2026 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Virginia
[Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong liberal arts / sciences & humanities education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 52 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for liberal arts / sciences & humanities students.
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2026 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Virginia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
Our analysis ranked Patrick Henry Community College the best value for a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities 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, while out-of-state students pay about $11,440. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Patrick Henry Community College generally make around $21,360. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities will find it at J Sargeant Reynolds Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Richmond, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, with out-of-state students paying around $11,718. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $9,125. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from J Sargeant Reynolds Community College generally make around $27,924. That is a strong return on a $9,125 median debt.
Lord Fairfax Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, landing the #3 spot this year. Lord Fairfax Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Middletown. Students from in state pay about $5,072 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,510. Students borrow a median of $8,865 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $21,827. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wytheville Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Wytheville, Wytheville Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,007, compared with $11,445 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $8,438. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at John Tyler Community College earned it the #5 place for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,082 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,520. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $9,055. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of John Tyler Community College earn a median of $25,346 early in their careers. Set against $9,055 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Shore Community College earned the #6 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the rural area of Melfa, Eastern Shore Community College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,082, while out-of-state students pay about $11,520. Graduates go on to earn a median of $32,418 ten years after entry.
Rappahannock Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the rural area of Glenns, Rappahannock Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,102, compared with $11,540 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $6,792. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $24,024. Set against $6,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Virginia Highlands Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the suburb of Abingdon, Virginia Highlands Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,022, with out-of-state students paying around $11,460. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $5,500. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $16,365. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Germanna Community College placed #9 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the rural area of Locust Grove, Germanna Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,257, while out-of-state students pay about $11,648. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,227 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Germanna Community College generally make around $26,563. That is a strong return on a $8,227 median debt.
Central Virginia Community College landed the #10 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Central Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,157 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,595 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,758 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities 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.
Virginia Western Community College landed the #11 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $11,838. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $10,988 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $22,382. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
New River Community College came in at #12 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities 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. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $10,600. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $25,746. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southside Virginia Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Southside Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Alberta. 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 $5,500 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Southside Virginia Community College earn a median of $23,346 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Paul D Camp Community College earned the #14 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Paul D Camp Community College is a small public school located in the town of Franklin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,012, compared with $11,450 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,955 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Paul D Camp Community College generally make around $27,232. That is a strong return on a $7,955 median debt.
Northern Virginia Community College earned the #15 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Annandale. In-state tuition and fees average $5,891, with out-of-state students paying around $12,410. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $10,875 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Northern Virginia Community College earn a median of $28,249 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,875 median debt.
Dabney S Lancaster Community College earned the #16 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the rural area of Clifton Forge, Dabney S Lancaster Community College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,022 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,460. Graduates go on to earn a median of $34,293 ten years after entry.
Piedmont Virginia Community College earned the #17 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, Piedmont Virginia Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,072 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,510 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $9,325 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Piedmont Virginia Community College generally make around $29,027. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Thomas Nelson Community College earned the #18 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the suburb of Hampton, Thomas Nelson Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,088 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,526 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,165 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Thomas Nelson Community College earn a median of $31,228 early in their careers. Set against $8,165 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tidewater Community College came in at #19 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Tidewater Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. In-state tuition and fees average $5,858, while out-of-state students pay about $12,296. Students borrow a median of $12,971 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Tidewater Community College generally make around $29,491. That is a strong return on a $12,971 median debt.
Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave placed #20 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $12,084. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave generally make around $24,029. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Danville Community College placed #21 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the town of Danville, Danville Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,992, with out-of-state students paying around $11,430. Students borrow a median of $9,199 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Danville Community College earn a median of $28,056 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mountain Empire Community College came in at #22 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the town of Big Stone Gap, Mountain Empire 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 / sciences & humanities graduates is $9,384. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $18,017. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
George Mason University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,220, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $24,500. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $41,398 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,500 median debt. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants.
Southwest Virginia Community College placed #24 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the rural area of Cedar Bluff, Southwest Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,075 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,513 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Southwest Virginia Community College earn a median of $23,756 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
The University Of Virginias College At Wise ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the town of Wise, The University Of Virginias College At Wise is a mid-sized public institution. 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 / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities 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.
Rest of the Top 38 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year:
More Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Rankings
View All Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 52 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 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.
