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2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k

25 Ranked Colleges
5,961 Degrees Awarded
$11,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

Liberal Arts is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 2nd of all the majors we analyze. In 2020-2021, 366,996 degrees were awarded to students with this major.

Across Virginia, there were 5,961 liberal arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 25 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in liberal arts. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great liberal arts programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the liberal arts program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for virginia liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts (Income $0-$30k) in Virginia

1
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Germanna Community College
Locust Grove, Virginia

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Germanna Community College. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k. This medium-sized school is located in Locust Grove, Virginia, and it awarded 757 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our virginia liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, Germanna Community College has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Germanna Community College is $5,422 for virginia liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Germanna Community College

2
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Wytheville Community College
Wytheville, Virginia

Out of the 25 schools in the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Wytheville Community College landed the #2 spot on the list. This small school is located in Wytheville, Virginia, and it awarded 156 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

WCC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia” list. The yearly cost to attend Wytheville Community College is $1,559 for virginia liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Wytheville Community College Liberal Arts Report

3
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George Mason University
Fairfax, Virginia

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend George Mason University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k. This large school is located in Fairfax, Virginia, and it awarded 90 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

GMU also made our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia” list, coming in at #1. The yearly cost to attend GMU is $14,781 for Virginia Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at GMU

4
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Lord Fairfax Community College
Middletown, Virginia

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Lord Fairfax Community College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k list. Lord Fairfax Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Middletown, Virginia. It awarded 499 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Lord Fairfax Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia” list. The yearly cost to attend Lord Fairfax Community College is $4,740 for Virginia Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Lord Fairfax Community College

5
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James Madison University
Harrisonburg, Virginia

Out of the 25 schools in the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, James Madison University landed the #5 spot on the list. James Madison University is located in Harrisonburg, Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 263 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

JMU also took the #2 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $14,288 for Virginia Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend James Madison University.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full James Madison University Liberal Arts Report

6

Southside Virginia Community College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Alberta, Virginia, this small public school awarded 334 degrees to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our virginia liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, Southside Virginia Community College has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $5,961 for Virginia Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Southside Virginia Community College.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Southside Virginia Community College

7
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Patrick Henry Community College
Martinsville, Virginia

Patrick Henry Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. Located in Martinsville, Virginia, this small public school handed out 239 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2020-2021.

Patrick Henry also took the #14 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $3,959 for Virginia Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Patrick Henry.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Patrick Henry

8
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University of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, Virginia

With a ranking of #8, University of Mary Washington did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k list. UMW is a public institution located in Fredericksburg, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 80 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMW, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Mary Washington is $14,589 for virginia liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Liberal Arts at UMW

9

With a ranking of #9, Dabney S Lancaster Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k list. DSLCC is a small school located in Clifton Forge, Virginia that handed out 53 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

DSLCC also made our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia” list, coming in at #16. The estimated yearly cost for DSLCC is $3,381 for virginia liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Dabney S Lancaster Community College Liberal Arts Report

10
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Danville Community College
Danville, Virginia

Danville Community College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in Danville, Virginia, and it awarded 93 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our virginia liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, Danville Community College has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Danville Community College is $7,082 for Virginia Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Danville Community College Liberal Arts Report

11

With a ranking of #11, Central Virginia Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Lynchburg, Virginia, this small public school handed out 323 degrees to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2020-2021.

Central Virginia Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia” list. It costs about $4,026 for Virginia Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Central Virginia Community College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Central Virginia Community College

12

Paul D Camp Community College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k list. Paul D Camp Community College is a public institution located in Franklin, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 66 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our virginia liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, Paul D Camp Community College has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Paul D Camp Community College is $3,285 for virginia liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Paul D Camp Community College Liberal Arts Report

13

Rappahannock Community College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k list. RCC is a small school located in Glenns, Virginia that handed out 183 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

RCC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia” list. The estimated yearly cost for Rappahannock Community College is $5,508 for Virginia Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Rappahannock Community College

14

New River Community College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. New River Community College is a small school located in Dublin, Virginia that handed out 306 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

NRCC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia” list. It costs about $5,006 for Virginia Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend NRCC.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at NRCC

15

Virginia Highlands Community College landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. VHCC is a public institution located in Abingdon, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 125 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our virginia liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, VHCC has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $5,799 for virginia liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend VHCC.

Full Virginia Highlands Community College Liberal Arts Report

16
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Blue Ridge Community College
Weyers Cave, Virginia

Blue Ridge Community College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Weyers Cave, Virginia, and it awarded 269 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our virginia liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, BRCC has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $8,266 for virginia liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Blue Ridge Community College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at BRCC

17

Southwest Virginia Community College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Southwest Virginia is located in Richlands, Virginia and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 198 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

Southwest Virginia did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia” list. The estimated yearly cost for Southwest Virginia is $6,892 for virginia liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Southwest Virginia Community College

18
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Bridgewater College
Bridgewater, Virginia

Bridgewater College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Bridgewater, Virginia, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 18 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our virginia liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, Bridgewater has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Bridgewater College is $16,714 for virginia liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Bridgewater College

19
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Southern Virginia University
Buena Vista, Virginia

Southern Virginia University landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in Buena Vista, Virginia, and it awarded 16 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

SVU also took the #12 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for SVU is $18,273 for virginia liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Southern Virginia University

20
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Mary Baldwin University
Staunton, Virginia

With a ranking of #20, Mary Baldwin University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k list. Mary Baldwin is a private not-for-profit institution located in Staunton, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 33 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Mary Baldwin not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia” list. The yearly cost to attend Mary Baldwin is $16,899 for Virginia Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Mary Baldwin

21
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Virginia State University
Petersburg, Virginia

Virginia State University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Petersburg, Virginia, this small public school handed out 22 degrees to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our virginia liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k list, Virginia State has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $15,823 for virginia liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Virginia State University.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Virginia State University

22
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Eastern Mennonite University
Harrisonburg, Virginia

Eastern Mennonite University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in Harrisonburg, Virginia, and it awarded 25 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Eastern Mennonite not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia” list. The yearly cost to attend Eastern Mennonite University is $18,600 for Virginia Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Eastern Mennonite University

23
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Marymount University
Arlington, Virginia

Marymount University landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Arlington, Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s liberal studies degrees to 10 students in 2020-2021.

Marymount also made our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia” list, coming in at #17. The yearly cost to attend Marymount University is $21,228 for virginia liberal studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Marymount University Liberal Arts Report

24
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, Virginia

With a ranking of #24, Liberty University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k list. Liberty University is located in Lynchburg, Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 69 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Liberty University, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Liberty University is $29,786 for Virginia Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Liberty University

25
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Hampton University
Hampton, Virginia

Hampton University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Hampton, Virginia, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 47 degrees to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2020-2021.

Hampton did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia” list. It costs about $29,889 for Virginia Liberal Studies students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Hampton.

Full Hampton University Liberal Arts Report

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

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