2027 Best Education Schools in Virginia
Education programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 31 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for education students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Education in Virginia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall education education in Virginia.
Top Schools in Education
Our analysis ranked James Madison University the best school in the country for a degree in education. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. James Madison University graduates 80% of students within six years. James Madison University awarded about 519 education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the education program make about $55,684 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,218 to complete this degree.
Read more about the education program at James Madison University
George Mason University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in education, landing the #2 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fairfax. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 942 education students who graduated with this degree at George Mason University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their education degree from George Mason University earn around $59,963 in the first couple years of their career. George Mason University graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans.
More information about a degree in education from George Mason University
Students looking for a strong education program will find one at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. About 86% of students finish within six years. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University awarded about 290 education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $70,242. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates carry a median of $23,393 in student loans.
More information about a degree in education from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
University Of Virginia Main Campus came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best education schools. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates 96% of students within six years. University Of Virginia Main Campus awarded about 409 education degrees in the most recent data year. Education graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $60,008 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,627 to complete this degree.
Read more about the education program at University Of Virginia Main Campus
College Of William And Mary is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in education, ranking #5. This large public university is located in the suburb of Williamsburg. About 89% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 320 education students who graduated with this degree at College Of William And Mary in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from College Of William And Mary generally make around $76,417. College Of William And Mary graduates carry a median of $18,935 in student loans.
More information about a degree in education from College Of William And Mary
Marymount University placed #6 among the best education schools. Marymount University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Arlington. Marymount University graduates 54% of students within six years. About 112 education degrees were awarded at Marymount University in the most recent year. Students who receive their education degree from Marymount University earn around $57,642 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,880.
See the full education program report for Marymount University
Eastern Mennonite University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best education schools. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, Eastern Mennonite University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. Eastern Mennonite University awarded about 61 education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their education degree from Eastern Mennonite University earn around $52,222 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,415 to complete this degree.
Read more about the education program at Eastern Mennonite University
Roanoke College came in at #8 for education this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Salem. About 67% of students finish within six years. Roanoke College awarded about 28 education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the education program make about $33,725 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,940 to complete this degree.
Get the full education details for Roanoke College
University Of Richmond earned the #9 position for education this year. Set in the city of University of Richmond, University Of Richmond is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 41 education degrees were awarded at University Of Richmond in the most recent year. Students who receive their education degree from University Of Richmond earn around $52,109 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,634.
More information about a degree in education from University Of Richmond
Christopher Newport University earned the #10 position for education this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Newport News. About 72% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 32 education students who graduated with this degree at Christopher Newport University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Christopher Newport University generally make around $54,123. Christopher Newport University graduates carry a median of $25,094 in student loans.
Read more about the education program at Christopher Newport University
Virginia Commonwealth University earned the #11 position for education 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. There were roughly 606 education students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Commonwealth University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their education degree from Virginia Commonwealth University earn around $37,659 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,901.
See the full education program report for Virginia Commonwealth University
University Of Mary Washington came in at #12 for education this year. University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Fredericksburg. University Of Mary Washington graduates 66% of students within six years. University Of Mary Washington awarded about 61 education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their education degree from University Of Mary Washington earn around $53,039 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Mary Washington graduates carry a median of $22,825 in student loans.
Read more about the education program at University Of Mary Washington
Shenandoah University came in at #13 for education this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Winchester. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. About 147 education degrees were awarded at Shenandoah University in the most recent year. Students who receive their education degree from Shenandoah University earn around $51,605 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
Read more about the education program at Shenandoah University
Northern Virginia Community College came in at #14 for education this year. Set in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 96 education students who graduated with this degree at Northern Virginia Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their education degree from Northern Virginia Community College earn around $40,126 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,413.
More information about a degree in education from Northern Virginia Community College
Longwood University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best education schools. Located in the town of Farmville, Longwood University is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. There were roughly 170 education students who graduated with this degree at Longwood University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the education program make about $53,792 in their early career. Longwood University graduates carry a median of $25,649 in student loans.
Get the full education details for Longwood University
Old Dominion University placed #16 among the best education schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Norfolk. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. About 553 education degrees were awarded at Old Dominion University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Old Dominion University generally make around $48,842. Old Dominion University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
See the full education program report for Old Dominion University
Tidewater Community College placed #17 among the best education schools. Set in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a very large public institution. Tidewater Community College awarded about 51 education degrees in the most recent data year. Education graduates of Tidewater Community College earn a median of $23,117 early in their careers. Tidewater Community College graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans.
Read more about the education program at Tidewater Community College
Radford University landed the #18 spot for education this year. Located in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public university. Radford University graduates 49% of students within six years. There were roughly 261 education students who graduated with this degree at Radford University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Radford University generally make around $36,207. Students borrow a median of $25,523 to complete this degree.
See the full education program report for Radford University
Averett University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best education schools. Averett University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Danville. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. There were roughly 60 education students who graduated with this degree at Averett University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Averett University generally make around $61,105. Students borrow a median of $28,595 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in education from Averett University
Hampton University placed #20 among the best education schools. Set in the suburb of Hampton, Hampton University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 57% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 54 education students who graduated with this degree at Hampton University in the most recent data year. Education graduates of Hampton University earn a median of $46,870 early in their careers. Hampton University graduates carry a median of $26,169 in student loans.
More information about a degree in education from Hampton University
The University Of Virginias College At Wise ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best education schools. Located in the town of Wise, The University Of Virginias College At Wise is a mid-sized public university. Roughly 47% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 25 education students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Virginias College At Wise in the most recent data year. Students who receive their education degree from The University Of Virginias College At Wise earn around $39,659 in the first couple years of their career. The University Of Virginias College At Wise graduates carry a median of $17,714 in student loans.
See the full education program report for The University Of Virginias College At Wise
Liberty University came in at #22 for education this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Lynchburg. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 4,194 education students who graduated with this degree at Liberty University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the education program make about $47,610 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $29,612 to complete this degree.
See the full education program report for Liberty University
Mary Baldwin College placed #23 among the best education schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Staunton. About 39% of students finish within six years. About 45 education degrees were awarded at Mary Baldwin College in the most recent year. Students who receive their education degree from Mary Baldwin College earn around $50,012 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $29,562.
Read more about the education program at Mary Baldwin College
Lynchburg College came in at #24 for education this year. Lynchburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. Lynchburg College awarded about 67 education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the education program make about $107,159 in their early career.
Read more about the education program at Lynchburg College
John Tyler Community College earned the #25 position for education this year. Located in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public university. There were roughly 17 education students who graduated with this degree at John Tyler Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from John Tyler Community College generally make around $36,623. Students borrow a median of $11,262 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in education from John Tyler Community College
Rest of the Top 31 Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s education ranking:
View All Education Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 31 schools evaluated.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
