2026 Best Value General Education Schools in Virginia

1

Piedmont Virginia Community College
Charlottesville, VA

Piedmont Virginia Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value general education schools in Virginia. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, Piedmont Virginia Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,072 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,510. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $12,495. Early-career general education graduates make about $46,129. Set against $12,495 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Northern Virginia Community College
Annandale, VA

Northern Virginia Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general education, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,891, compared with $12,410 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $14,413. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Northern Virginia Community College generally make around $40,126. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

George Mason University
Fairfax, VA

George Mason University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,220, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $89,993. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.

4

Radford University
Radford, VA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Radford University earned it the #4 place for general education. Set in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,548, while out-of-state students pay about $25,633. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $25,514. Early-career general education graduates make about $48,802. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

5

Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Virginia Commonwealth University earned it the #5 place for general education. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,720 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $39,884. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $23,813. General Education graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $65,654 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,813 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.

6

Lynchburg College
Lynchburg, VA

Lynchburg College placed #6 among the best values for general education. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Lynchburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,750. General Education graduates of Lynchburg College earn a median of $107,159 early in their careers. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.

7

Virginia Wesleyan College
Virginia Beach, VA

Virginia Wesleyan College landed the #7 spot for general education value this year. Virginia Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,500. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $27,925. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Virginia Wesleyan College generally make around $45,517. Set against $27,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.

8

Longwood University
Farmville, VA

Longwood University came in at #8 for value in general education this year. Located in the town of Farmville, Longwood University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,740, with out-of-state students paying around $27,980. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $25,649. Early-career general education graduates make about $53,052. Set against $25,649 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

9

University Of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, VA

University Of Mary Washington came in at #9 for value in general education this year. Located in the suburb of Fredericksburg, University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,905, compared with $28,083 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,825 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $53,665. Set against $22,825 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Mary Washington admits about 80% of applicants.

10

James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University placed #10 among the best values for general education. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,966 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,312 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $21,218 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $55,195. Set against $21,218 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

11

University Of Virginia Main Campus
Charlottesville, VA

University Of Virginia Main Campus ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. General Education graduates carry a median of $18,627 in student loans. General Education graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $72,080 early in their careers. Set against $18,627 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Virginia Main Campus admits about 17% of applicants.

12

Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University landed the #12 spot for general education value this year. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,173. Students borrow a median of $42,160 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Liberty University earn a median of $38,144 early in their careers. Set against $42,160 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.

13

Shenandoah University
Winchester, VA

Shenandoah University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the city of Winchester, Shenandoah University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $36,950. General Education graduates carry a median of $26,005 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Shenandoah University generally make around $65,767. Set against $26,005 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.