Virginia, DC Colleges Whose Grads Make The Most Money

While the University of Virginia has an historic pedigree and prestige comes with a diploma from the school, you might be surprised to learn that if you're looking for a university that produces top-earning new grads, the University of Virginia isn't No. 1. In fact, you can make more money by going elsewhere in Virginia or Washington, D.C. The U.S. Department of Education offers a College Scorecard that provides would-be attendees many of the resources they need in deciding where to apply and, ultimately, where to attend.

Below is a list of schools in Virginia and DC, ranked top to bottom, whose graduates make the most money after leaving. The numbers are based on the average earnings of students 10 years after they enrolled. (SIGN UP: Subscribe to a Virginia Patch News Alert and Newsletter. For DC readers, Get Patch’s daily newsletter and news alerts. Or like us on Facebook. Or, if you have an iPhone, download the free Patch app.)

Federal officials say the College Scorecard is intended to be a resource for choosing colleges, helping students to broaden their college search and compare their top-choice schools. "By using the College Scorecard to
compare costs and outcomes with their future degrees, students are better equipped to make these critical life decisions," according to the site.

The website also provides each school's annual average cost and its graduation rates. The site allows you to sort the colleges to determine who leads and trails in each of these categories. If you click on a school, you'll also get additional information on the school's population and SAT and ACT scores.

Here are the top 20 Virginia schools and their earning potential:

1. Washington and Lee University, Lexington, $72,900
2. Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing, Richmond, $60,900
3. University of Virginia-Main Campus, Charlottesville, $60,100
4. University of Richmond, $59,900
5. Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, $59,200
6. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, $59,000
7. George Mason University, Fairfax, $57,300
8. University of the Potomac-VA Campus, Vienna, $56,400
9. College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, $55,000
10. Chamberlain College of Nursing-Virginia, Arlington, $52,600
11. James Madison University, Harrisonburg, $52,600
12. Riverside College of Health Careers, Newport News, $52,500
13. Jefferson College of Health Sciences, Roanoke, $52,300
14. Southside Regional Medical Center Professional Schools, Colonial Heights, $51,400
15. Marymount University, Arlington, $49,900
16. Hampden-Sydney College, $49,700
17. Sentara College of Health Sciences, Chesapeake, $49,600
18. Strayer University-Virginia, Arlington, $49,200
19. University of Mary Washington, Fredericksburg, $48,500
20. Randolph-Macon College, Ashland, $44,700

Here are the top DC schools and their earning potential:

1. Georgetown University, $84,000
2. George Washington University, $65,400
3. University of the Potomac-Washington DC Campus, $56,400
4. American University, $55,900
5. Catholic University of America, $53,900
6. University of Phoenix-Washington DC, $51,100
7. Strayer University-Global Region, $49,200
8. Strayer University-District of Columbia, $49,200
9. Howard University, $46,000
10. Trinity Washington University, $40,700
11. University of the District of Columbia, $34,800
12. Gallaudet University, $26,000

Click here to find the full list of DC and Virginia colleges and more information from College Scorecard

— Includes reporting by Patch Editor Tom Davis
Patch file photo