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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best General Education Schools in Virginia

5 Colleges in the United States
833 General Education Degrees Awarded
$60,099 Avg Early-Career Salary

General Education degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their general education programs.

College Factual analyzed 29 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best general education schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for General Education in Virginia

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall general education education in Virginia.

Top Schools in General Education

1

George Mason University tops our 2026 ranking of the best general education schools. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 37 general education students who graduated with this degree at George Mason University in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $89,993 early in their careers. George Mason University graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. See the full general education program report for George Mason University

2
James Madison University crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general education, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. James Madison University awarded about 143 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general education program make about $55,195 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,218. Read more about the general education program at James Madison University

3

University Of Virginia Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general education, ranking #3. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates 96% of students within six years. About 109 general education degrees were awarded at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their general education degree from University Of Virginia Main Campus earn around $72,080 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,627 to complete this degree. Get the full general education details for University Of Virginia Main Campus

4
Lynchburg College crest
Lynchburg College
Lynchburg, VA

Students looking for a strong general education program will find one at Lynchburg College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Lynchburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. Lynchburg College awarded about 15 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general education degree from Lynchburg College earn around $107,159 in the first couple years of their career. See the full general education program report for Lynchburg College

5
University Of Mary Washington crest
University Of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, VA

A rank of #5 makes University Of Mary Washington one of the top schools for general education. University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Fredericksburg. About 66% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 27 general education students who graduated with this degree at University Of Mary Washington in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general education degree from University Of Mary Washington earn around $53,665 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,825. See the full general education program report for University Of Mary Washington

6

Northern Virginia Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. Set in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public institution. Northern Virginia Community College awarded about 39 general education degrees in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of Northern Virginia Community College earn a median of $40,126 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,413. More information about a degree in general education from Northern Virginia Community College

7

Virginia Commonwealth University placed #7 among the best general education schools. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 71 general education students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Commonwealth University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general education program make about $65,654 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,813 to complete this degree. Read more about the general education program at Virginia Commonwealth University

8
Longwood University crest
Longwood University
Farmville, VA

Longwood University earned the #8 position for general education this year. Set in the town of Farmville, Longwood University is a moderately-sized public institution. Longwood University graduates 61% of students within six years. There were roughly 40 general education students who graduated with this degree at Longwood University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Longwood University generally make around $53,052. Longwood University graduates carry a median of $25,649 in student loans. More information about a degree in general education from Longwood University

9
Virginia Wesleyan College crest
Virginia Wesleyan College
Virginia Beach, VA

Virginia Wesleyan College landed the #9 spot for general education this year. Virginia Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach. Roughly 42% of students complete a degree within six years here. Virginia Wesleyan College awarded about 10 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general education degree from Virginia Wesleyan College earn around $45,517 in the first couple years of their career. Virginia Wesleyan College graduates carry a median of $27,925 in student loans. More information about a degree in general education from Virginia Wesleyan College

10
Shenandoah University crest
Shenandoah University
Winchester, VA

Shenandoah University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best general education schools. Set in the city of Winchester, Shenandoah University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. There were roughly 12 general education students who graduated with this degree at Shenandoah University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Shenandoah University generally make around $65,767. Students borrow a median of $26,005 to complete this degree. Read more about the general education program at Shenandoah University

11
Radford University crest
Radford University
Radford, VA

Radford University placed #11 among the best general education schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Radford. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. About 29 general education degrees were awarded at Radford University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general education program make about $48,802 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,514. See the full general education program report for Radford University

12

Piedmont Virginia Community College earned the #12 position for general education this year. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, Piedmont Virginia Community College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 17 general education students who graduated with this degree at Piedmont Virginia Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Piedmont Virginia Community College generally make around $46,129. Piedmont Virginia Community College graduates carry a median of $12,495 in student loans. Get the full general education details for Piedmont Virginia Community College

13
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University placed #13 among the best general education schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Lynchburg. Liberty University graduates 67% of students within six years. About 284 general education degrees were awarded at Liberty University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general education degree from Liberty University earn around $38,144 in the first couple years of their career. Liberty University graduates carry a median of $42,160 in student loans. Read more about the general education program at Liberty University

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 29 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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