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2023 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts General Studies (Income $0-$30k) in Virginia

30 Ranked Colleges
14,893 Degrees Awarded
$7,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Liberal Arts 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. 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 Arts Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2020-2021, 556,813 liberal arts general studies students received their degree, making the major the 1st most popular in the country. In 2019-2020, liberal arts general studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $28,337 and had an average of $17,430 in loans still to pay off.

Across Virginia, there were 14,893 liberal arts general studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $27,025 and $13,423 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 30 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in liberal arts general studies. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality liberal arts general studies 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 general studies program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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The liberal arts school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k”.

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. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

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

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

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

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northern Virginia Community College. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k. Northern Virginia Community College is located in Annandale, Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 3,606 ’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northern Virginia Community College, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Virginia” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Northern Virginia Community College is $7,515 for virginia liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Northern Virginia Community College

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend John Tyler Community College. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k. Chester, Virginia is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 582 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our virginia liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k list, John Tyler Community College has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $4,430 for virginia liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend John Tyler Community College.

Full John Tyler Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Tidewater Community College. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k. Norfolk, Virginia is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 641 students in 2020-2021.

Tidewater Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Virginia” list. The yearly cost to attend Tidewater Community College is $5,652 for Virginia Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Tidewater Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

4
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Germanna Community College
Locust Grove, Virginia

Out of the 30 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Germanna Community College landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in Locust Grove, Virginia, this medium-sized public school awarded 1,440 degrees to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our virginia liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k list, Germanna Community College has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Virginia” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Germanna Community College is $5,422 for Virginia Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Germanna Community College

5
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Wytheville Community College
Wytheville, Virginia

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Wytheville Community College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k list. WCC is a small school located in Wytheville, Virginia that handed out 224 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $1,559 for virginia liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Wytheville Community College.

Full Wytheville Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

6
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George Mason University
Fairfax, Virginia

George Mason University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. George Mason University is located in Fairfax, Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 362 ’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at GMU, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Virginia” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for George Mason University is $14,781 for virginia liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. 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 General Studies at GMU

7
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Lord Fairfax Community College
Middletown, Virginia

Lord Fairfax Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. Lord Fairfax Community College is located in Middletown, Virginia and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 782 ’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

Lord Fairfax Community College also took the #14 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $4,740 for Virginia Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Lord Fairfax Community College.

Full Lord Fairfax Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

8
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James Madison University
Harrisonburg, Virginia

James Madison University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k list. JMU is a large public school situated in Harrisonburg, Virginia. It awarded 263 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

JMU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Virginia” list. The estimated yearly cost for JMU is $14,288 for Virginia Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at James Madison University

9

Southside Virginia Community College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Southside Virginia Community College is a public institution located in Alberta, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 504 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our virginia liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k list, Southside Virginia Community College has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Virginia” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Southside Virginia Community College is $5,961 for virginia liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Southside Virginia Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

10
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Patrick Henry Community College
Martinsville, Virginia

Patrick Henry Community College landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in Martinsville, Virginia, and it awarded 422 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Patrick Henry, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Virginia” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Patrick Henry is $3,959 for Virginia Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Patrick Henry Community College

11
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University of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, Virginia

University of Mary Washington landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UMW is located in Fredericksburg, Virginia and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 118 ’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

UMW also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Virginia” list, coming in at #4. The estimated yearly cost for UMW is $14,589 for virginia liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

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 General Studies at University of Mary Washington

12

Dabney S Lancaster Community College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Dabney S Lancaster Community College is a small public school situated in Clifton Forge, Virginia. It awarded 128 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our virginia liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k list, DSLCC has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $3,381 for virginia liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend DSLCC.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Dabney S Lancaster Community College

13

Virginia Western Community College landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Virginia Western Community College is a public institution located in Roanoke, Virginia. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 119 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Virginia Western Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Virginia” list. It costs about $5,488 for Virginia Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Virginia Western Community College.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Virginia Western Community College

14
Danville Community College crest
Danville Community College
Danville, Virginia

Danville Community College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Danville, Virginia, and it awarded 236 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our virginia liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k list, Danville Community College has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Virginia” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Danville Community College is $7,082 for Virginia Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Danville Community College

15
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Piedmont Virginia Community College
Charlottesville, Virginia

Piedmont Virginia Community College landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Charlottesville, Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 587 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our virginia liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k list, PVCC has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Virginia” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for PVCC is $5,622 for Virginia Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full PVCC Liberal Arts General Studies Report

16

Central Virginia Community College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Central Virginia Community College is a public institution located in Lynchburg, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 648 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Central Virginia Community College also took the #25 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $4,026 for virginia liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Central Virginia Community College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Central Virginia Community College

17

Paul D Camp Community College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts 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 71 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Paul D Camp Community College is $3,285 for virginia liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Paul D Camp Community College

18

Rappahannock Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. RCC is a public institution located in Glenns, Virginia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 438 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at RCC, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Virginia” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Rappahannock Community College is $5,508 for virginia liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at RCC

19

New River Community College landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. New River Community College is a small school located in Dublin, Virginia that handed out 355 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $5,006 for virginia liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend NRCC.

Full New River Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

20

Virginia Highlands Community College landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Virginia Highlands Community College is a small public school situated in Abingdon, Virginia. It awarded 250 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Virginia Highlands Community College is $5,799 for virginia liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Virginia Highlands Community College

21
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Blue Ridge Community College
Weyers Cave, Virginia

Blue Ridge Community College ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k list. Weyers Cave, Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 535 students in 2020-2021.

BRCC also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Virginia” list, coming in at #20. The estimated yearly cost for Blue Ridge Community College is $8,266 for virginia liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Blue Ridge Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

22

Southwest Virginia Community College ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Richlands, Virginia, this small public school handed out 215 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Southwest Virginia is $6,892 for virginia liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Southwest Virginia

23
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Bridgewater College
Bridgewater, Virginia

Bridgewater College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #23. Bridgewater College is a small school located in Bridgewater, Virginia that handed out 18 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

Bridgewater also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Virginia” list, coming in at #12. It costs about $16,714 for virginia liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Bridgewater College.

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%.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Bridgewater College

24
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Southern Virginia University
Buena Vista, Virginia

With a ranking of #24, Southern Virginia University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k list. SVU is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Buena Vista, Virginia. It awarded 16 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2020-2021.

SVU also took the #16 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Virginia” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Southern Virginia University is $18,273 for Virginia Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full SVU Liberal Arts General Studies Report

25
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Mary Baldwin University
Staunton, Virginia

Mary Baldwin University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #25. 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 also took the #23 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Virginia” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Mary Baldwin is $16,899 for Virginia Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Mary Baldwin University

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