2023 Best Value Associate Degree Schools in Virginia
Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Prices
Today's students have lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country. On top of that, there are a considerable number of trade schools and bootcamps that offer fast-track entry to many fields.
The Best Value Associate Degree Schools in Virginia ranking is one of many tools that Course Advisor has developed to help you make your educational decision. Our analysis looked at 41 schools in Virginia to see which associate degree programs offered the best value experiences for students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.
When determining this ranking, we place a high emphasis on the school's quality as well as its sticker price. Even though a college may be affordable, it may not offer value. Specifically, our score for quality is discounted by the published tuition and fees charged by the given college. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The more quality your dollar buys, the better the value.
Our calculations use out-of-state tuition and fees in our nationwide and regional rankings. For statewide rankings, we use average in-state tuition and fees.
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Top Value Associate Degree Schools in Virginia
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Reynolds Community College the best value school in Virginia for students working on their associate degree. Richmond, Virginia is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 1,121 students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Reynolds Community College are $8,800 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,545 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Reynolds Community College. In 2019-2020 about 78% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Northern Virginia Community College. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Value Associate Degree Schools in Virginia list. Northern Virginia Community College is a large public school situated in Annandale, Virginia. It awarded 6,023 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Northern Virginia Community College are $11,648 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $17,116 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Northern Virginia Community College does offer online classes in some areas. In 2019-2020 about 74% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Northern Virginia Community College also took the #5 spot in our Best Associate Degree Schools in Virginia rankings.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Lord Fairfax Community College. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Value Associate Degree Schools in Virginia list. Lord Fairfax Community College is located in Middletown, Virginia and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 887 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Lord Fairfax Community College are $10,742 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $13,743 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at Lord Fairfax Community College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 60% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, Lord Fairfax Community College also did well on our Best Associate Degree Schools in Virginia list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
The excellent associate degree programs at John Tyler Community College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best value schools in Virginia. John Tyler Community College is located in Chester, Virginia and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 988 associate degrees to qualified students.
John Tyler Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $10,803 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,926 in student loans.
John Tyler Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 61% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
John Tyler Community College excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Associate Degree Schools in Virginia list.
The excellent associate degree programs at Southside Virginia Community College helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best value schools in Virginia. This small public school is located in Alberta, Virginia, and it awarded 433 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Southside Virginia Community College are $10,698 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $9,671 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Southside Virginia Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2019-2020 about 59% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Patrick Henry Community College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Associate Degree Schools in Virginia ranking. Located in Martinsville, Virginia, the small public school awarded 368 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
Patrick Henry undergraduate students pay an average of $10,723 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $11,469 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Patrick Henry does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In 2019-2020 about 76% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Piedmont Virginia Community College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Associate Degree Schools in Virginia ranking. PVCC is located in Charlottesville, Virginia and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 454 associate degrees to qualified students.
PVCC undergraduate students pay an average of $10,793 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,693 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at PVCC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 71% took at least some of their classes online.
University of Management and Technology landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree programs. University of Management and Technology is a small private for-profit school situated in Arlington, Virginia. It awarded 37 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at University of Management and Technology are $9,450 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $19,418 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, University of Management and Technology is an excellent choice, since the school is online.
University of Management and Technology also took the #1 spot in our Best Associate Degree Schools in Virginia rankings.
Wytheville Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #9 on the list. Wytheville, Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 310 students in 2020-2021.
WCC undergraduate students pay an average of $10,728 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $11,925 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at WCC. During the 2019-2020 year, about 72% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Germanna Community College landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree programs. Germanna Community College is a public institution located in Locust Grove, Virginia. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,005 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Germanna Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $10,916 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $17,120 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Germanna Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 75% took at least some of their classes online.
Danville Community College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Associate Degree Schools in Virginia list. Located in Danville, Virginia, the small public school handed out 207 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Danville Community College are $10,728 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,241 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that Danville Community College does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 59% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
New River Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #12 on the list. NRCC is a public institution located in Dublin, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 510 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
NRCC undergraduate students pay an average of $10,699 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,949 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at NRCC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 63% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Rappahannock Community College landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree programs. Glenns, Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 268 students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at RCC are $10,823 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $11,807 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at RCC. In 2019-2020 about 55% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Thomas Nelson Community College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Associate Degree Schools in Virginia ranking. Located in Hampton, Virginia, the medium-sized public school awarded 801 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at TNCC are $10,809 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,613 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that TNCC does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 77% took at least some of their classes online.
Tidewater Community College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Associate Degree Schools in Virginia list. Norfolk, Virginia is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 2,414 students in 2020-2021.
Tidewater Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $11,564 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,057 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Tidewater Community College. During the 2019-2020 year, about 96% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Central Virginia Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #16 on the list. Located in Lynchburg, Virginia, the small public school handed out 435 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
Central Virginia Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $10,841 in tuition and fees each year. On average, associate degree students take out $13,176 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Central Virginia Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 90% took at least some of their classes online.
Dabney S Lancaster Community College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Associate Degree Schools in Virginia ranking. Located in Clifton Forge, Virginia, the small public school awarded 126 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at DSLCC are $10,713 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,767 in student loans.
Online courses are available at DSLCC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 61% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #18, Richard Bland College of William and Mary did quite well on this year’s best value schools for students working on their associate degree. RBC is a small public school situated in South Prince George, Virginia. It awarded 191 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at RBC are $14,130 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $12,382 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at RBC. In 2019-2020 about 44% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
RBC also took the #3 spot in our Best Associate Degree Schools in Virginia rankings.
Mountain Empire Community College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Associate Degree Schools in Virginia list. MECC is a small public school situated in Big Stone Gap, Virginia. It awarded 322 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at MECC are $10,713 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $10,145 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at MECC. In 2019-2020 about 75% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Paul D Camp Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #20 on the list. Located in Franklin, Virginia, the small public school awarded 121 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Paul D Camp Community College are $10,733 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,455 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Paul D Camp Community College. In fact, around 50% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Virginia Highlands Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #21 on the list. Located in Abingdon, Virginia, the small public school awarded 321 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
VHCC undergraduate students pay an average of $10,713 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $11,003 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that VHCC does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 79% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #22, Southwest Virginia Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for students working on their associate degree. Southwest Virginia Community College is a small public school located in Richlands, Virginia that handed out 348 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Southwest Virginia undergraduate students pay an average of $10,706 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $9,768 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Southwest Virginia does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 90% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Blue Ridge Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #23 on the list. Blue Ridge Community College is a small public school located in Weyers Cave, Virginia that handed out 489 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at BRCC are $11,367 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,218 in student loans.
BRCC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 90% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Virginia Western Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #24 on the list. Virginia Western Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Roanoke, Virginia. It awarded 669 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Virginia Western Community College are $11,358 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $17,663 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at Virginia Western Community College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 66% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Virginia Tech ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Associate Degree Schools in Virginia list. Located in Blacksburg, Virginia, the large public school awarded 30 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Virginia Tech are $33,857 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $10,589 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Virginia Tech does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 99% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Virginia Tech did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our Best Associate Degree Schools in Virginia list.
Best Value Associate Degree Schools in the Southeast Region
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- 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).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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