2026 Best Value General Psychology Schools in Virginia
[General Psychology](/majors/psychology/general-psychology/psychology-general/) 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 41 schools to find the best return on investment for general psychology students.
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2026 Best Value General Psychology Schools in Virginia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general psychology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Psychology Schools
Northern Virginia Community College earned the #1 spot for value among general psychology schools in Virginia. Located in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,891 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,410 for out-of-state students. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $14,413 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of Northern Virginia Community College earn a median of $40,126 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in general psychology will find it at George Mason University, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,220, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $68,456. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
A rank of #3 makes Old Dominion University one of the best values for general psychology. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,750 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,780 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $34,303 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Old Dominion University admits about 90% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Norfolk State University earned it the #4 place for general psychology. Norfolk State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Norfolk. In-state tuition and fees average $10,180, while out-of-state students pay about $21,682. General Psychology graduates of Norfolk State University earn a median of $54,971 early in their careers. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes John Tyler Community College one of the best values for general psychology. John Tyler Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Chester. Students from in state pay about $5,082 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,520. Students borrow a median of $11,262 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of John Tyler Community College earn a median of $36,623 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Radford University placed #6 among the best values for general psychology. Located in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,548, while out-of-state students pay about $25,633. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $25,233. General Psychology graduates of Radford University earn a median of $39,810 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Radford University admits about 90% of applicants.
Virginia State University came in at #7 for value in general psychology this year. Virginia State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Petersburg. Students from in state pay about $10,043 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,650 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Virginia State University generally make around $28,513. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Military Institute landed the #8 spot for general psychology value this year. Set in the town of Lexington, Virginia Military Institute is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,046, compared with $52,638 for out-of-state students. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $19,250 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $44,163. That is a strong return on a $19,250 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Commonwealth University landed the #9 spot for general psychology value this year. Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public school located in the city of Richmond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,720, while out-of-state students pay about $39,884. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $23,199 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $29,462. Set against $23,199 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Mary Baldwin College placed #10 among the best values for general psychology. 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. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $29,562. General Psychology graduates of Mary Baldwin College earn a median of $60,386 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,562 median debt.
Randolph College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Randolph College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. In-state tuition and fees average $30,310. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $25,041. General Psychology graduates of Randolph College earn a median of $43,197 early in their careers. Set against $25,041 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Regent University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Regent University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,650. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $33,625. General Psychology graduates of Regent University earn a median of $34,544 early in their careers. Set against $33,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
James Madison University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,966, with out-of-state students paying around $31,312. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $31,734. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Lynchburg College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Lynchburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $36,750 in tuition and fees. General Psychology graduates of Lynchburg College earn a median of $107,159 early in their careers. Lynchburg College admits about 43% of applicants.
Bridgewater College came in at #15 for value in general psychology this year. Set in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,090. Students borrow a median of $26,733 to complete the general psychology program here. General Psychology graduates of Bridgewater College earn a median of $29,102 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Mary Washington came in at #16 for value in general psychology this year. University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Fredericksburg. Students from in state pay about $14,905 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,083 for out-of-state students. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $22,989 in student loans. General Psychology graduates of University Of Mary Washington earn a median of $28,887 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Longwood University placed #17 among the best values for general psychology. Longwood University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Farmville. In-state tuition and fees average $15,740, with out-of-state students paying around $27,980. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $22,656. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Christopher Newport University earned the #18 position for value in general psychology 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 $23,500 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $35,028. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Wesleyan College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Virginia Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach. Students from in state pay about $37,500 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general psychology program here. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $31,123. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Union University placed #20 among the best values for general psychology. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Union University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,830. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $27,000. General Psychology graduates of Virginia Union University earn a median of $21,626 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Emory And Henry College placed #21 among the best values for general psychology. Located in the rural area of Emory, Emory And Henry College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,000. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Emory And Henry College generally make around $25,390. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
College Of William And Mary landed the #22 spot for general psychology value this year. College Of William And Mary is a large public school located in the suburb of Williamsburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,734, with out-of-state students paying around $51,038. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $19,379. General Psychology graduates of College Of William And Mary earn a median of $36,818 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. College Of William And Mary admits about 34% of applicants.
University Of Virginia Main Campus came in at #23 for value in general psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $19,500. Early-career general psychology graduates make about $36,121. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 17% of applicants are accepted.
Hollins University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value general psychology schools. Located in the suburb of Roanoke, Hollins University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $43,560. Typical student debt for general psychology graduates is $27,000. General Psychology graduates of Hollins University earn a median of $26,798 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Averett University placed #25 among the best values for general psychology. Averett University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Danville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,550. General Psychology graduates carry a median of $28,595 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general psychology degree recipients from Averett University generally make around $53,876. That is a strong return on a $28,595 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 36 Best Value General Psychology Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general psychology:
More General Psychology Rankings
View All General Psychology Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 41 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 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.
