2027 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in Virginia
[Elementary Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/elementary-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 15 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for elementary education students.
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2027 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in Virginia
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the elementary education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Elementary Education Schools
Old Dominion University earned the #1 spot for value among elementary education schools in Virginia. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,750, compared with $33,780 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $26,001. Elementary Education graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $53,989 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Students looking for strong value in elementary education will find it at George Mason University, which ranked #2. 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. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $23,529. Elementary Education graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $63,131 early in their careers. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in elementary education will find it at College Of William And Mary, which ranked #3. College Of William And Mary is a large public school located in the suburb of Williamsburg. Students from in state pay about $25,734 in tuition and fees, compared with $51,038 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $18,935 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of College Of William And Mary earn a median of $53,338 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 34%.
Longwood University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in elementary education, landing the #4 spot this year. Longwood University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Farmville. In-state tuition and fees average $15,740, compared with $27,980 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $25,649 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Longwood University generally make around $43,800. Set against $25,649 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Longwood University admits about 90% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Norfolk State University earned it the #5 place for elementary education. Norfolk State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Norfolk. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,180, with out-of-state students paying around $21,682. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $51,920. Norfolk State University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Mary Washington placed #6 among the best values for elementary education. Set in the suburb of Fredericksburg, University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,905 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,083. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $22,825 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of University Of Mary Washington earn a median of $53,037 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #7 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,118, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $18,627 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $54,106. Set against $18,627 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 17% of applicants are accepted.
James Madison University earned the #8 position for value in elementary education this year. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,966, with out-of-state students paying around $31,312. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $21,218. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $52,997. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Regent University landed the #9 spot for elementary education value this year. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $21,650. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $31,250. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Regent University generally make around $33,534. Set against $31,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Virginia Commonwealth University came in at #10 for value in elementary education this year. Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public school located in the city of Richmond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,720, while out-of-state students pay about $39,884. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $23,813 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $57,000 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,813 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. Students from in state pay about $15,948 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Students borrow a median of $23,393 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $60,004 early in their careers. Set against $23,393 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Roanoke College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Located in the suburb of Salem, Roanoke College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,068. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $26,940 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of Roanoke College earn a median of $33,725 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Liberty University came in at #13 for value in elementary education this year. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,173. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $29,249 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Liberty University generally make around $32,945. That is a strong return on a $29,249 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Shenandoah University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value elementary education schools. Shenandoah University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Winchester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,950. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $26,005. Elementary Education graduates of Shenandoah University earn a median of $62,948 early in their careers. Set against $26,005 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Richmond placed #15 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the city of University of Richmond, University Of Richmond is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,230. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $21,634 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from University Of Richmond generally make around $53,815. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Richmond admits about 22% of applicants.
More Elementary Education Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 ranked schools only.
- 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.
