2026 Best Value Health Professions Schools in Virginia
[Health Professions](/majors/health-care-professions/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong health professions education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 99 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for health professions students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Health Professions Schools in Virginia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in health professions, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Health Professions Schools
For return on investment in health professions, no school beat J Sargeant Reynolds Community College this year. Set in the suburb of Richmond, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, with out-of-state students paying around $11,718. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $19,857. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from J Sargeant Reynolds Community College generally make around $57,902. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Virginia Highlands Community College one of the best values for health professions. Set in the suburb of Abingdon, Virginia Highlands Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,022, compared with $11,460 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,480 to complete the health professions program here. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Virginia Highlands Community College generally make around $64,742. That is a strong return on a $9,480 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wytheville Community College earned it the #3 place for health professions. Wytheville Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wytheville. In-state tuition and fees average $5,007, compared with $11,445 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $10,647. Health Professions graduates of Wytheville Community College earn a median of $53,795 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
John Tyler Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. Set in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,082, while out-of-state students pay about $11,520. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $17,101. Health Professions graduates of John Tyler Community College earn a median of $60,890 early in their careers. Set against $17,101 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Virginia Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Central Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,157, compared with $11,595 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,477 to complete the health professions program here. Early-career health professions graduates make about $42,954. That is a strong return on a $10,477 median debt.
Patrick Henry Community College came in at #6 for value in health professions this year. Set in the rural area of Martinsville, Patrick Henry Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,002 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,440 for out-of-state students. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $16,763 in student loans. Early-career health professions graduates make about $65,376. Set against $16,763 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lord Fairfax Community College placed #7 among the best values for health professions. Located in the rural area of Middletown, Lord Fairfax Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,072 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,510 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,763 to complete the health professions program here. Early-career health professions graduates make about $49,521. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Virginia Western Community College placed #8 among the best values for health professions. Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Roanoke. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,400, with out-of-state students paying around $11,838. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $19,442 in student loans. Health Professions graduates of Virginia Western Community College earn a median of $52,390 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Germanna Community College landed the #9 spot for health professions value this year. Germanna Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Locust Grove. Students from in state pay about $5,257 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,648. Students borrow a median of $13,772 to complete the health professions program here. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Germanna Community College generally make around $52,705. That is a strong return on a $13,772 median debt.
Eastern Shore Community College came in at #10 for value in health professions this year. Eastern Shore Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Melfa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,082, while out-of-state students pay about $11,520. Graduates go on to earn a median of $32,418 ten years after entry.
Rappahannock Community College came in at #11 for value in health professions this year. Located in the rural area of Glenns, Rappahannock Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,102, while out-of-state students pay about $11,540. Students borrow a median of $10,953 to complete the health professions program here. Health Professions graduates of Rappahannock Community College earn a median of $69,867 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,953 median debt.
Paul D Camp Community College earned the #12 position for value in health professions this year. Located in the town of Franklin, Paul D Camp Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,012, with out-of-state students paying around $11,450. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $14,506. Health Professions graduates of Paul D Camp Community College earn a median of $68,422 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,506 median debt.
Southside Virginia Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. Southside Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Alberta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,007, with out-of-state students paying around $11,445. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $9,477 in student loans. Health Professions graduates of Southside Virginia Community College earn a median of $57,591 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,477 median debt.
Northern Virginia Community College placed #14 among the best values for health professions. Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Annandale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,891, compared with $12,410 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,265 to complete the health professions program here. Early-career health professions graduates make about $73,344. That is a strong return on a $17,265 median debt.
New River Community College landed the #15 spot for health professions value this year. New River Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Dublin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,979, while out-of-state students pay about $11,417. Students borrow a median of $15,491 to complete the health professions program here. Health Professions graduates of New River Community College earn a median of $62,547 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tidewater Community College landed the #16 spot for health professions value this year. Tidewater Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,858, with out-of-state students paying around $12,296. Students borrow a median of $17,245 to complete the health professions program here. Health Professions graduates of Tidewater Community College earn a median of $50,761 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,245 median debt.
Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave landed the #17 spot for health professions value this year. Set in the rural area of Weyers Cave, Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,646, while out-of-state students pay about $12,084. Students borrow a median of $14,208 to complete the health professions program here. Health Professions graduates of Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave earn a median of $70,005 early in their careers. Set against $14,208 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Thomas Nelson Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. Thomas Nelson Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Hampton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,088, with out-of-state students paying around $11,526. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $14,668. Early-career health professions graduates make about $59,137. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Piedmont Virginia Community College earned the #19 position for value in health professions this year. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, Piedmont Virginia Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,072, while out-of-state students pay about $11,510. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $16,368. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Piedmont Virginia Community College generally make around $52,919. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mountain Empire Community College earned the #20 position for value in health professions this year. Mountain Empire Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Big Stone Gap. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,007, compared with $11,445 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $8,210. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Mountain Empire Community College generally make around $59,325. That is a strong return on a $8,210 median debt.
Dabney S Lancaster Community College placed #21 among the best values for health professions. Dabney S Lancaster Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Clifton Forge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,022, compared with $11,460 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $34,293 ten years after entry.
Danville Community College placed #22 among the best values for health professions. Set in the town of Danville, Danville Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,992 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,430 for out-of-state students. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $11,582 in student loans. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Danville Community College generally make around $51,555. Set against $11,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Old Dominion University placed #23 among the best values for health professions. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,750, with out-of-state students paying around $33,780. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $27,107. Early-career health professions graduates make about $104,976. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
George Mason University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value health professions schools. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,220, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Typical student debt for health professions graduates is $24,957. Early-career health professions graduates make about $87,923. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Southwest Virginia Community College came in at #25 for value in health professions this year. Located in the rural area of Cedar Bluff, Southwest Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,075, with out-of-state students paying around $11,513. Health Professions graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Health Professions graduates of Southwest Virginia Community College earn a median of $48,794 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Health Professions Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for health professions this year:
More Health Professions Rankings
View All Health Professions Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 99 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 49 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.
