2026 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia

1

Patrick Henry Community College
Martinsville, VA

Our analysis ranked Patrick Henry Community College the best value for a degree in liberal arts in Virginia. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $11,440. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $21,360. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Lord Fairfax Community College
Middletown, VA

Lord Fairfax Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts, landing the #2 spot this year. 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. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $8,865 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Lord Fairfax Community College earn a median of $21,827 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Wytheville Community College
Wytheville, VA

Students looking for strong value in liberal arts will find it at Wytheville Community College, which ranked #3. Wytheville Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wytheville. In-state tuition and fees average $5,007, with out-of-state students paying around $11,445. Students borrow a median of $8,438 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Wytheville Community College generally make around $22,162. That is a strong return on a $8,438 median debt.

4

John Tyler Community College
Chester, VA

Students looking for strong value in liberal arts will find it at John Tyler Community College, which ranked #4. John Tyler Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Chester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,082, while out-of-state students pay about $11,520. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $9,055 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $36,623. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Eastern Shore Community College
Melfa, VA

A rank of #5 makes Eastern Shore Community College one of the best values for liberal arts. Located in the rural area of Melfa, Eastern Shore Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $5,082 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,520. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $32,418.

6

Virginia Highlands Community College
Abingdon, VA

Virginia Highlands Community College earned the #6 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the suburb of Abingdon, Virginia Highlands Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,022 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,460 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Virginia Highlands Community College earn a median of $16,365 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Rappahannock Community College
Glenns, VA

Rappahannock Community College earned the #7 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the rural area of Glenns, Rappahannock Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,102, with out-of-state students paying around $11,540. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $6,792. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $24,024. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Central Virginia Community College
Lynchburg, VA

Central Virginia Community College landed the #8 spot for liberal arts value this year. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Central Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,157, compared with $11,595 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $9,758 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Central Virginia Community College generally make around $19,009. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Germanna Community College
Locust Grove, VA

Germanna Community College landed the #9 spot for liberal arts value this year. Set in the rural area of Locust Grove, Germanna Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,257, while out-of-state students pay about $11,648. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $8,227 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Germanna Community College earn a median of $26,563 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

New River Community College
Dublin, VA

New River Community College landed the #10 spot for liberal arts value this year. Located in the town of Dublin, New River Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,979 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,417 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,600 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $25,746. That is a strong return on a $10,600 median debt.

11

Southside Virginia Community College
Alberta, VA

Southside Virginia Community College landed the #11 spot for liberal arts value this year. Southside Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Alberta. 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 liberal arts graduates is $5,500. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $23,346. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.

12

Paul D Camp Community College
Franklin, VA

Paul D Camp Community College placed #12 among the best values for liberal arts. Set in the town of Franklin, Paul D Camp Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,012, while out-of-state students pay about $11,450. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $7,955. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $27,232. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13

Dabney S Lancaster Community College
Clifton Forge, VA

Dabney S Lancaster Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Dabney S Lancaster Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Clifton Forge. Students from in state pay about $5,022 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,460. Median earnings reach $34,293 ten years out.

14

Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave
Weyers Cave, VA

Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave came in at #14 for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the rural area of Weyers Cave, Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,646, compared with $12,084 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,625 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave generally make around $24,029. Set against $8,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

Danville Community College
Danville, VA

Danville Community College earned the #15 position for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the town of Danville, Danville Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,992, with out-of-state students paying around $11,430. Students borrow a median of $9,199 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $28,056. Set against $9,199 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

16

George Mason University
Fairfax, VA

George Mason University landed the #16 spot for liberal arts value this year. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,220 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $41,398. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.

17

Southwest Virginia Community College
Cedar Bluff, VA

Southwest Virginia Community College earned the #17 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the rural area of Cedar Bluff, Southwest Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,075, while out-of-state students pay about $11,513. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Southwest Virginia Community College generally make around $23,756. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.

18

The University Of Virginias College At Wise
Wise, VA

The University Of Virginias College At Wise ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the town of Wise, The University Of Virginias College At Wise is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,780, with out-of-state students paying around $28,010. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $17,714 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of The University Of Virginias College At Wise earn a median of $43,988 early in their careers. Set against $17,714 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 28% of applicants are accepted.

19

Mountain Empire Community College
Big Stone Gap, VA

Mountain Empire Community College placed #19 among the best values for liberal arts. Set in the town of Big Stone Gap, Mountain Empire Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,007, while out-of-state students pay about $11,445. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $9,384. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $18,017. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.

20

Mary Baldwin College
Staunton, VA

Mary Baldwin College earned the #20 position for value in liberal arts this year. Mary Baldwin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Staunton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,187. Students borrow a median of $27,089 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Mary Baldwin College generally make around $40,887. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

21

Bridgewater College
Bridgewater, VA

Bridgewater College came in at #21 for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $16,090 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Bridgewater College generally make around $46,820. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.

22

Longwood University
Farmville, VA

Longwood University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the town of Farmville, Longwood University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,740 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,980. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $25,375 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Longwood University generally make around $46,714. Set against $25,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Longwood University admits about 90% of applicants.

23

University Of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, VA

University Of Mary Washington came in at #23 for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the suburb of Fredericksburg, University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,905, with out-of-state students paying around $28,083. Students borrow a median of $22,354 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $37,677. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.

24

James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University came in at #24 for value in liberal arts this year. James Madison University is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,966, while out-of-state students pay about $31,312. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $23,250. Liberal Arts graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $49,408 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

25

University Of Virginia Main Campus
Charlottesville, VA

University Of Virginia Main Campus placed #25 among the best values for liberal arts. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $23,118, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $18,627. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $69,126. That is a strong return on a $18,627 median debt. Roughly 17% of applicants are accepted.