by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Education](/majors/education/general-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 14 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general education students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Dabney S Lancaster Community College the best value for a degree in general education in Virginia. Dabney S Lancaster Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Clifton Forge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,022, while out-of-state students pay about $11,460. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $34,293.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at John Tyler Community College earned it the #2 place for general education. John Tyler Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Chester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,082, while out-of-state students pay about $11,520. Students borrow a median of $11,262 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of John Tyler Community College earn a median of $36,623 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southwest Virginia Community College earned it the #3 place for general education. Located in the rural area of Cedar Bluff, Southwest Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,075, compared with $11,513 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $32,277. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern Virginia Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,891 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,410. Students borrow a median of $14,413 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Northern Virginia Community College earn a median of $40,126 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in general education will find it at The University Of Virginias College At Wise, which ranked #5. The University Of Virginias College At Wise is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wise. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,780, while out-of-state students pay about $28,010. General Education graduates carry a median of $17,714 in student loans. General Education graduates of The University Of Virginias College At Wise earn a median of $39,659 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 28% of applicants are accepted.
Radford University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Radford University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Radford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,548, while out-of-state students pay about $25,633. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $25,514. Early-career general education graduates make about $48,802. That is a strong return on a $25,514 median debt. Radford University admits about 90% of applicants.
George Mason University placed #7 among the best values for general education. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,220, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. General Education graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $89,993 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Longwood University landed the #8 spot for general education value this year. Set in the town of Farmville, Longwood University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,740, with out-of-state students paying around $27,980. General Education graduates carry a median of $25,649 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $53,052. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Longwood University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Mary Washington placed #9 among the best values for general education. Located in the suburb of Fredericksburg, University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,905, while out-of-state students pay about $28,083. General Education graduates carry a median of $22,825 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Mary Washington generally make around $53,665. Set against $22,825 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Mary Washington admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Virginia Main Campus ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. Students from in state pay about $23,118 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $18,627. Early-career general education graduates make about $72,080. That is a strong return on a $18,627 median debt. University Of Virginia Main Campus admits about 17% of applicants.
James Madison University landed the #11 spot for general education value this year. James Madison University is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. In-state tuition and fees average $13,966, while out-of-state students pay about $31,312. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $21,218. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from James Madison University generally make around $55,195. That is a strong return on a $21,218 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Virginia Commonwealth University earned the #12 position for value in general education this year. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,720 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $39,884. Students borrow a median of $23,813 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $65,654 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,813 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Liberty University earned the #13 position for value in general education this year. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $16,173 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $42,160. General Education graduates of Liberty University earn a median of $38,144 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Shenandoah University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Shenandoah University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Winchester. In-state tuition and fees average $36,950. Students borrow a median of $26,005 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Shenandoah University generally make around $65,767. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
