2026 Best Value English Schools in Virginia
[English](/majors/english-language-literature/general-english-language-literature/english/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 39 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for english students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value English Schools in Virginia
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the english degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value English Schools
Old Dominion University tops our 2026 list of the best value english schools in Virginia. Located in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,750, compared with $33,780 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,676 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $36,054. Set against $28,676 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Virginias College At Wise is a great value for students pursuing a degree in english, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Wise, The University Of Virginias College At Wise is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,780, while out-of-state students pay about $28,010. Students borrow a median of $17,714 to complete the english program here. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from The University Of Virginias College At Wise generally make around $43,988. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 28%.
George Mason University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in english, landing the #3 spot this year. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. In-state tuition and fees average $14,220, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english graduates is $22,502. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $47,348. That is a strong return on a $22,502 median debt. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in english will find it at Virginia Military Institute, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Lexington, Virginia Military Institute is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,046, while out-of-state students pay about $52,638. Students borrow a median of $22,309 to complete the english program here. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Virginia Military Institute generally make around $47,915. Set against $22,309 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Students looking for strong value in english will find it at Radford University, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,548, with out-of-state students paying around $25,633. Typical student debt for english graduates is $21,500. Early-career english graduates make about $25,407. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. Radford University admits about 90% of applicants.
Virginia Commonwealth University placed #6 among the best values for english. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,720 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $39,884. Students borrow a median of $22,750 to complete the english program here. English graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $27,005 early in their careers. Set against $22,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of Mary Washington ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Fredericksburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,905, while out-of-state students pay about $28,083. Typical student debt for english graduates is $23,990. English graduates of University Of Mary Washington earn a median of $30,540 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Regent University came in at #8 for value in english this year. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,650. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the english program here. English graduates of Regent University earn a median of $23,986 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
James Madison University came in at #9 for value in english this year. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,966, with out-of-state students paying around $31,312. English graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. English graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $26,049 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Longwood University earned the #10 position for value in english this year. Located in the town of Farmville, Longwood University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $15,740 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,980. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $40,167. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Longwood University admits about 90% of applicants.
Christopher Newport University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. Set in the city of Newport News, Christopher Newport University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,828, while out-of-state students pay about $31,178. Typical student debt for english graduates is $27,000. Early-career english graduates make about $29,310. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
College Of William And Mary earned the #12 position for value in english this year. Located in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $25,734 in tuition and fees, compared with $51,038 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the english program here. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from College Of William And Mary generally make around $40,697. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 34% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #13 spot for english value this year. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $23,118 in tuition and fees, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. English graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $40,092. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. Roughly 17% of applicants are accepted.
Hollins University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. Set in the suburb of Roanoke, Hollins University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $43,560. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $25,876. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Hollins University admits about 68% of applicants.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University placed #15 among the best values for english. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,948 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Typical student debt for english graduates is $21,625. English graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $39,155 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,625 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Liberty University placed #16 among the best values for english. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,173. Typical student debt for english graduates is $24,850. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Liberty University generally make around $32,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
University Of Richmond ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. University Of Richmond is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of University of Richmond. Students from in state pay about $65,230 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,980 to complete the english program here. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from University Of Richmond generally make around $38,333. Set against $22,980 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Richmond admits about 22% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 39 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.
