New data released on the median starting salaries of graduates of public and private colleges and universities in Virginia contained a few surprises. For example, not all grads with degrees from the highly competitive University of Virginia or College of William & Mary — known as “public Ivies” and ranked second and sixth on U.S. News & World Reports’ 2013 rankings of Best Public Schools — made the most money in their respective fields. In fact, graduates of George Mason University in Fairfax were competitive with U.Va., William & Mary and much pricier private schools.