2023 Best Value Colleges for Education (Income $0-$30k) in Virginia
21
Ranked Colleges
9,662
Degrees Awarded
$15,500
Avg Net Price*
With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Education Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.
Education is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 4th of all the majors we analyze. In 2020-2021, 327,871 degrees were awarded to students with this major. In 2019-2020, education graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $46,202 and had an average of $24,437 in loans still to pay off.
Across Virginia, there were 9,662 education graduates with average earnings and debt of $48,428 and $28,333 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Education Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 21 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in education. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great education programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.
When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the education program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
One Size Does Not Fit All
The education school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Education Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k”.
We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.
Best Value Education Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k
The colleges and universities below are the best for virginia education students whose families make $0-$30k.
Top 21 Best Value Colleges for Education (Income $0-$30k) in Virginia
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Virginia - Main Campus. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Education Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Charlottesville, Virginia, this large public school handed out 369 degrees to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at University of Virginia, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Education Schools in Virginia” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Virginia is $12,476 for virginia education students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Education at University of Virginia
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend William & Mary. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Education Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k. Williamsburg, Virginia is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 156 students in 2020-2021.
William & Mary did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Education Schools in Virginia” list. The estimated yearly cost for William & Mary is $5,972 for virginia education students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Education at William & Mary
Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Education Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Virginia Tech landed the #3 spot on the list. Virginia Tech is a large school located in Blacksburg, Virginia that handed out 276 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
Virginia Tech did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Education Schools in Virginia” list. The yearly cost to attend Virginia Tech is $11,934 for Virginia Education students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Education at Virginia Tech
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Richmond. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Education Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Richmond is a private not-for-profit institution located in University of Richmond, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 51 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
URichmond did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Education Schools in Virginia” list. It costs about $8,010 for Virginia Education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Richmond.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.
Read more about Education at University of Richmond
Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Education Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, George Mason University landed the #5 spot on the list. GMU is a large public school situated in Fairfax, Virginia. It awarded 1,351 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at GMU, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Education Schools in Virginia” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for GMU is $14,781 for virginia education students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read more about Education at GMU
Old Dominion University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k list. Norfolk, Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 691 students in 2020-2021.
Old Dominion also took the #8 spot in our “Best Education Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $13,335 for virginia education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Old Dominion University.
Full Old Dominion University Education Report
James Madison University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. JMU is located in Harrisonburg, Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 416 ’s education degrees to qualified students.
JMU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Education Schools in Virginia” list. It costs about $14,288 for Virginia Education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend JMU.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.
Full JMU Education Report
Radford University landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Radford, Virginia, this medium-sized public school handed out 289 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.
Radford did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Education Schools in Virginia” list. It costs about $11,420 for virginia education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Radford University.
Read full report on Education at Radford
Virginia Commonwealth University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Richmond, Virginia, this large public school handed out 734 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.
VCU also took the #6 spot in our “Best Education Schools in Virginia” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Virginia Commonwealth University is $14,507 for Virginia Education students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on Education at Virginia Commonwealth University
Emory and Henry College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Emory and Henry College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Emory, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 38 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Emory & Henry College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Education Schools in Virginia” list. It costs about $11,062 for Virginia Education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Emory & Henry College.
The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.
Read more about Education at Emory & Henry College
With a ranking of #11, Regent University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k list. Regent University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 454 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Regent also made our “Best Education Schools in Virginia” list, coming in at #11. It costs about $20,479 for virginia education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Regent.
Read more about Education at Regent University
University of Mary Washington ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k list. UMW is a public institution located in Fredericksburg, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 114 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UMW did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Education Schools in Virginia” list. The yearly cost to attend UMW is $14,589 for virginia education students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Education at University of Mary Washington
Norfolk State University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Norfolk, Virginia is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 36 students in 2020-2021.
Norfolk State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Education Schools in Virginia” list. The yearly cost to attend Norfolk State University is $14,013 for Virginia Education students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full Norfolk State University Education Report
With a ranking of #14, Longwood University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k list. Longwood is a small public school situated in Farmville, Virginia. It awarded 167 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
Longwood did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Education Schools in Virginia” list. It costs about $14,071 for virginia education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Longwood.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on Education at Longwood University
With a ranking of #15, Christopher Newport University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k list. CNU is a public institution located in Newport News, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 49 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
CNU also took the #15 spot in our “Best Education Schools in Virginia” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Christopher Newport University is $15,862 for Virginia Education students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.
Read more about Education at CNU
Virginia State University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k list. Virginia State is a small school located in Petersburg, Virginia that handed out 64 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
Virginia State also made our “Best Education Schools in Virginia” list, coming in at #19. The estimated yearly cost for Virginia State University is $15,823 for Virginia Education students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Education at Virginia State
With a ranking of #17, Mary Baldwin University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Staunton, Virginia, and it awarded 48 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
Mary Baldwin did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Education Schools in Virginia” list. The estimated yearly cost for Mary Baldwin is $16,899 for virginia education students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full Mary Baldwin University Education Report
University of Lynchburg came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Lynchburg is located in Lynchburg, Virginia and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 83 ’s education degrees to qualified students.
Lynchburg not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Education Schools in Virginia” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Lynchburg is $17,706 for Virginia Education students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Lynchburg Education Report
Marymount University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. Marymount is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Arlington, Virginia. It awarded 56 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.
Marymount did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Education Schools in Virginia” list. The yearly cost to attend Marymount is $21,228 for virginia education students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full Marymount University Education Report
Shenandoah University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Shenandoah University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Winchester, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 133 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Shenandoah also made our “Best Education Schools in Virginia” list, coming in at #10. It costs about $27,173 for virginia education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Shenandoah.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.
Read more about Education at Shenandoah University
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