2026 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Virginia
[Liberal Arts General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 52 schools to find the best return on investment for liberal arts general studies students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Virginia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in liberal arts general studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
For return on investment in liberal arts general studies, no school beat Patrick Henry Community College this year. Located in the rural area of Martinsville, Patrick Henry Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,002, with out-of-state students paying around $11,440. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,250. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $21,360. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts general studies will find it at J Sargeant Reynolds Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Richmond, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,280, with out-of-state students paying around $11,718. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $9,125. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of J Sargeant Reynolds Community College earn a median of $27,924 early in their careers. Set against $9,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lord Fairfax Community College earned it the #3 place for liberal arts general studies. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $11,510. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,865. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Lord Fairfax Community College earn a median of $21,827 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,865 median debt.
Wytheville Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the town of Wytheville, Wytheville Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,007, while out-of-state students pay about $11,445. Students borrow a median of $8,438 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Wytheville Community College earn a median of $22,162 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,438 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at John Tyler Community College earned it the #5 place for liberal arts general studies. Located in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,082, while out-of-state students pay about $11,520. Students borrow a median of $9,055 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from John Tyler Community College generally make around $25,346. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Shore Community College placed #6 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. 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. Median earnings reach $32,418 ten years out.
Rappahannock Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the rural area of Glenns, Rappahannock Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,102, while out-of-state students pay about $11,540. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $6,792. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Rappahannock Community College generally make around $24,024. That is a strong return on a $6,792 median debt.
Virginia Highlands Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $11,460. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $16,365. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Germanna Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the rural area of Locust Grove, Germanna Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,257, with out-of-state students paying around $11,648. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,227 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Germanna Community College generally make around $26,563. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Virginia Community College landed the #10 spot for liberal arts general studies 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, with out-of-state students paying around $11,595. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,758 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $19,009. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Virginia Western Community College placed #11 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the city of Roanoke, Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,400, while out-of-state students pay about $11,838. Students borrow a median of $10,988 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Virginia Western Community College earn a median of $22,382 early in their careers. Set against $10,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New River Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. New River Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Dublin. Students from in state pay about $4,979 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,417 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,600 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of New River Community College earn a median of $25,746 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southside Virginia Community College landed the #13 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the rural area of Alberta, Southside Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,007 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,445. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Southside Virginia Community College earn a median of $23,346 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Paul D Camp Community College came in at #14 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the town of Franklin, Paul D Camp Community College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,012, with out-of-state students paying around $11,450. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $7,955 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Paul D Camp Community College earn a median of $27,232 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Virginia Community College landed the #15 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,891, while out-of-state students pay about $12,410. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,875 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Northern Virginia Community College earn a median of $28,249 early in their careers. Set against $10,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Dabney S Lancaster Community College earned the #16 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. 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, compared with $11,460 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $34,293 ten years out.
Piedmont Virginia Community College landed the #17 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Piedmont Virginia Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,072, with out-of-state students paying around $11,510. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,325 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Piedmont Virginia Community College generally make around $29,027. Set against $9,325 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Thomas Nelson Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the suburb of Hampton, Thomas Nelson Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,088, with out-of-state students paying around $11,526. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,165 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $31,228. That is a strong return on a $8,165 median debt.
Tidewater Community College landed the #19 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a very large public institution. 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 $12,971 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $29,491. Set against $12,971 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave landed the #20 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the rural area of Weyers Cave, Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,646 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,084. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,625. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave earn a median of $24,029 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Danville Community College earned the #21 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the town of Danville, Danville Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,992, with out-of-state students paying around $11,430. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $9,199. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $28,056. Set against $9,199 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mountain Empire Community College landed the #22 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the town of Big Stone Gap, Mountain Empire Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,007, with out-of-state students paying around $11,445. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Mountain Empire Community College earn a median of $18,017 early in their careers. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
George Mason University landed the #23 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,220, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $24,500. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $41,398 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Southwest Virginia Community College placed #24 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. 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, compared with $11,513 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Southwest Virginia Community College generally make around $23,756. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
The University Of Virginias College At Wise earned the #25 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. 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. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $17,714. Liberal Arts General Studies 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. The acceptance rate is 28%.
Rest of the Top 38 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in liberal arts general studies:
More Liberal Arts General Studies Rankings
View All Liberal Arts General Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 52 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 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.
