) |
| 10 | University of Richmond(private) | Computer and Information Sciences | $21K | $95K | A (96) |
| 11 | University of Virginia-Main Campus(public) | Computer and Information Sciences | $20K | $95K | A (96) |
| 12 | University of Virginia's College at Wise(public) | Computer Science | $19K | $95K | A (96) |
| 13 | Washington and Lee University(private) | Computer Science | $20K | $95K | A (96) |
| 14 | Washington University of Science and Technology(private) | Computer and Information Sciences | $20K | $95K | A (96) |
| 15 | William & Mary(public) | Computer Science | $21K | $95K | A (96) |
| 16 | Bluefield University(private) | Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | $23K | $95K | A (95) |
| 17 | Bridgewater College(private) | Computer Science | $23K | $95K | A (95) |
| 18 | George Mason University(public) | Computer and Information Sciences | $22K | $95K | A (95) |
| 19 | Hampton University(private) | Computer and Information Sciences | $21K | $95K | A (95) |
| 20 | Hollins University(private) | Mathematics | $22K | $78K | A (95) |
College debt and earnings data for Va is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, which tracks outcomes for federal financial aid recipients.
Frequently Asked Questions
Strayer University-Virginia has the best ROI in Va with a score of 100/100 (STRONG BUY). The top major is Computer and Information Sciences, with $95K in first-year median earnings against $4K in median debt.
Across 57 Va colleges with ROI data, graduates carry a median debt of about $24K on the best-paying major at each school. First-year median earnings on those same programs average $85K.
Strayer University-Virginia graduates earn the most one year out, with median first-year pay of $95K on its top major (Computer and Information Sciences). After five years, those graduates earn a median of $147K.
Va has 57 colleges in our database (15 public, 42 private). Of the 57 with reportable ROI, 98% earn an A or B grade.
The ROI Score (0-100) weighs debt-to-income ratio (35%), earnings premium over a high school graduate (25%), job market outlook (20%), graduation rate (10%), and debt vs. national average (10%). Scores are graded A-F with verdicts from "Strong Buy" to "Avoid." Data comes from the College Scorecard and BLS occupational projections.
ROI Score: debt-to-income (35%), earnings premium (25%), job market outlook (20%), graduation rate (10%), debt vs. national average (10%).