2026 Best Value Education Schools in Virginia

1

John Tyler Community College
Chester, VA

John Tyler Community College earned the #1 spot for value among education schools in Virginia. Set in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,082, compared with $11,520 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,262 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from John Tyler Community College generally make around $36,623. That is a strong return on a $11,262 median debt.

2

Tidewater Community College
Norfolk, VA

Tidewater Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,858 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,296 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Tidewater Community College earn a median of $23,117 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Northern Virginia Community College
Annandale, VA

Northern Virginia Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in education, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,891, while out-of-state students pay about $12,410. Typical student debt for education graduates is $14,413. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Northern Virginia Community College generally make around $40,126. That is a strong return on a $14,413 median debt.

4

Piedmont Virginia Community College
Charlottesville, VA

A rank of #4 makes Piedmont Virginia Community College one of the best values for education. Piedmont Virginia Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,072, compared with $11,510 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $12,495 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $46,129. Set against $12,495 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

George Mason University
Fairfax, VA

A rank of #5 makes George Mason University one of the best values for education. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,220, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $60,141. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

6

Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA

Old Dominion University placed #6 among the best values for education. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,750, with out-of-state students paying around $33,780. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Old Dominion University generally make around $49,571. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

7

Norfolk State University
Norfolk, VA

Norfolk State University landed the #7 spot for education value this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Norfolk State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,180 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,682 for out-of-state students. Early-career education graduates make about $51,920. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

8

Radford University
Radford, VA

Radford University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Located in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,548 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,633. Education graduates carry a median of $25,523 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Radford University generally make around $37,622. Set against $25,523 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Radford University admits about 90% of applicants.

9

Mary Baldwin College
Staunton, VA

Mary Baldwin College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the city of Staunton, Mary Baldwin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $21,187 in tuition and fees. Education graduates carry a median of $29,562 in student loans. Education graduates of Mary Baldwin College earn a median of $50,008 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA

Virginia Commonwealth University landed the #10 spot for education value this year. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,720, while out-of-state students pay about $39,884. Typical student debt for education graduates is $26,901. Early-career education graduates make about $37,269. Set against $26,901 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

11

Virginia State University
Petersburg, VA

Virginia State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Located in the suburb of Petersburg, Virginia State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,043, with out-of-state students paying around $22,650. Students borrow a median of $30,000 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $31,559. Set against $30,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.

12

Lynchburg College
Lynchburg, VA

Lynchburg College landed the #12 spot for education value this year. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Lynchburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,750. Education graduates of Lynchburg College earn a median of $107,159 early in their careers. Lynchburg College admits about 43% of applicants.

13

Regent University
Virginia Beach, VA

Regent University earned the #13 position for value in education this year. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,650. Students borrow a median of $24,206 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $54,823. That is a strong return on a $24,206 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.

14

Virginia Wesleyan College
Virginia Beach, VA

Virginia Wesleyan College earned the #14 position for value in education this year. Virginia Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $37,500. Education graduates carry a median of $27,925 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $45,517. Set against $27,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.

15

James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University came in at #15 for value in education this year. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,966 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,312. Students borrow a median of $21,218 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $55,866 early in their careers. Set against $21,218 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. James Madison University admits about 72% of applicants.

16

Longwood University
Farmville, VA

Longwood University landed the #16 spot for education value this year. Longwood University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Farmville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,740, compared with $27,980 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $25,649 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Longwood University generally make around $53,792. Set against $25,649 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

17

University Of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, VA

University Of Mary Washington placed #17 among the best values for education. University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Fredericksburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,905, while out-of-state students pay about $28,083. Students borrow a median of $22,825 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $53,039. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Mary Washington admits about 80% of applicants.

18

Emory And Henry College
Emory, VA

Emory And Henry College earned the #18 position for value in education this year. Emory And Henry College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Emory. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,000. Students borrow a median of $26,938 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $47,255. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

19

Christopher Newport University
Newport News, VA

Christopher Newport University came in at #19 for value in education this year. Located in the city of Newport News, Christopher Newport University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,828, compared with $31,178 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,094 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Christopher Newport University generally make around $54,123. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Christopher Newport University admits about 86% of applicants.

20

College Of William And Mary
Williamsburg, VA

College Of William And Mary came in at #20 for value in education this year. College Of William And Mary is a large public school located in the suburb of Williamsburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,734, with out-of-state students paying around $51,038. Students borrow a median of $18,935 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $75,985. That is a strong return on a $18,935 median debt. College Of William And Mary admits about 34% of applicants.

21

University Of Virginia Main Campus
Charlottesville, VA

University Of Virginia Main Campus earned the #21 position for value in education this year. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. In-state tuition and fees average $23,118, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,627 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $60,179. Set against $18,627 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Virginia Main Campus admits about 17% of applicants.

22

Ferrum College
Ferrum, VA

Ferrum College landed the #22 spot for education value this year. Located in the rural area of Ferrum, Ferrum College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $28,380. Typical student debt for education graduates is $31,000. Early-career education graduates make about $29,100. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

23

Hollins University
Roanoke, VA

Hollins University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Hollins University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Roanoke. Students from in state pay about $43,560 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $26,798. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Hollins University admits about 68% of applicants.

24

Averett University
Danville, VA

Averett University landed the #24 spot for education value this year. Located in the town of Danville, Averett University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $38,550 in tuition and fees. Education graduates carry a median of $28,595 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $61,042. Set against $28,595 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.

25

Eastern Mennonite University
Harrisonburg, VA

Eastern Mennonite University came in at #25 for value in education this year. Eastern Mennonite University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Harrisonburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $43,920. Typical student debt for education graduates is $25,415. Early-career education graduates make about $52,222. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.