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
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Liberty University the most popular school in Virginia for business students working on their degree. Located in Lynchburg, Virginia, the large private not-for-profit school handed out 4,352 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $30,497 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $420.After graduating from Liberty University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $40,489 during the early years of their career. Around 48% of those degree recipients were women.
A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Virginia Tech is a great place for business students. Virginia Tech is a public institution located in Blacksburg, Virginia. The school has a large population, 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.After graduating from Virginia Tech, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $52,444 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 37% 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. GMU is a large public school situated in Fairfax, Virginia. It awarded 1,883 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $22,883 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $355. During the early years of their career, GMU graduates make an average of $56,435 annually. 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. Located in Charlottesville, Virginia, the large public school awarded 1,641 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,266 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $383, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, University of Virginia graduates make an average of $58,809 annually. Around 40% of those degree recipients were women.
The programs at Northern Virginia Community College helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular business schools in Virginia. Northern Virginia Community College is a public institution located in Annandale, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 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. Once they receive their degree, Northern Virginia Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $37,967 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 52% were women.
Virginia Commonwealth University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Business Schools in Virginia ranking. 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. During the early years of their career, VCU graduates make an average of $47,786 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 47% were women.
Strayer University - Virginia came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Business Schools in Virginia ranking. Strayer University - Virginia is a private for-profit institution located in Arlington, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 923 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Strayer University - Virginia accumulate an average of $38,671 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 $121.After graduating from Strayer University - Virginia, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $52,529 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 66% were women.
James Madison University landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular business programs. This large public school is located in Harrisonburg, Virginia, and it awarded 883 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from JMU accumulate an average of $20,564 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 $394 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, JMU graduates make an average of $46,195 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 40% were women.
William & Mary landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular business programs. Williamsburg, Virginia is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 840 students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,131 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $447.After graduating from William & Mary, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $47,762 during the early years of their career. Around 38% of those degree recipients were women.
Old Dominion University ranked #10 on this year’s Most Popular Business Schools in Virginia list. This large public school is located in Norfolk, Virginia, and it awarded 725 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,724 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $199. Once they receive their degree, Old Dominion graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $46,278 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 45% were women.
University of Richmond did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for business students. It came in at #11 on the list. URichmond is a private not-for-profit institution located in University of Richmond, Virginia. The school has a small population, and 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. Of those students who received their degree, 46% were women.
With a ranking of #12, Tidewater Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for business students working. Tidewater Community College is located in Norfolk, Virginia and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 444 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $17,518 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Tidewater Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $33,302 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 66% were women.
With a ranking of #13, Regent University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for business students working. Regent is located in Virginia Beach, Virginia and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 443 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from Regent accumulate an average of $30,172 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 $239 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Regent graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $42,538 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 60% were women.
University of Management and Technology came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Business Schools in Virginia ranking. University of Management and Technology is a small private for-profit school situated in Arlington, Virginia. It awarded 437 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from University of Management and Technology accumulate an average of $21,870 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, University of Management and Technology graduates make an average of $60,399 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 41% were women.
ECPI University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Business Schools in Virginia ranking. 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.
On average, students take out $28,707 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $125. During the early years of their career, ECPI University graduates make an average of $41,263 annually. Around 54% of those degree recipients were women.
Radford University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Business Schools in Virginia ranking. Radford University is a medium-sized public school located in Radford, Virginia that handed out 286 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Radford accumulate an average of $25,711 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $240, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Radford graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $43,099 during the early year of their career. Around 37% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #17, Washington and Lee University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for business students working. Located in Lexington, Virginia, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 216 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Washington and Lee accumulate an average of $19,229 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 $838.After graduating from Washington and Lee, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $54,673 during the early years of their career. Around 34% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #18, Hampton University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for business students working. Hampton University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Hampton, Virginia that handed out 210 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $25,260 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $825, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Hampton, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $43,239 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 63% were women.
Reynolds Community College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Business Schools in Virginia ranking. Reynolds Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Richmond, Virginia that 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. During the early years of their career, Reynolds Community College graduates make an average of $35,589 annually. 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.
Degree recipients from UMW accumulate an average of $21,222 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 $371. 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 ranked #21 on this year’s Most Popular Business Schools in Virginia list. University of the Potomac - VA Campus is a very small private for-profit school situated in Vienna, Virginia. It awarded 189 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $35,519 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 29% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #21, Christopher Newport University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for business students working. Located in Newport News, Virginia, the small public school awarded 189 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from CNU accumulate an average of $21,991 in student debt by the time they complete 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.After graduating from CNU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $34,456 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 42% were women.
Marymount University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for business students. It came in at #23 on the list. Located in Arlington, Virginia, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 183 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,439 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $541, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Marymount graduates make an average of $54,717 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 56% were women.
Virginia Western Community College ranked #24 on this year’s Most Popular Business Schools in Virginia list. Virginia Western Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Roanoke, Virginia that handed out 155 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,770 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Virginia Western Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $32,159 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 55% were women.
Thomas Nelson Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for business students. It came in at #25 on the list. Located in Hampton, Virginia, the medium-sized public school awarded 142 diplomas to qualifed 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. Once they receive their degree, TNCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $31,974 during the early year 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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