2023 Most Popular Business Schools in Virginia
There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which business program is right for you. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school or bootcamp that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Business Degree Central has created its Most Popular Business Schools in Virginia ranking. Our analysis looked at 82 schools in Virginia to see which programs were the most popular for business students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.
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Most Popular Business Schools in Virginia
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Our analysis found Liberty University to be the most popular school for business students in Virginia. Liberty University is a large private not-for-profit school located in Lynchburg, Virginia that handed out 4,352 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Liberty University accumulate an average of $30,497 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $420, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Liberty University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $40,489 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 48% were women.
Out of the 82 schools in Virginia that were part of this year’s ranking, Virginia Tech landed the # 2 spot on the list. This large public school is located in Blacksburg, Virginia, and it awarded 2,025 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,405 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $420, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Virginia Tech graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $52,444 during the early year of their career. Around 37% of those degree recipients were women.
The programs at George Mason University helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular business schools in Virginia. Located in Fairfax, Virginia, the large public school handed out 1,883 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from GMU accumulate an average of $22,883 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $355, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from GMU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $56,435 during the early years of their career. Around 46% of those degree recipients were women.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Virginia - Main Campus. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Popular Business Schools in Virginia list. Charlottesville, Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 1,641 students in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $18,266 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $383.After graduating from University of Virginia, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $58,809 during the early years of their career. Around 40% of those degree recipients were women.
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Northern Virginia Community College is a great place for business students. Located in Annandale, Virginia, the large public school handed out 1,345 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Northern Virginia Community College accumulate an average of $16,809 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Northern Virginia Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $37,967 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 52% were women.
Virginia Commonwealth University ranked #6 on this year’s Most Popular Business Schools in Virginia list. VCU is located in Richmond, Virginia and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 949 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from VCU accumulate an average of $25,106 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $227 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from VCU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $47,786 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 47% were women.
With a ranking of #7, Strayer University - Virginia did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for business students working. This small private for-profit school is located in Arlington, Virginia, and it awarded 923 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $38,671 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $121 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Strayer University - Virginia graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $52,529 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 66% were women.
With a ranking of #8, James Madison University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for business students working. JMU is a large public school situated in Harrisonburg, Virginia. It awarded 883 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,564 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $394. Once they receive their degree, JMU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $46,195 during the early year of their career. Around 40% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #9, William & Mary did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for business students working. William & Mary is a medium-sized public school located in Williamsburg, Virginia that handed out 840 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from William & Mary accumulate an average of $18,131 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $447, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, William & Mary graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $47,762 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 38% were women.
With a ranking of #10, Old Dominion University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for business students working. Located in Norfolk, Virginia, the large public school handed out 725 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Old Dominion accumulate an average of $26,724 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $199, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Old Dominion graduates make an average of $46,278 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 45% were women.
University of Richmond ranked #11 on this year’s Most Popular Business Schools in Virginia list. URichmond is a small private not-for-profit school situated in University of Richmond, Virginia. It awarded 468 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $20,430 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $573, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from URichmond, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $49,274 during the early years of their career. Around 46% of those degree recipients were women.
Tidewater Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for business students. It came in at #12 on the list. Located in Norfolk, Virginia, the fairly large public school handed out 444 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Tidewater Community College accumulate an average of $17,518 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Tidewater Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $33,302 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 66% were women.
Regent University ranked #13 on this year’s Most Popular Business Schools in Virginia list. Virginia Beach, Virginia is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 443 students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Regent accumulate an average of $30,172 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $239, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Regent, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $42,538 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 60% were women.
University of Management and Technology landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular business programs. University of Management and Technology is located in Arlington, Virginia and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 437 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,870 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, University of Management and Technology graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $60,399 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 41% were women.
ECPI University ranked #15 on this year’s Most Popular Business Schools in Virginia list. ECPI University is a private for-profit institution located in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 346 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,707 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $125, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, ECPI University graduates make an average of $41,263 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 54% were women.
Radford University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Business Schools in Virginia ranking. Radford is a medium-sized public school situated in Radford, Virginia. It awarded 286 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,711 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $240 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Radford, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $43,099 during the early years of their career. Around 37% of those degree recipients were women.
Washington and Lee University landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular business programs. Washington and Lee is a private not-for-profit institution located in Lexington, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 216 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,229 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $838. During the early years of their career, Washington and Lee graduates make an average of $54,673 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 34% were women.
Hampton University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for business students. It came in at #18 on the list. Located in Hampton, Virginia, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 210 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,260 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $825 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Hampton graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $43,239 during the early year of their career. Around 63% of those degree recipients were women.
Reynolds Community College landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular business programs. Located in Richmond, Virginia, the medium-sized public school handed out 206 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Reynolds Community College accumulate an average of $19,598 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Reynolds Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $35,589 during the early year of their career. Around 58% of those degree recipients were women.
University of Mary Washington landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular business programs. Located in Fredericksburg, Virginia, the small public school handed out 196 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $21,222 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $371 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UMW graduates make an average of $38,573 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 54% were women.
University of the Potomac - VA Campus came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Business Schools in Virginia ranking. University of the Potomac - VA Campus is a private for-profit institution located in Vienna, Virginia. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 189 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from University of the Potomac - VA Campus accumulate an average of $35,519 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 29% were women.
Christopher Newport University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Business Schools in Virginia ranking. Christopher Newport University is a small public school located in Newport News, Virginia that handed out 189 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $21,991 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $432, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, CNU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $34,456 during the early year of their career. Around 42% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #23, Marymount University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for business students working. Located in Arlington, Virginia, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 183 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Marymount accumulate an average of $28,439 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $541. Once they receive their degree, Marymount graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $54,717 during the early year of their career. Around 56% of those degree recipients were women.
Virginia Western Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for business students. It came in at #24 on the list. Virginia Western Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Roanoke, Virginia. It awarded 155 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $17,770 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Virginia Western Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $32,159 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 55% were women.
Thomas Nelson Community College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Business Schools in Virginia ranking. Hampton, Virginia is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 142 students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,937 in student loans.After graduating from TNCC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $31,974 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 63% were women.
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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