College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2023 Best Value Education Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k

21 Ranked Colleges
9,662 Degrees Awarded
$16,100 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Education Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Education Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

With 327,871 degrees handed out in 2020-2021, education is the 4th most popular major in the United States. 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.

For this year’s “Best Value Education Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 21 colleges that offer a degree in education. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality education programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the education program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Education Rankings Other Ranking Categories

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Education Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Education Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for virginia education students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 21 Best Value Colleges for Education (Income $30-$48k) in Virginia

1
William & Mary crest
William & Mary
Williamsburg, Virginia

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Education Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, William & Mary landed the #1 spot on the list. William & Mary is a medium-sized public school situated in Williamsburg, Virginia. It awarded 156 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

William & Mary also made our “Best Education Schools in Virginia” list, coming in at #5. It costs about $7,507 for Virginia Education students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend William & Mary.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. 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%.

Full William & Mary Education Report

2
University of Virginia crest
University of Virginia - Main Campus
Charlottesville, 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 #2 for the Best Value Education Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k. University of Virginia - Main Campus is a large school located in Charlottesville, Virginia that handed out 369 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

University of Virginia also made our “Best Education Schools in Virginia” list, coming in at #1. The yearly cost to attend University of Virginia - Main Campus is $10,063 for Virginia Education students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. 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%.

Full University of Virginia - Main Campus Education Report

3
URichmond crest
University of Richmond
University of Richmond, Virginia

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Richmond. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Education Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in University of Richmond, Virginia, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 51 diplomas to qualified ’s education students 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 $8,606 for virginia education students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Richmond.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Education at URichmond

4
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Virginia Tech. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Education Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k. Virginia Tech is a public institution located in Blacksburg, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 276 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Virginia Tech not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Education Schools in Virginia” list. The yearly cost to attend Virginia Tech is $14,003 for virginia education students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.2% 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%.

Full Virginia Tech Education Report

5
GMU crest
George Mason University
Fairfax, Virginia

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend George Mason University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Education Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k. This large school is located in Fairfax, Virginia, and 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 George Mason University is $15,979 for virginia education students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Read more about Education at GMU

6
Old Dominion crest
Old Dominion University
Norfolk, Virginia

Old Dominion University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #6. Old Dominion is located in Norfolk, Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 691 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

Old Dominion did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Education Schools in Virginia” list. The estimated yearly cost for Old Dominion is $13,574 for Virginia Education students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Education at Old Dominion

7
Radford crest
Radford University
Radford, Virginia

Radford University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. Radford University is located in Radford, Virginia and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 289 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

Radford also made our “Best Education Schools in Virginia” list, coming in at #13. The yearly cost to attend Radford University is $13,026 for Virginia Education students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Education at Radford University

8
JMU crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, Virginia

James Madison University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #8. James Madison University is a large public school situated in Harrisonburg, Virginia. It awarded 416 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

JMU also took the #4 spot in our “Best Education Schools in Virginia” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for James Madison University is $14,985 for Virginia Education students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Education at James Madison University

9
Regent crest
Regent University
Virginia Beach, Virginia

With a ranking of #9, Regent University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k list. Regent is a fairly large school located in Virginia Beach, Virginia that handed out 454 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

Regent not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Education Schools in Virginia” list. The yearly cost to attend Regent University is $20,707 for virginia education students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Education at Regent

10

Virginia Commonwealth University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Virginia Commonwealth University is a public institution located in Richmond, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 734 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

VCU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Education Schools in Virginia” list. The estimated yearly cost for VCU is $15,891 for virginia education students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Full VCU Education Report

11

Emory and Henry College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Emory, Virginia, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 38 degrees to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.

Emory & Henry College also made our “Best Education Schools in Virginia” list, coming in at #14. It costs about $11,842 for virginia education students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Emory and Henry College.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full Emory and Henry College Education Report

12
Norfolk State crest
Norfolk State University
Norfolk, Virginia

Norfolk State University landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Norfolk State University is a public institution located in Norfolk, Virginia. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 36 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Norfolk State, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Education Schools in Virginia” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Norfolk State University is $15,321 for Virginia Education students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Education at Norfolk State

13
Longwood crest
Longwood University
Farmville, Virginia

With a ranking of #13, Longwood University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Farmville, Virginia, this small public school awarded 167 degrees to qualified ’s education students 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 $14,936 for virginia education students whose families make $30-$48k 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 more about Education at Longwood University

14
UMW crest
University of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, Virginia

University of Mary Washington did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #14. This small school is located in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and it awarded 114 ’s education 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 $16,459 for Virginia Education students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% 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%.

Full UMW Education Report

15
CNU crest
Christopher Newport University
Newport News, Virginia

Christopher Newport University landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Christopher Newport University 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 made our “Best Education Schools in Virginia” list, coming in at #15. The yearly cost to attend Christopher Newport University is $15,990 for Virginia Education students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Christopher Newport University Education Report

16
Mary Baldwin crest
Mary Baldwin University
Staunton, Virginia

With a ranking of #16, Mary Baldwin University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k list. Staunton, Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s education degrees to 48 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Mary Baldwin, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Education Schools in Virginia” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Mary Baldwin University is $17,744 for virginia education students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Education at Mary Baldwin

17
Virginia State crest
Virginia State University
Petersburg, Virginia

With a ranking of #17, Virginia State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k list. Virginia State University is a small public school situated in Petersburg, Virginia. It awarded 64 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

Virginia State also made our “Best Education Schools in Virginia” list, coming in at #19. The yearly cost to attend Virginia State is $16,672 for virginia education students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Education at Virginia State University

18
Marymount crest
Marymount University
Arlington, Virginia

Marymount University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #18. Marymount University is a small school located in Arlington, Virginia that handed out 56 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

Marymount also took the #12 spot in our “Best Education Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $21,777 for Virginia Education students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Marymount.

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 Marymount University Education Report

19
Lynchburg crest
University of Lynchburg
Lynchburg, Virginia

With a ranking of #19, University of Lynchburg did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k list. 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 did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Education Schools in Virginia” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Lynchburg is $18,080 for virginia education students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. 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.

Full Lynchburg Education Report

20
Shenandoah crest
Shenandoah University
Winchester, Virginia

Shenandoah University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k list. Winchester, Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s education degrees to 133 students in 2020-2021.

Shenandoah did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Education Schools in Virginia” list. The estimated yearly cost for Shenandoah is $26,784 for virginia education students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% 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%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Education at Shenandoah

21
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, Virginia

Liberty University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in Virginia For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Lynchburg, Virginia, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 3,637 degrees to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.

Liberty University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Education Schools in Virginia” list. The yearly cost to attend Liberty University is $27,251 for virginia education students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Education at Liberty University

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

Credits

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options