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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Psychology Schools in Virginia

23 Colleges in the United States
$24,439 Avg Student Debt
$58,219 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Psychology Badge [Psychology](/majors/psychology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

College Factual analyzed 43 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value psychology schools.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Psychology Schools in Virginia

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in psychology, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Psychology Schools

1

Leading the list is Northern Virginia Community College, our #1 best value for psychology in Virginia. Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Annandale. Students from in state pay about $5,891 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,410. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $14,413. Psychology graduates of Northern Virginia Community College earn a median of $40,126 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,413 median debt.

2

George Mason University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,220 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $60,292. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants.

3

Old Dominion University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in psychology, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,750, compared with $33,780 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $26,000. Early-career psychology graduates make about $34,303. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Old Dominion University admits about 90% of applicants.

4

Students looking for strong value in psychology will find it at Norfolk State University, which ranked #4. Norfolk State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Norfolk. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,180, compared with $21,682 for out-of-state students. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Norfolk State University generally make around $54,971. Norfolk State University admits about 88% of applicants.

5
Radford University crest
Radford University
Radford, VA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Radford University earned it the #5 place for 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 psychology graduates is $25,233. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Radford University generally make around $39,810. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

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John Tyler Community College came in at #6 for value in psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,082, with out-of-state students paying around $11,520. Psychology graduates carry a median of $11,262 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $36,623. That is a strong return on a $11,262 median debt.

7

Virginia State University came in at #7 for value in psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Petersburg, Virginia State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,043, while out-of-state students pay about $22,650. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $27,000. Early-career psychology graduates make about $28,513. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Virginia State University admits about 89% of applicants.

8

Virginia Military Institute came in at #8 for value in psychology this year. Virginia Military Institute is a small public school located in the town of Lexington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,046, while out-of-state students pay about $52,638. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $19,250. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Virginia Military Institute generally make around $44,163. That is a strong return on a $19,250 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

9

Virginia Commonwealth University placed #9 among the best values for psychology. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,720, while out-of-state students pay about $39,884. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $23,199. Psychology graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $65,022 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.

10
Mary Baldwin College crest
Mary Baldwin College
Staunton, VA

Mary Baldwin College earned the #10 position for value in psychology this year. Located in the city of Staunton, Mary Baldwin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $21,187 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,562 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Mary Baldwin College earn a median of $60,386 early in their careers. Set against $29,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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11
Randolph College crest
Randolph College
Lynchburg, VA

Randolph College landed the #11 spot for psychology value this year. Randolph College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,310. Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,041 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Randolph College generally make around $43,197. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Randolph College admits about 94% of applicants.

12
Regent University crest
Regent University
Virginia Beach, VA

Regent University came in at #12 for value in psychology this year. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,650. Psychology graduates carry a median of $33,625 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Regent University earn a median of $77,123 early in their careers. Set against $33,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.

13
James Madison University crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University placed #13 among the best values for psychology. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,966, with out-of-state students paying around $31,312. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $23,000. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from James Madison University generally make around $31,734. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. James Madison University admits about 72% of applicants.

14
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Lynchburg College
Lynchburg, VA

Lynchburg College earned the #14 position for value in psychology this year. Lynchburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,750. Psychology graduates of Lynchburg College earn a median of $107,159 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 43%.

15
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University Of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, VA

University Of Mary Washington earned the #15 position for value in 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, with out-of-state students paying around $28,083. Psychology graduates carry a median of $22,989 in student loans. Psychology graduates of University Of Mary Washington earn a median of $28,887 early in their careers. Set against $22,989 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.

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Bridgewater College crest
Bridgewater College
Bridgewater, VA

Bridgewater College came in at #16 for value in psychology 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. Psychology graduates carry a median of $26,733 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Bridgewater College generally make around $29,102. That is a strong return on a $26,733 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

17
Longwood University crest
Longwood University
Farmville, VA

Longwood University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Longwood University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Farmville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,740, compared with $27,980 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $25,000. Early-career psychology graduates make about $22,656. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Longwood University admits about 90% of applicants.

18

Christopher Newport University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Set in the city of Newport News, Christopher Newport University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,828, while out-of-state students pay about $31,178. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $35,028. Set against $23,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.

19
Virginia Wesleyan College crest
Virginia Wesleyan College
Virginia Beach, VA

Virginia Wesleyan College landed the #19 spot for psychology value this year. Virginia Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,500. Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Virginia Wesleyan College generally make around $31,123. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.

20

Virginia Union University earned the #20 position for value in psychology this year. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Union University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,830. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $27,000. Early-career psychology graduates make about $21,626. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.

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21

Emory And Henry College earned the #21 position for value in psychology this year. Set in the rural area of Emory, Emory And Henry College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $39,000 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Emory And Henry College earn a median of $25,390 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

22

College Of William And Mary landed the #22 spot for psychology value this year. Set in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $25,734, with out-of-state students paying around $51,038. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $19,379. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from College Of William And Mary generally make around $36,818. That is a strong return on a $19,379 median debt. Roughly 34% of applicants are accepted.

23

University Of Virginia Main Campus came in at #23 for value in psychology this year. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,118, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Psychology graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $53,892 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 17% of applicants are accepted.

24
Hollins University crest
Hollins University
Roanoke, VA

Hollins University landed the #24 spot for psychology value this year. Hollins University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Roanoke. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $43,560. Psychology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $26,798. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.

25

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University placed #25 among the best values for psychology. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,948, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $22,151. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $33,733. Set against $22,151 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.

Rest of the Top 38 Best Value Psychology Schools

Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in psychology:

26
Averett University crest
Averett University
Danville, VA
27
28
Sweet Briar College crest
Sweet Briar College
Sweet Briar, VA
29
30
31
Hampden Sydney College crest
Hampden Sydney College
Hampden-Sydney, VA
32
Marymount University crest
Marymount University
Arlington, VA
33
34
Roanoke College crest
Roanoke College
Salem, VA
35
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA
36
Shenandoah University crest
Shenandoah University
Winchester, VA
37
Hampton University crest
Hampton University
Hampton, VA
38
University Of Richmond crest
University Of Richmond
University of Richmond, VA

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 43 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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