2026 Best Value Education Schools in Virginia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Education Schools
John Tyler Community College earned the #1 spot for value among education schools in Virginia. Set in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,082, compared with $11,520 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,262 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from John Tyler Community College generally make around $36,623. That is a strong return on a $11,262 median debt.
Tidewater Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,858 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,296 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Tidewater Community College earn a median of $23,117 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Virginia Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in education, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,891, while out-of-state students pay about $12,410. Typical student debt for education graduates is $14,413. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Northern Virginia Community College generally make around $40,126. That is a strong return on a $14,413 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Piedmont Virginia Community College one of the best values for education. Piedmont Virginia Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,072, compared with $11,510 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $12,495 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $46,129. Set against $12,495 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes George Mason University one of the best values for education. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,220, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $60,141. That is a strong return on a $24,250 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Old Dominion University placed #6 among the best values for education. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $33,780. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Old Dominion University generally make around $49,571. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Norfolk State University landed the #7 spot for education value this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Norfolk State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,180 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,682 for out-of-state students. Early-career education graduates make about $51,920. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Radford University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Located in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,548 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,633. Education graduates carry a median of $25,523 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Radford University generally make around $37,622. Set against $25,523 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Radford University admits about 90% of applicants.
Mary Baldwin College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the city of Staunton, Mary Baldwin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $21,187 in tuition and fees. Education graduates carry a median of $29,562 in student loans. Education graduates of Mary Baldwin College earn a median of $50,008 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Virginia Commonwealth University landed the #10 spot for education value this year. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,720, while out-of-state students pay about $39,884. Typical student debt for education graduates is $26,901. Early-career education graduates make about $37,269. Set against $26,901 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Located in the suburb of Petersburg, Virginia State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,043, with out-of-state students paying around $22,650. Students borrow a median of $30,000 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $31,559. Set against $30,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Lynchburg College landed the #12 spot for education value this year. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Lynchburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,750. Education graduates of Lynchburg College earn a median of $107,159 early in their careers. Lynchburg College admits about 43% of applicants.
Regent University earned the #13 position for value in education this year. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,650. Students borrow a median of $24,206 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $54,823. That is a strong return on a $24,206 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Virginia Wesleyan College earned the #14 position for value in education this year. Virginia Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $37,500. Education graduates carry a median of $27,925 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $45,517. Set against $27,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
James Madison University came in at #15 for value in education this year. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,966 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,312. Students borrow a median of $21,218 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $55,866 early in their careers. Set against $21,218 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. James Madison University admits about 72% of applicants.
Longwood University landed the #16 spot for education value this year. 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. Education graduates carry a median of $25,649 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Longwood University generally make around $53,792. Set against $25,649 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Mary Washington placed #17 among the best values for education. University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Fredericksburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,905, while out-of-state students pay about $28,083. Students borrow a median of $22,825 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $53,039. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Mary Washington admits about 80% of applicants.
Emory And Henry College earned the #18 position for value in education this year. Emory And Henry College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Emory. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,000. Students borrow a median of $26,938 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $47,255. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Christopher Newport University came in at #19 for value in education 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 $25,094 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Christopher Newport University generally make around $54,123. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Christopher Newport University admits about 86% of applicants.
College Of William And Mary came in at #20 for value in education this year. College Of William And Mary is a large public school located in the suburb of Williamsburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,734, with out-of-state students paying around $51,038. Students borrow a median of $18,935 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $75,985. That is a strong return on a $18,935 median debt. College Of William And Mary admits about 34% of applicants.
University Of Virginia Main Campus earned the #21 position for value in education this year. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. In-state tuition and fees average $23,118, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,627 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $60,179. Set against $18,627 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Virginia Main Campus admits about 17% of applicants.
Ferrum College landed the #22 spot for education value this year. Located in the rural area of Ferrum, Ferrum College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $28,380. Typical student debt for education graduates is $31,000. Early-career education graduates make about $29,100. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Hollins University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Hollins University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Roanoke. Students from in state pay about $43,560 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $26,798. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Hollins University admits about 68% of applicants.
Averett University landed the #24 spot for education value this year. Located in the town of Danville, Averett University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $38,550 in tuition and fees. Education graduates carry a median of $28,595 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $61,042. Set against $28,595 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Mennonite University came in at #25 for value in education this year. Eastern Mennonite University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Harrisonburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $43,920. Typical student debt for education graduates is $25,415. Early-career education graduates make about $52,222. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Rest of the Top 32 Best Value Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s education value ranking:
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 7 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.
[Education](/majors/education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
