2023 Best Value 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.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Best Value Schools in Virginia ranking. Our analysis looked at 57 schools in Virginia to see which 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 Schools in Virginia
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Reynolds Community College to be the best value school for students in Virginia. Reynolds Community College is located in Richmond, Virginia and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,423 degrees to qualified students.
Reynolds Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,800 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $19,598 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Reynolds Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $35,589 during the early years of their career.
The excellent programs at Northern Virginia Community College helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best value schools in Virginia. Located in Annandale, Virginia, the large public school awarded 8,894 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Northern Virginia Community College are $11,648 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $16,809 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Northern Virginia Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $37,967 during the early years of their career.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Northern Virginia Community College also is in the top 20% of our Best Schools in Virginia ranking.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend John Tyler Community College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Schools in Virginia list. This medium-sized public school is located in Chester, Virginia, and it awarded 1,607 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at John Tyler Community College are $10,803 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,478 in student loans.After graduating from John Tyler Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $34,207 during the early years of their career.
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Danville Community College is a great place for students who want to get the most value for their educational dollar. Danville Community College is located in Danville, Virginia and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 976 degrees to qualified students.
Danville Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $10,728 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $13,344 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Danville Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $39,785 during the early years of their career.
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Southside Virginia Community College is a great place for students who want to get the most value for their educational dollar. Alberta, Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 928 students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Southside Virginia Community College are $10,698 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,264 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Southside Virginia Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $29,091 during the early year of their career.
Piedmont Virginia Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students. It came in at #6 on the list. This small public school is located in Charlottesville, Virginia, and it awarded 1,112 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at PVCC are $10,793 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $15,419 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from PVCC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $39,528 during the early years of their career.
Germanna Community College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in Virginia ranking. Located in Locust Grove, Virginia, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,992 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Germanna Community College are $10,916 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,696 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Germanna Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $33,592 during the early year of their career.
Lord Fairfax Community College landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value programs. Lord Fairfax Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Middletown, Virginia. It awarded 1,569 degrees in 2020-2021.
Lord Fairfax Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $10,742 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $15,242 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Lord Fairfax Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $30,686 during the early years of their career.
Wytheville Community College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Schools in Virginia list. Wytheville, Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 655 students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at WCC are $10,728 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,186 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, WCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $34,872 during the early year of their career.
Patrick Henry Community College landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value programs. Martinsville, Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 702 students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Patrick Henry are $10,723 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,044 in student loans.After graduating from Patrick Henry, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,396 during the early years of their career.
Mountain Empire Community College landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value programs. Located in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, the small public school awarded 849 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
MECC undergraduate students pay an average of $10,713 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,313 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, MECC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $32,424 during the early year of their career.
Thomas Nelson Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students. It came in at #12 on the list. TNCC is located in Hampton, Virginia and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,101 degrees to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at TNCC are $10,809 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $17,937 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, TNCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $31,974 during the early year of their career.
Tidewater Community College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in Virginia ranking. Located in Norfolk, Virginia, the fairly large public school awarded 3,312 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Tidewater Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $11,564 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $17,518 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Tidewater Community College graduates make an average of $33,302 annually.
New River Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students. It came in at #14 on the list. New River Community College is a small public school located in Dublin, Virginia that handed out 772 degrees in 2020-2021.
NRCC undergraduate students pay an average of $10,699 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $15,397 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, NRCC graduates make an average of $36,956 annually.
Central Virginia Community College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in Virginia ranking. Lynchburg, Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 1,207 students in 2020-2021.
Central Virginia Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $10,841 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $13,985 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Central Virginia Community College graduates make an average of $30,954 annually.
Rappahannock Community College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in Virginia ranking. RCC is a public institution located in Glenns, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 746 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at RCC are $10,823 per year. On average, students take out $12,071 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, RCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $27,624 during the early year of their career.
Blue Ridge Community College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in Virginia ranking. BRCC is a public institution located in Weyers Cave, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1,146 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at BRCC are $11,367 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,354 in student loans. During the early years of their career, BRCC graduates make an average of $33,198 annually.
Virginia Highlands Community College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in Virginia ranking. VHCC is a small public school situated in Abingdon, Virginia. It awarded 675 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at VHCC are $10,713 a year. On average, students take out $10,224 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, VHCC graduates make an average of $30,072 annually.
Paul D Camp Community College landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value programs. Paul D Camp Community College is a small public school located in Franklin, Virginia that handed out 200 degrees in 2020-2021.
Paul D Camp Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $10,733 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $14,993 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Paul D Camp Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $35,215 during the early years of their career.
Southwest Virginia Community College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Schools in Virginia list. Richlands, Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 643 students in 2020-2021.
Southwest Virginia undergraduate students pay an average of $10,706 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $9,720 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Southwest Virginia graduates make an average of $27,976 annually.
Virginia Western Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students. It came in at #21 on the list. Virginia Western Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Roanoke, Virginia. It awarded 1,133 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Virginia Western Community College are $11,358 a year. On average, students take out $17,770 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Virginia Western Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $32,159 during the early years of their career.
James Madison University landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value programs. James Madison University is a large public school located in Harrisonburg, Virginia that handed out 5,803 degrees in 2020-2021.
JMU undergraduate students pay an average of $29,564 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $20,564 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $394 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, JMU graduates make an average of $46,195 annually.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, JMU also is in the top 10% of our Best Schools in Virginia ranking.
Virginia Tech ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Schools in Virginia list. This large public school is located in Blacksburg, Virginia, and it awarded 10,192 degrees in 2020-2021.
Virginia Tech undergraduate students pay an average of $33,857 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $21,405 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $420 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Virginia Tech, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $52,444 during the early years of their career.
Virginia Tech not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #3 on our Best Schools in Virginia list.
Old Dominion University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in Virginia ranking. Located in Norfolk, Virginia, the large public school awarded 5,429 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Old Dominion undergraduate students pay an average of $30,960 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $26,724 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $199.After graduating from Old Dominion, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $46,278 during the early years of their career.
George Mason University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Schools in Virginia list. Located in Fairfax, Virginia, the large public school awarded 10,774 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
GMU undergraduate students pay an average of $36,579 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $22,883 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $355. During the early years of their career, GMU graduates make an average of $56,435 annually.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, GMU also is in the top 15% of our Best Schools in Virginia ranking.
Best Value 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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