2026 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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong secondary education education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 11 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for secondary education students.
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2026 Best Value Secondary Education Schools in Virginia
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the secondary education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Secondary Education Schools
Our analysis ranked John Tyler Community College the best value for a degree in secondary education in Virginia. Located in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,082, while out-of-state students pay about $11,520. Students borrow a median of $11,262 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $36,623. Set against $11,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
George Mason University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,220, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $63,131 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Old Dominion University one of the best values for secondary education. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. In-state tuition and fees average $12,750, with out-of-state students paying around $33,780. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $26,001 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Old Dominion University generally make around $53,989. That is a strong return on a $26,001 median debt. Roughly 90% 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,720, with out-of-state students paying around $39,884. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $23,813 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $57,000 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
James Madison University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. James Madison University is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. In-state tuition and fees average $13,966, with out-of-state students paying around $31,312. Students borrow a median of $21,218 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $52,997 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. James Madison University admits about 72% of applicants.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University landed the #6 spot for secondary education value this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Students borrow a median of $23,393 to complete the secondary education program here. 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 landed the #7 spot for secondary education value 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. Students borrow a median of $29,249 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Liberty University generally make around $32,945. Set against $29,249 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Liberty University admits about 99% of applicants.
Shenandoah University placed #8 among the best values for secondary education. Shenandoah University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Winchester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,950. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $26,005. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $62,948. That is a strong return on a $26,005 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of Richmond ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Located in the city of University of Richmond, University Of Richmond is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,230 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $21,634. Secondary Education graduates of University Of Richmond earn a median of $53,815 early in their careers. Set against $21,634 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 22% of applicants are accepted.
More Secondary 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
