2026 Best Value Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic) Schools in Virginia
[Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic)](/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-professions/emergency-medical-technology-technician-emt-paramedic/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 23 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic) Schools in Virginia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic), balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic) Schools
For return on investment in emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic), no school beat J Sargeant Reynolds Community College this year. J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Richmond. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, compared with $11,718 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,843 to complete the emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) program here. Early-career emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) graduates make about $61,104. Set against $15,843 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Virginia Highlands Community College earned it the #2 place for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic). Set in the suburb of Abingdon, Virginia Highlands Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,022 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,460 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) graduates is $9,500. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates of Virginia Highlands Community College earn a median of $62,422 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Virginia Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic), landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Central Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,157, with out-of-state students paying around $11,595. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates carry a median of $12,169 in student loans. Early-career emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) graduates make about $42,954. Set against $12,169 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rappahannock Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic), landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Glenns, Rappahannock Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,102, compared with $11,540 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,997 to complete the emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) program here. Soon after graduation, emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) degree recipients from Rappahannock Community College generally make around $43,398. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) will find it at Virginia Western Community College, which ranked #5. Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Roanoke. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,400, while out-of-state students pay about $11,838. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) program here. Soon after graduation, emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) degree recipients from Virginia Western Community College generally make around $54,480. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Lord Fairfax Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) schools. Set in the rural area of Middletown, Lord Fairfax Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,072 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,510 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) graduates is $9,075. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates of Lord Fairfax Community College earn a median of $36,165 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Germanna Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) schools. Set in the rural area of Locust Grove, Germanna Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,257, compared with $11,648 for out-of-state students. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) degree recipients from Germanna Community College generally make around $47,882. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southside Virginia Community College earned the #8 position for value in emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) this year. Set in the rural area of Alberta, Southside Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,007, while out-of-state students pay about $11,445. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates carry a median of $7,467 in student loans. Soon after graduation, emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) degree recipients from Southside Virginia Community College generally make around $29,666. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
New River Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) schools. Set in the town of Dublin, New River Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,979 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,417. Typical student debt for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) graduates is $13,132. Early-career emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) graduates make about $46,892. That is a strong return on a $13,132 median debt.
Dabney S Lancaster Community College landed the #10 spot for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) value this year. Set in the rural area of Clifton Forge, Dabney S Lancaster Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,022, while out-of-state students pay about $11,460. Median earnings reach $34,293 ten years out.
Piedmont Virginia Community College came in at #11 for value in emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $11,510. Typical student debt for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) graduates is $11,735. Early-career emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) graduates make about $46,170. That is a strong return on a $11,735 median debt.
Thomas Nelson Community College came in at #12 for value in emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) this year. Set in the suburb of Hampton, Thomas Nelson Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,088 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,526 for out-of-state students. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates carry a median of $14,402 in student loans. Soon after graduation, emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) degree recipients from Thomas Nelson Community College generally make around $36,758. Set against $14,402 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Danville Community College placed #13 among the best values for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic). Set in the town of Danville, Danville Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,992, compared with $11,430 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,494 to complete the emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) program here. Soon after graduation, emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) degree recipients from Danville Community College generally make around $44,922. Set against $9,494 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mountain Empire Community College landed the #14 spot for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) value this year. Located in the town of Big Stone Gap, Mountain Empire Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,007 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,445 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) graduates is $9,036. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates of Mountain Empire Community College earn a median of $58,346 early in their careers. Set against $9,036 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tidewater Community College came in at #15 for value in emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) this year. Tidewater Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,858, while out-of-state students pay about $12,296. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates carry a median of $12,109 in student loans. Early-career emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) graduates make about $52,548. That is a strong return on a $12,109 median debt.
Northern Virginia Community College landed the #16 spot for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) value 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, with out-of-state students paying around $12,410. Students borrow a median of $13,437 to complete the emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) program here. Soon after graduation, emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) degree recipients from Northern Virginia Community College generally make around $74,050. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave earned the #17 position for value in emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) this year. Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Weyers Cave. Students from in state pay about $5,646 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,084. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates carry a median of $11,768 in student loans. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates of Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave earn a median of $40,020 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwest Virginia Community College placed #18 among the best values for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic). Southwest Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Cedar Bluff. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,075, while out-of-state students pay about $11,513. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) program here. Early-career emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) graduates make about $32,277. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Radford University earned the #19 position for value in emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) this year. Radford University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Radford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,548, while out-of-state students pay about $25,633. Typical student debt for emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) graduates is $25,250. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates of Radford University earn a median of $83,490 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Ecpi University came in at #20 for value in emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) this year. Ecpi University is a large private for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,484. Emergency Medical Technology/technician (Emt Paramedic) graduates carry a median of $27,242 in student loans. Soon after graduation, emergency medical technology/technician (emt paramedic) degree recipients from Ecpi University generally make around $60,365. Set against $27,242 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
More Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic) Rankings
View All Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic) Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
