2026 Best Value General Studies Schools in Virginia
[General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/general-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general studies education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 25 schools to find the best return on investment for general studies students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value General Studies Schools in Virginia
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Studies Schools
Our analysis ranked Patrick Henry Community College the best value for a degree in general studies in Virginia. Located in the rural area of Martinsville, Patrick Henry Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,002, compared with $11,440 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $33,358. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general studies will find it at J Sargeant Reynolds Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Richmond, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,280 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,718 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from J Sargeant Reynolds Community College generally make around $27,924. Set against $9,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wytheville Community College earned it the #3 place for general studies. Located in the town of Wytheville, Wytheville Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,007, with out-of-state students paying around $11,445. General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,438 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $40,973. That is a strong return on a $8,438 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at John Tyler Community College earned it the #4 place for general studies. Located in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,082, while out-of-state students pay about $11,520. General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,055 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $25,346. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lord Fairfax Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Set in the rural area of Middletown, Lord Fairfax Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,072 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,510. Students borrow a median of $8,865 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Lord Fairfax Community College earn a median of $37,531 early in their careers. Set against $8,865 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Shore Community College landed the #6 spot for general studies value this year. Set in the rural area of Melfa, Eastern Shore Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,082, while out-of-state students pay about $11,520. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $32,418.
Virginia Highlands Community College placed #7 among the best values for general studies. Set in the suburb of Abingdon, Virginia Highlands Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,022 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,460. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $5,500. Early-career general studies graduates make about $33,529. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Virginia Western Community College earned the #8 position for value in general studies this year. Located in the city of Roanoke, Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,400 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,838. Students borrow a median of $10,988 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $22,382. Set against $10,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New River Community College came in at #9 for value in general studies this year. Located in the town of Dublin, New River Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,979, while out-of-state students pay about $11,417. General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,600 in student loans. General Studies graduates of New River Community College earn a median of $46,892 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,600 median debt.
Paul D Camp Community College earned the #10 position for value in general studies this year. Set in the town of Franklin, Paul D Camp Community College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,012, while out-of-state students pay about $11,450. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $7,955. General Studies graduates of Paul D Camp Community College earn a median of $40,070 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,955 median debt.
Dabney S Lancaster Community College placed #11 among the best values for general studies. Set in the rural area of Clifton Forge, Dabney S Lancaster Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,022, while out-of-state students pay about $11,460. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $34,293.
Piedmont Virginia Community College placed #12 among the best values for general studies. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, Piedmont Virginia Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,072, with out-of-state students paying around $11,510. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $9,325. Early-career general studies graduates make about $29,027. That is a strong return on a $9,325 median debt.
Northern Virginia Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Annandale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,891, compared with $12,410 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,875 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $28,249. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tidewater Community College landed the #14 spot for general studies value this year. Set in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,858 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,296. General Studies graduates carry a median of $12,971 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $29,491. That is a strong return on a $12,971 median debt.
Mountain Empire Community College landed the #15 spot for general studies value this year. Mountain Empire Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Big Stone Gap. In-state tuition and fees average $5,007, with out-of-state students paying around $11,445. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Mountain Empire Community College generally make around $36,988. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
George Mason University placed #16 among the best values for general studies. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,220, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $41,398. Set against $24,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants.
Southwest Virginia Community College placed #17 among the best values for general studies. Set in the rural area of Cedar Bluff, Southwest Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,075, with out-of-state students paying around $11,513. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Southwest Virginia Community College generally make around $23,756. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Regent University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Regent University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $21,650. Students borrow a median of $29,451 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Regent University earn a median of $50,406 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,451 median debt. Regent University admits about 38% of applicants.
Ferrum College came in at #19 for value in general studies this year. Ferrum College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Ferrum. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,380. General Studies graduates carry a median of $28,625 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $34,992. That is a strong return on a $28,625 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Bluefield College placed #20 among the best values for general studies. Set in the town of Bluefield, Bluefield College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $26,770 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,780 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $49,380. That is a strong return on a $24,780 median debt. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Mennonite University landed the #21 spot for general studies value this year. Eastern Mennonite University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Harrisonburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $43,920. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $27,000. Early-career general studies graduates make about $55,325. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Hampton University placed #22 among the best values for general studies. Located in the suburb of Hampton, Hampton University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $30,592 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $37,179. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
More General Studies Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
