2027 Best Value Secondary Education Schools in Virginia
[Secondary Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/secondary-education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 8 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for secondary education students.
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2027 Best Value Secondary Education Schools in Virginia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in secondary education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Secondary Education Schools
Old Dominion University earned the #1 spot for value among secondary education schools in Virginia. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. In-state tuition and fees average $12,750, compared with $33,780 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,001 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $53,989. Set against $26,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at George Mason University earned it the #2 place for secondary education. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,220, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $63,131. That is a strong return on a $23,529 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
James Madison University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,966, with out-of-state students paying around $31,312. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $21,218. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from James Madison University generally make around $52,997. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Commonwealth University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in secondary education, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,720, with out-of-state students paying around $39,884. Students borrow a median of $23,813 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Virginia Commonwealth University generally make around $57,000. Set against $23,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earned it the #5 place for secondary education. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,948 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $23,393 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $60,004. That is a strong return on a $23,393 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Liberty University placed #6 among the best values for secondary education. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,173. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $29,249. Secondary Education graduates of Liberty University earn a median of $32,945 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Shenandoah University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value secondary education schools. Located in the city of Winchester, Shenandoah University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $36,950. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $26,005 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of Shenandoah University earn a median of $62,948 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,005 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of Richmond earned the #8 position for value in secondary education this year. University Of Richmond is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of University of Richmond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,230. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $21,634 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $53,815. Set against $21,634 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Richmond admits about 22% of applicants.
More Secondary 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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
