2027 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia
[Liberal Arts](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/liberal-arts/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 29 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value liberal arts schools.
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2027 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in liberal arts, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Liberal Arts Schools
Our analysis ranked Patrick Henry Community College the best value for a degree in liberal arts in Virginia. Set in the rural area of Martinsville, Patrick Henry Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,002, with out-of-state students paying around $11,440. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Patrick Henry Community College generally make around $21,360. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Shore Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the rural area of Melfa, Eastern Shore Community College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,082, compared with $11,520 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $32,418.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Rappahannock Community College earned it the #3 place for liberal arts. Set in the rural area of Glenns, Rappahannock Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,102, with out-of-state students paying around $11,540. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $6,792. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $24,024. That is a strong return on a $6,792 median debt.
John Tyler Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $11,520. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $9,055. Liberal Arts graduates of John Tyler Community College earn a median of $36,623 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,055 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Paul D Camp Community College one of the best values for liberal arts. Located in the town of Franklin, Paul D Camp Community College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,012, with out-of-state students paying around $11,450. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $7,955. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $27,232. Set against $7,955 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southside Virginia Community College landed the #6 spot for liberal arts value this year. Set in the rural area of Alberta, Southside Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,007, with out-of-state students paying around $11,445. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Southside Virginia Community College generally make around $23,346. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wytheville Community College placed #7 among the best values for liberal arts. Wytheville Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wytheville. In-state tuition and fees average $5,007, while out-of-state students pay about $11,445. Students borrow a median of $8,438 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Wytheville Community College earn a median of $22,162 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,438 median debt.
Germanna Community College came in at #8 for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the rural area of Locust Grove, Germanna Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,257, with out-of-state students paying around $11,648. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $8,227. Liberal Arts graduates of Germanna Community College earn a median of $26,563 early in their careers. Set against $8,227 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Dabney S Lancaster Community College landed the #9 spot for liberal arts value this year. Dabney S Lancaster Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Clifton Forge. In-state tuition and fees average $5,022, compared with $11,460 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $34,293 ten years out.
Lord Fairfax Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the rural area of Middletown, Lord Fairfax Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,072, while out-of-state students pay about $11,510. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $8,865 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Lord Fairfax Community College generally make around $21,827. Set against $8,865 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Virginia Highlands Community College landed the #11 spot for liberal arts value this year. Located in the suburb of Abingdon, Virginia Highlands Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,022, compared with $11,460 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $5,500. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $16,365. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwest Virginia Community College came in at #12 for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the rural area of Cedar Bluff, Southwest Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,075, while out-of-state students pay about $11,513. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Southwest Virginia Community College earn a median of $23,756 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
New River Community College earned the #13 position for value in liberal arts this year. New River Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Dublin. In-state tuition and fees average $4,979, with out-of-state students paying around $11,417. Students borrow a median of $10,600 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from New River Community College generally make around $25,746. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Danville Community College landed the #14 spot for liberal arts value this year. Danville Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Danville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,992, compared with $11,430 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,199 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Danville Community College generally make around $28,056. That is a strong return on a $9,199 median debt.
The University Of Virginias College At Wise earned the #15 position for value in liberal arts this year. The University Of Virginias College At Wise is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wise. 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 liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from The University Of Virginias College At Wise generally make around $43,988. That is a strong return on a $17,714 median debt. Roughly 28% of applicants are accepted.
Central Virginia Community College placed #16 among the best values for liberal arts. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Central Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,157, compared with $11,595 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $9,758 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $19,009. That is a strong return on a $9,758 median debt.
Mary Baldwin College landed the #17 spot for liberal arts value this year. Set in the city of Staunton, Mary Baldwin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,187. Students borrow a median of $27,089 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Mary Baldwin College earn a median of $40,887 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
George Mason University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,220 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $41,398 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave earned the #19 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the rural area of Weyers Cave, Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,646, while out-of-state students pay about $12,084. Students borrow a median of $8,625 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $24,029. Set against $8,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mountain Empire Community College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the town of Big Stone Gap, Mountain Empire Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,007, while out-of-state students pay about $11,445. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $18,017. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bridgewater College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,090. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Bridgewater College generally make around $46,820. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Longwood University placed #22 among the best values for liberal arts. Located in the town of Farmville, Longwood University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,740, compared with $27,980 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $25,375. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $46,714. That is a strong return on a $25,375 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Richard Bland College Of The College Of William And Mary came in at #23 for value in liberal arts this year. Richard Bland College Of The College Of William And Mary is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of South Prince George. Students from in state pay about $9,090 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,970. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $12,587 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $20,219. Set against $12,587 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Mary Washington landed the #24 spot for liberal arts value this year. Located in the suburb of Fredericksburg, University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $14,905 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,083 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,354 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from University Of Mary Washington generally make around $37,677. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #25 spot for liberal arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,118, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $18,627. Liberal Arts graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $69,126 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 17%.
Rest of the Top 29 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for liberal arts this year:
More Liberal Arts Rankings
View All Liberal Arts Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 29 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 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.
