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2023 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts in Virginia (With Aid)

25 Ranked Colleges
5,961 Degrees Awarded
$13,100 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid” ranking is part of that endeavor.

With 366,996 degrees handed out in 2020-2021, liberal arts is the 2nd most popular major in the United States.

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

For this year’s “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 25 colleges that offer a degree in liberal arts. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality liberal arts programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the liberal arts program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest 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 Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts in Virginia (With Aid)

1

Out of the 25 schools in the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Southside Virginia Community College landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Alberta, Virginia, this small public school handed out 334 degrees to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our virginia liberal studies students with aid list, Southside Virginia Community College has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $6,239 for Virginia Liberal Studies students with aid per year to attend Southside Virginia Community College.

Full Southside Virginia Community College Liberal Arts Report

2
Patrick Henry crest
Patrick Henry Community College
Martinsville, Virginia

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Patrick Henry Community College. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid. Patrick Henry Community College is located in Martinsville, Virginia and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 239 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

Patrick Henry not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia” list. The estimated yearly cost for Patrick Henry Community College is $4,820 for virginia liberal studies students with aid.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Patrick Henry

3
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Germanna Community College
Locust Grove, Virginia

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Germanna Community College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid list. Germanna Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Locust Grove, Virginia. It awarded 757 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Germanna Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia” list. It costs about $7,253 for Virginia Liberal Studies students with aid per year to attend Germanna Community College.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Germanna Community College

4
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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 Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Wytheville Community College landed the #4 spot on the list. This small school is located in Wytheville, Virginia, and it awarded 156 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

WCC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia” list. The estimated yearly cost for Wytheville Community College is $2,462 for Virginia Liberal Studies students with aid.

Read more about Liberal Arts at WCC

5
Lord Fairfax Community College crest
Lord Fairfax Community College
Middletown, Virginia

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Lord Fairfax Community College. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid. 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 also made our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia” list, coming in at #11. The yearly cost to attend Lord Fairfax Community College is $6,406 for virginia liberal studies students with aid.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Lord Fairfax Community College

6
Danville Community College crest
Danville Community College
Danville, Virginia

Danville Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #6. This small school is located in Danville, Virginia, and it awarded 93 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Danville Community College also made our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia” list, coming in at #10. It costs about $7,823 for virginia liberal studies students with aid per year to attend Danville Community College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Danville Community College

7

Dabney S Lancaster Community College landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid ranking. Dabney S Lancaster Community College is a public institution located in Clifton Forge, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 53 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at DSLCC, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Dabney S Lancaster Community College is $4,985 for Virginia Liberal Studies students with aid.

Full DSLCC Liberal Arts Report

8
GMU crest
George Mason University
Fairfax, Virginia

George Mason University landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid ranking. Fairfax, Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal studies degrees to 90 students in 2020-2021.

GMU also took the #1 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for George Mason University is $19,551 for virginia liberal studies students with aid.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.

Read more about Liberal Arts at George Mason University

9

With a ranking of #9, Central Virginia Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid list. Central Virginia Community College is a small school located in Lynchburg, Virginia that handed out 323 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Central Virginia Community College, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Central Virginia Community College is $4,869 for virginia liberal studies students with aid.

Full Central Virginia Community College Liberal Arts Report

10

With a ranking of #10, Rappahannock Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid list. RCC is a public institution located in Glenns, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 183 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our virginia liberal studies students with aid list, RCC has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $5,921 for Virginia Liberal Studies students with aid per year to attend Rappahannock Community College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Rappahannock Community College

11

With a ranking of #11, Paul D Camp Community College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid list. Franklin, Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal studies degrees to 66 students in 2020-2021.

Paul D Camp Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia” list. The yearly cost to attend Paul D Camp Community College is $4,435 for Virginia Liberal Studies students with aid.

Full Paul D Camp Community College Liberal Arts Report

12
JMU crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, Virginia

With a ranking of #12, James Madison University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Harrisonburg, Virginia, and it awarded 263 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

JMU also made our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia” list, coming in at #2. It costs about $22,562 for virginia liberal studies students with aid per year to attend James Madison University.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Liberal Arts at JMU

13

New River Community College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid 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 also made our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia” list, coming in at #21. The yearly cost to attend NRCC is $6,475 for virginia liberal studies students with aid.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at NRCC

14

Virginia Highlands Community College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid ranking. Virginia Highlands Community College is a public institution located in Abingdon, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 125 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at VHCC, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Virginia Highlands Community College is $5,964 for virginia liberal studies students with aid.

Full VHCC Liberal Arts Report

15
BRCC crest
Blue Ridge Community College
Weyers Cave, Virginia

Blue Ridge Community College landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid ranking. Blue Ridge Community College is a small public school situated in Weyers Cave, Virginia. It awarded 269 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

BRCC also made our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia” list, coming in at #15. The yearly cost to attend BRCC is $9,551 for Virginia Liberal Studies students with aid.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Blue Ridge Community College

16

Southwest Virginia Community College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid ranking. Southwest Virginia Community College 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. It costs about $6,933 for Virginia Liberal Studies students with aid per year to attend Southwest Virginia Community College.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Southwest Virginia Community College

17
UMW crest
University of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, Virginia

University of Mary Washington came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid ranking. UMW is a small school located in Fredericksburg, Virginia that handed out 80 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

UMW did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia” list. It costs about $23,193 for virginia liberal studies students with aid per year to attend UMW.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Liberal Arts at UMW

18
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Bridgewater College
Bridgewater, Virginia

Bridgewater College landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid ranking. Bridgewater College is located in Bridgewater, Virginia and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 18 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

Bridgewater also took the #9 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Bridgewater is $20,457 for virginia liberal studies students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Bridgewater

19
Eastern Mennonite crest
Eastern Mennonite University
Harrisonburg, Virginia

Eastern Mennonite University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid ranking. This small school is located in Harrisonburg, Virginia, and it awarded 25 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Eastern Mennonite also made our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia” list, coming in at #4. It costs about $21,842 for virginia liberal studies students with aid per year to attend Eastern Mennonite.

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%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Eastern Mennonite University

20
Mary Baldwin crest
Mary Baldwin University
Staunton, Virginia

Mary Baldwin University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Staunton, Virginia, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 33 degrees to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2020-2021.

Mary Baldwin also made our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia” list, coming in at #18. The estimated yearly cost for Mary Baldwin University is $18,354 for virginia liberal studies students with aid.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Mary Baldwin

21
Virginia State crest
Virginia State University
Petersburg, Virginia

With a ranking of #21, Virginia State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid list. Virginia State University is a public institution located in Petersburg, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 22 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Virginia State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia” list. The estimated yearly cost for Virginia State University is $17,237 for virginia liberal studies students with aid.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Virginia State University

22
SVU crest
Southern Virginia University
Buena Vista, Virginia

Southern Virginia University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #22. Buena Vista, Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s liberal studies degrees to 16 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our virginia liberal studies students with aid list, SVU has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $20,834 for Virginia Liberal Studies students with aid per year to attend SVU.

Read more about Liberal Arts at SVU

23
Hampton crest
Hampton University
Hampton, Virginia

With a ranking of #23, Hampton University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid list. Hampton is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Hampton, Virginia. It awarded 47 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Hampton also took the #5 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $26,824 for Virginia Liberal Studies students with aid per year to attend Hampton University.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Hampton University

24
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, Virginia

Liberty University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #24. Liberty University is a large school located in Lynchburg, Virginia that handed out 69 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our virginia liberal studies students with aid list, Liberty University has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Liberty University is $29,382 for virginia liberal studies students with aid.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Liberty University

25
Marymount crest
Marymount University
Arlington, Virginia

With a ranking of #25, Marymount University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in Virginia For Those Getting Aid list. This small school is located in Arlington, Virginia, and it awarded 10 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Marymount not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia” list. The yearly cost to attend Marymount University is $22,856 for virginia liberal studies students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Marymount Liberal Arts Report

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

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