2023 Most Popular Schools in Virginia
There are so many programs in today's world that it can tough to figure out which one is the right one for you. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country. On top of that, there are a considerable number of trade schools and bootcamps that offer fast-track entry to many fields.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Most Popular Schools in Virginia ranking. Our analysis looked at 140 schools in Virginia to see which programs were the most popular for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.
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Most Popular Schools in Virginia
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our analysis found Liberty University to be the most popular school for students in Virginia. Liberty University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Lynchburg, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 24,308 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. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $420 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Liberty University graduates make an average of $40,489 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 59% were women.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend George Mason University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Popular Schools in Virginia list. George Mason University is a large public school located in Fairfax, Virginia that handed out 10,774 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. During the early years of their career, GMU graduates make an average of $56,435 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 58% were women.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Virginia Tech. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Most Popular Schools in Virginia list. Virginia Tech is a large public school located in Blacksburg, Virginia that handed out 10,192 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Virginia Tech accumulate an average of $21,405 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 $420 if they 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. Of those students who received their degree, 46% were women.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northern Virginia Community College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Popular Schools in Virginia list. Northern Virginia Community College is a large public school located in Annandale, Virginia that handed out 8,894 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,809 in student loans. 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, 55% were women.
The programs at University of Virginia - Main Campus helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular schools in Virginia. Located in Charlottesville, Virginia, the large public school handed out 8,698 degrees 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. During the early years of their career, University of Virginia graduates make an average of $58,809 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 54% were women.
With a ranking of #6, Virginia Commonwealth University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. VCU is a large public school situated in Richmond, Virginia. It awarded 7,933 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from VCU accumulate an average of $25,106 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $227, assuming you 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. Around 63% of those degree recipients were women.
James Madison University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in Virginia ranking. JMU is located in Harrisonburg, Virginia and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 5,803 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,564 in student loans. 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. 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 62% of those degree recipients were women.
Old Dominion University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in Virginia ranking. Old Dominion is a large public school situated in Norfolk, Virginia. It awarded 5,429 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. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $199, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Old Dominion, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $46,278 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 60% were women.
ECPI University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #9 on the list. ECPI University is a fairly large private for-profit school situated in Virginia Beach, Virginia. It awarded 4,403 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from ECPI University accumulate an average of $28,707 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 $125 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from ECPI University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $41,263 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 64% were women.
With a ranking of #10, Tidewater Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Norfolk, Virginia is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 3,312 students in 2020-2021.
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, 62% were women.
With a ranking of #11, William & Mary did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. William & Mary is a medium-sized public school located in Williamsburg, Virginia that handed out 3,012 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $18,131 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $447. During the early years of their career, William & Mary graduates make an average of $47,762 annually. Around 55% of those degree recipients were women.
Radford University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #12 on the list. Radford is a medium-sized public school situated in Radford, Virginia. It awarded 2,336 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $25,711 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $240.After graduating from Radford, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $43,099 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 Schools in Virginia list. This fairly large private not-for-profit school is located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and it awarded 2,357 degrees 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. During the early years of their career, Regent graduates make an average of $42,538 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 64% were women.
Germanna Community College ranked #14 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in Virginia list. Germanna Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Locust Grove, Virginia that handed out 1,992 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Germanna Community College accumulate an average of $15,696 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Germanna Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $33,592 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 66% were women.
John Tyler Community College ranked #15 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in Virginia list. John Tyler Community College is located in Chester, Virginia and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,607 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from John Tyler Community College accumulate an average of $17,478 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, John Tyler Community College graduates make an average of $34,207 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 60% were women.
With a ranking of #16, Lord Fairfax Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Located in Middletown, Virginia, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,569 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,242 in student loans.After graduating from Lord Fairfax Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $30,686 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 68% were women.
With a ranking of #17, Reynolds Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Reynolds Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Richmond, Virginia. It awarded 1,423 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 66% of those degree recipients were women.
Strayer University - Virginia ranked #18 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in Virginia list. This small private for-profit school is located in Arlington, Virginia, and it awarded 1,291 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $38,671 in loans while pursuing 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, 61% were women.
With a ranking of #19, Christopher Newport University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Located in Newport News, Virginia, the small public school handed out 1,285 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,991 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $432, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, CNU graduates make an average of $34,456 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 59% were women.
University of Richmond did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #20 on the list. University of Richmond is a small private not-for-profit school located in University of Richmond, Virginia that handed out 1,275 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,430 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $573. Once they receive their degree, URichmond graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $49,274 during the early year of their career. Around 57% of those degree recipients were women.
University of Mary Washington landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. Located in Fredericksburg, Virginia, the small public school handed out 1,268 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from UMW accumulate an average of $21,222 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $371, assuming you 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, 70% were women.
Shenandoah University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in Virginia ranking. Located in Winchester, Virginia, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 1,265 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Shenandoah accumulate an average of $26,751 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 $544 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Shenandoah graduates make an average of $50,739 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 72% were women.
Central Virginia Community College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in Virginia ranking. Central Virginia Community College is a public institution located in Lynchburg, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1,207 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,985 in student loans.After graduating from Central Virginia Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $30,954 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 56% were women.
With a ranking of #24, Virginia Western Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Roanoke, Virginia is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 1,133 students in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $17,770 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Virginia Western Community College graduates make an average of $32,159 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 56% were women.
Piedmont Virginia Community College landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. PVCC is a small public school situated in Charlottesville, Virginia. It awarded 1,112 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $15,419 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, PVCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $39,528 during the early year of their career. Around 65% of those degree recipients were women.
Most Popular Schools in the Southeast Region
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Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our most popular schools ranking:
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 26 | Thomas Nelson Community College | Hampton, VA |
| 27 | Blue Ridge Community College | Weyers Cave, VA |
| 28 | Marymount University | Arlington, VA |
| 29 | University of Lynchburg | Lynchburg, VA |
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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