College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2027 Best General Education Schools in Virginia

14 Colleges in the United States
916 General Education Degrees Awarded
$53,157 Avg Early-Career Salary

General Education programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their general education programs.

For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 14 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for general education students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for General Education in Virginia

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall general education education in Virginia.

Top Schools in General Education

1

Our analysis ranked George Mason University the best school in the country for a degree in general education. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 53 general education students who graduated with this degree at George Mason University in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $89,993 early in their careers. George Mason University graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. More information about a degree in general education from George Mason University

2
James Madison University crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

Students looking for a strong general education program will find one at James Madison University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. About 80% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 128 general education students who graduated with this degree at James Madison University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general education degree from James Madison University earn around $55,195 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,218 to complete this degree. Get the full general education details for James Madison University

3

University Of Virginia Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general education, ranking #3. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates 96% of students within six years. About 99 general education degrees were awarded at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the general education program make about $72,080 in their early career. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates carry a median of $18,627 in student loans. See the full general education program report for University Of Virginia Main Campus

4

Students looking for a strong general education program will find one at Northern Virginia Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public university. There were roughly 96 general education students who graduated with this degree at Northern Virginia Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Northern Virginia Community College generally make around $40,126. Students borrow a median of $14,413 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general education from Northern Virginia Community College

5

Virginia Commonwealth University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general education, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public institution. Virginia Commonwealth University graduates 63% of students within six years. About 46 general education degrees were awarded at Virginia Commonwealth University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general education degree from Virginia Commonwealth University earn around $65,654 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,813 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general education from Virginia Commonwealth University

6
University Of Mary Washington crest
University Of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, VA

University Of Mary Washington landed the #6 spot for general education this year. Set in the suburb of Fredericksburg, University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public institution. University Of Mary Washington graduates 66% of students within six years. About 20 general education degrees were awarded at University Of Mary Washington in the most recent year. General Education graduates of University Of Mary Washington earn a median of $53,665 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,825 to complete this degree. See the full general education program report for University Of Mary Washington

7
Shenandoah University crest
Shenandoah University
Winchester, VA

Shenandoah University came in at #7 for general education this year. Located in the city of Winchester, Shenandoah University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 66% of students finish within six years. About 16 general education degrees were awarded at Shenandoah University in the most recent year. Graduates of the general education program make about $65,767 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,005 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general education from Shenandoah University

8
Longwood University crest
Longwood University
Farmville, VA

Longwood University placed #8 among the best general education schools. Located in the town of Farmville, Longwood University is a moderately-sized public university. Longwood University graduates 61% of students within six years. There were roughly 40 general education students who graduated with this degree at Longwood University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general education program make about $53,052 in their early career. Longwood University graduates carry a median of $25,649 in student loans. More information about a degree in general education from Longwood University

9
Radford University crest
Radford University
Radford, VA

Radford University landed the #9 spot for general education this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Radford. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. There were roughly 30 general education students who graduated with this degree at Radford University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Radford University generally make around $48,802. Students borrow a median of $25,514 to complete this degree. See the full general education program report for Radford University

10

The University Of Virginias College At Wise ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best general education schools. Located in the town of Wise, The University Of Virginias College At Wise is a mid-sized public university. About 47% of students finish within six years. About 25 general education degrees were awarded at The University Of Virginias College At Wise in the most recent year. General Education graduates of The University Of Virginias College At Wise earn a median of $39,659 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,714 to complete this degree. See the full general education program report for The University Of Virginias College At Wise

11

John Tyler Community College came in at #11 for general education this year. Set in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public institution. John Tyler Community College awarded about 10 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general education program make about $36,623 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,262 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in general education from John Tyler Community College

12
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University earned the #12 position for general education this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Lynchburg. Liberty University graduates 67% of students within six years. There were roughly 326 general education students who graduated with this degree at Liberty University in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of Liberty University earn a median of $38,144 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $42,160. More information about a degree in general education from Liberty University

13

Southwest Virginia Community College came in at #13 for general education this year. Located in the rural area of Cedar Bluff, Southwest Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public university. There were roughly 17 general education students who graduated with this degree at Southwest Virginia Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general education program make about $32,277 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete this degree. Get the full general education details for Southwest Virginia Community College

14

Dabney S Lancaster Community College landed the #14 spot for general education this year. This small public university is located in the rural area of Clifton Forge. About 10 general education degrees were awarded at Dabney S Lancaster Community College in the most recent year. More information about a degree in general education from Dabney S Lancaster Community College

View All General Education Rankings >

Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 14 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options