2026 Best Graduate Degrees Schools in Virginia
Looking for the best Graduate Degrees degree programs in Virginia? Our ranking highlights 147 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Grad Degree evaluated 106 schools to build this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Graduate Degrees Degree Schools in Virginia
Explore the leading schools below:
University Of Virginia Main Campus tops our 2026 ranking of the best Graduate Degrees degree schools in Virginia. Based in Charlottesville, VA, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $18,627. See the full University Of Virginia Main Campus profile
University Of Management And Technology came in at #2 on this year's Graduate Degrees ranking in Virginia. Set in Arlington, VA, University Of Management And Technology is a private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,450. Get the full University Of Management And Technology report
Out of the 106 schools in Virginia in this year's ranking, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University landed the #3 spot. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public school based in Blacksburg, VA. About 86% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $15,948, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Graduates carry a median of $23,393 in student loans. Read the full report on Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Out of the 106 schools in Virginia in this year's ranking, College Of William And Mary landed the #4 spot. Set in Williamsburg, VA, College Of William And Mary is a public institution. College Of William And Mary graduates 89% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,734, with out-of-state students paying around $51,038. Graduates carry a median of $18,935 in student loans. Read the full report on College Of William And Mary
You'll be in good company at James Madison University, which ranked #5 this year. Set in Harrisonburg, VA, James Madison University is a public institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,966, compared with $31,312 for out-of-state students. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $21,218. See the full James Madison University profile
George Mason University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Set in Fairfax, VA, George Mason University is a public institution. George Mason University graduates 68% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,220, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. George Mason University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $23,529 in debt. Read more about George Mason University
Christopher Newport University placed #7 among Graduate Degrees schools in Virginia. Set in Newport News, VA, Christopher Newport University is a public institution. About 72% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $16,828, with out-of-state students paying around $31,178. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $25,094. Read more about Christopher Newport University
Shenandoah University came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Based in Winchester, VA, Shenandoah University is a private not-for-profit institution. Shenandoah University graduates 66% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $36,950 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $26,005 in student loans. Read more about Shenandoah University
Eastern Mennonite University placed #9 among Graduate Degrees schools in Virginia. Set in Harrisonburg, VA, Eastern Mennonite University is a private not-for-profit institution. Eastern Mennonite University posts a six-year graduation rate of 67%. In-state tuition and fees run about $43,920. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $25,415. Get the full Eastern Mennonite University report
University Of Richmond ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Based in University of Richmond, VA, University Of Richmond is a private not-for-profit institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,230. Students borrow a median of $21,634 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Get the full University Of Richmond report
Lynchburg College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Based in Lynchburg, VA, Lynchburg College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,750. More on Lynchburg College
Radford University did well this year, earning the #12 position. Radford University is a public school based in Radford, VA. About 49% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,548, with out-of-state students paying around $25,633. Graduates carry a median of $25,514 in student loans. Read the full report on Radford University
Virginia Commonwealth University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Based in Richmond, VA, Virginia Commonwealth University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. In-state tuition and fees run about $16,720, compared with $39,884 for out-of-state students. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $23,813. Get the full Virginia Commonwealth University report
University Of Mary Washington did well this year, earning the #14 position. Set in Fredericksburg, VA, University Of Mary Washington is a public institution. University Of Mary Washington posts a six-year graduation rate of 66%. In-state tuition and fees average $14,905, compared with $28,083 for out-of-state students. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $22,825. Get the full University Of Mary Washington report
Marymount University landed the #15 spot in Virginia this year. Based in Arlington, VA, Marymount University is a private not-for-profit institution. Marymount University graduates 54% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,120. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $26,880. More on Marymount University
Old Dominion University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Located in Norfolk, VA, Old Dominion University is a public institution. About 46% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,750, with out-of-state students paying around $33,780. Students borrow a median of $26,001 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. More on Old Dominion University
Bridgewater College came in at #17 in this year's ranking. Located in Bridgewater, VA, Bridgewater College is a private not-for-profit institution. Bridgewater College graduates 53% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,090. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $26,423. More on Bridgewater College
Longwood University placed #18 among Graduate Degrees schools in Virginia. Based in Farmville, VA, Longwood University is a public institution. Longwood University graduates 61% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,740, while out-of-state students pay about $27,980. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $25,649. More on Longwood University
Hampton University landed the #19 spot in Virginia this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Hampton, VA. About 57% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,592. Students borrow a median of $26,169 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Get the full Hampton University report
Bluefield College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Bluefield, VA. Bluefield College posts a six-year graduation rate of 18%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,770. Graduates carry a median of $24,780 in student loans. Read the full report on Bluefield College
Mary Baldwin College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Mary Baldwin College is a private not-for-profit school based in Staunton, VA. Roughly 39% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $21,187. Mary Baldwin College Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $29,562 in debt. More on Mary Baldwin College
Liberty University landed the #22 spot in Virginia this year. Based in Lynchburg, VA, Liberty University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,173. Students borrow a median of $27,414 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. More on Liberty University
Virginia State University did well this year, earning the #23 position. Based in Petersburg, VA, Virginia State University is a public institution. Virginia State University graduates 39% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,043, while out-of-state students pay about $22,650. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $29,010. Get the full Virginia State University report
Norfolk State University landed the #24 spot in Virginia this year. Based in Norfolk, VA, Norfolk State University is a public institution. Norfolk State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 39%. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,180, compared with $21,682 for out-of-state students. Get the full Norfolk State University report
Regent University did well this year, earning the #25 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Virginia Beach, VA. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,650. Regent University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $29,451 in debt. Get the full Regent University report
Rest of the Top 50 Best Graduate Degrees Degree Schools in Virginia
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
South Universityvirginia Beach placed #26 among Graduate Degrees schools in Virginia. This private for-profit school is set in Virginia Beach, VA. South Universityvirginia Beach graduates 10% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $17,895. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $48,920. Get the full South Universityvirginia Beach report
Ecpi University did well this year, earning the #27 position. This private for-profit school is set in Virginia Beach, VA. About 28% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,484. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $27,988. More on Ecpi University
Strayer University Virginia landed the #28 spot in Virginia this year. Based in Arlington, VA, Strayer University Virginia is a private for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 19%. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,920. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $45,932. Read the full report on Strayer University Virginia
Averett University came in at #30 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Danville, VA. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,550. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $28,595. See the full Averett University profile
Virginia Beach Theological Seminary placed #30 among Graduate Degrees schools in Virginia. Read the full report on Virginia Beach Theological Seminary
Randolph Macon College landed the #31 spot in Virginia this year. More on Randolph Macon College
Advanced Technology Institute came in at #32 in this year's ranking. More on Advanced Technology Institute
Dabney S Lancaster Community College ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Read more about Dabney S Lancaster Community College
John Tyler Community College came in at #34 in this year's ranking. Get the full John Tyler Community College report
Staunton School Of Cosmetology did well this year, earning the #35 position. Read more about Staunton School Of Cosmetology
Paul Mitchell The School Woodbridge ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Read more about Paul Mitchell The School Woodbridge
Career Training Solutions came in at #37 in this year's ranking. See the full Career Training Solutions profile
Empire Beauty School Richmond ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. More on Empire Beauty School Richmond
Aviation Institute Of Maintenance Manassas placed #39 among Graduate Degrees schools in Virginia. More on Aviation Institute Of Maintenance Manassas
New River Community College placed #40 among Graduate Degrees schools in Virginia. Read more about New River Community College
Centura College Norfolk ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Read the full report on Centura College Norfolk
Edward Via College Of Osteopathic Medicine came in at #42 in this year's ranking. See the full Edward Via College Of Osteopathic Medicine profile
Southwest Virginia Community College ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Get the full Southwest Virginia Community College report
Virginia Wesleyan College landed the #44 spot in Virginia this year. See the full Virginia Wesleyan College profile
Mountain Empire Community College placed #45 among Graduate Degrees schools in Virginia. See the full Mountain Empire Community College profile
Germanna Community College landed the #46 spot in Virginia this year. Read more about Germanna Community College
Virginia School Of Hair Design ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Read the full report on Virginia School Of Hair Design
Richard Bland College Of The College Of William And Mary landed the #48 spot in Virginia this year. Get the full Richard Bland College Of The College Of William And Mary report
The University Of Virginias College At Wise came in at #49 in this year's ranking. More on The University Of Virginias College At Wise
Union Presbyterian Seminary placed #50 among Graduate Degrees schools in Virginia. Read the full report on Union Presbyterian Seminary
More Graduate Degrees Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Grad Degree (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: State · 106 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 147 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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