2026 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in Virginia
[Elementary Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/elementary-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 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 26 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for elementary education students.
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2026 Best Value Elementary Education Schools in Virginia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in elementary education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Elementary Education Schools
Our analysis ranked George Mason University the best value for a degree in elementary education in Virginia. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. Students from in state pay about $14,220 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $23,529. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $63,131. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Old Dominion University one of the best values for elementary education. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,750, compared with $33,780 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $26,001. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $53,989. That is a strong return on a $26,001 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
John Tyler Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,082, with out-of-state students paying around $11,520. Students borrow a median of $11,262 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $36,623. That is a strong return on a $11,262 median debt.
Norfolk State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Norfolk State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Norfolk. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,180, with out-of-state students paying around $21,682. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $51,920. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Virginia Commonwealth University earned it the #5 place for elementary education. 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, compared with $39,884 for out-of-state students. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $23,813 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Virginia Commonwealth University generally make around $57,000. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Virginia Commonwealth University admits about 93% of applicants.
Longwood University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $25,649 to complete the elementary education program here. Elementary Education graduates of Longwood University earn a median of $43,800 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
James Madison University earned the #7 position for value in elementary education this year. James Madison University is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,966, with out-of-state students paying around $31,312. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $21,218 in student loans. Elementary Education graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $52,997 early in their careers. Set against $21,218 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Regent University placed #8 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,650. Elementary Education graduates carry a median of $31,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Regent University generally make around $50,406. That is a strong return on a $31,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.
University Of Mary Washington came in at #9 for value in elementary education this year. University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Fredericksburg. 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. That is a strong return on a $22,825 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Virginia Main Campus placed #10 among the best values for elementary education. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $23,118, with out-of-state students paying around $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. That is a strong return on a $18,627 median debt. University Of Virginia Main Campus admits about 17% of applicants.
Roanoke College came in at #11 for value in elementary education this year. Roanoke College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Salem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,068. Students borrow a median of $26,940 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Roanoke College generally make around $33,725. Set against $26,940 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Liberty University came in at #12 for value in elementary education this year. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,173. Students borrow a median of $29,249 to complete the elementary education program here. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $32,945. Set against $29,249 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Liberty University admits about 99% of applicants.
Shenandoah University landed the #13 spot for elementary education value this year. Shenandoah University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Winchester. Students from in state pay about $36,950 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,005 to complete the elementary education program here. Soon after graduation, elementary education degree recipients from Shenandoah University generally make around $62,948. That is a strong return on a $26,005 median debt. Shenandoah University admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of Richmond ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary education schools. Set in the city of University of Richmond, University Of Richmond is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,230. Typical student debt for elementary education graduates is $21,634. Early-career elementary education graduates make about $53,815. Set against $21,634 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 22% of applicants are accepted.
More Elementary Education Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
