2027 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Virginia
[Liberal Arts General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/) 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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 36 schools to find the best return on investment for liberal arts general studies students.
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2027 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Virginia
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the liberal arts general studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
Patrick Henry Community College earned the #1 spot for value among liberal arts general studies schools in Virginia. Set in the rural area of Martinsville, Patrick Henry Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,002, compared with $11,440 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $21,360. That is a strong return on a $8,250 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Eastern Shore Community College one of the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the rural area of Melfa, Eastern Shore Community College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,082, while out-of-state students pay about $11,520. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $32,418.
Rappahannock Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the rural area of Glenns, Rappahannock Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,102, with out-of-state students paying around $11,540. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $6,792 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Rappahannock Community College earn a median of $24,024 early in their careers. Set against $6,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Richmond, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $11,718. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from J Sargeant Reynolds Community College generally make around $27,924. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Paul D Camp Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Paul D Camp Community College is a small public school located in the town of Franklin. Students from in state pay about $5,012 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,450. Students borrow a median of $7,955 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $27,232. That is a strong return on a $7,955 median debt.
John Tyler Community College landed the #6 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. John Tyler Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Chester. In-state tuition and fees average $5,082, while out-of-state students pay about $11,520. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,055 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $25,346. Set against $9,055 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Virginia Western Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the city of Roanoke, Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,400, while out-of-state students pay about $11,838. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $10,988. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $22,382. That is a strong return on a $10,988 median debt.
Wytheville Community College earned the #8 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the town of Wytheville, Wytheville Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,007, while out-of-state students pay about $11,445. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,438 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Wytheville Community College earn a median of $22,162 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Dabney S Lancaster Community College came in at #9 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Dabney S Lancaster Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Clifton Forge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,022, with out-of-state students paying around $11,460. Graduates go on to earn a median of $34,293 ten years after entry.
Southside Virginia Community College landed the #10 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the rural area of Alberta, Southside Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,007 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,445. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Southside Virginia Community College generally make around $23,346. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Germanna Community College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the rural area of Locust Grove, Germanna Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,257, while out-of-state students pay about $11,648. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,227 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies 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.
Lord Fairfax Community College came in at #12 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the rural area of Middletown, Lord Fairfax Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,072, with out-of-state students paying around $11,510. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,865. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $21,827. That is a strong return on a $8,865 median debt.
Virginia Highlands Community College placed #13 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the suburb of Abingdon, Virginia Highlands Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,022 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,460. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Virginia Highlands Community College generally make around $16,365. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Piedmont Virginia Community College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, Piedmont Virginia Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,072, while out-of-state students pay about $11,510. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,325 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $29,027. Set against $9,325 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwest Virginia Community College placed #15 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the rural area of Cedar Bluff, Southwest Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,075 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,513. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $23,756. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
New River Community College landed the #16 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the town of Dublin, New River Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,979, compared with $11,417 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $10,600. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of New River Community College earn a median of $25,746 early in their careers. Set against $10,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern Virginia Community College came in at #17 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,891 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,410 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Northern Virginia Community College generally make around $28,249. That is a strong return on a $10,875 median debt.
Danville Community College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the town of Danville, Danville Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,992 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,430. Students borrow a median of $9,199 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Danville Community College generally make around $28,056. That is a strong return on a $9,199 median debt.
Thomas Nelson Community College earned the #19 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Thomas Nelson Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Hampton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,088, while out-of-state students pay about $11,526. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,165. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $31,228. Set against $8,165 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Virginias College At Wise landed the #20 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the town of Wise, The University Of Virginias College At Wise is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,780, while out-of-state students pay about $28,010. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $17,714. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of The University Of Virginias College At Wise earn a median of $43,988 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Virginias College At Wise admits about 28% of applicants.
Central Virginia Community College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Central Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Lynchburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,157, compared with $11,595 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $9,758. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Central Virginia Community College earn a median of $19,009 early in their careers. Set against $9,758 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tidewater Community College earned the #22 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,858, while out-of-state students pay about $12,296. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $12,971 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Tidewater Community College earn a median of $29,491 early in their careers. Set against $12,971 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mary Baldwin College landed the #23 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the city of Staunton, Mary Baldwin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $21,187. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $27,089 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies 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.
Mountain Empire Community College landed the #24 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the town of Big Stone Gap, Mountain Empire Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,007, while out-of-state students pay about $11,445. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Mountain Empire Community College earn a median of $18,017 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave placed #25 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the rural area of Weyers Cave, Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,646, while out-of-state students pay about $12,084. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave generally make around $24,029. That is a strong return on a $8,625 median debt.
Rest of the Top 36 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in liberal arts general studies:
More Liberal Arts General Studies Rankings
View All Liberal Arts General Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 36 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 36 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.
