2027 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Virginia
[Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/) 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 / sciences & humanities students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Virginia
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
For return on investment in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, no school beat Patrick Henry Community College this year. Located in the rural area of Martinsville, Patrick Henry Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Patrick Henry Community College earn a median of $21,360 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Shore Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $11,520. Median earnings reach $32,418 ten years out.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities will find it at Rappahannock Community College, which ranked #3. Rappahannock Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Glenns. In-state tuition and fees average $5,102, compared with $11,540 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,792 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $24,024. Set against $6,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the suburb of Richmond, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Set against $9,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities will find it at Paul D Camp Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Franklin, Paul D Camp Community College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,012, while out-of-state students pay about $11,450. Students borrow a median of $7,955 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $27,232. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
John Tyler Community College came in at #6 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,082, with out-of-state students paying around $11,520. Students borrow a median of $9,055 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $25,346. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Virginia Western Community College placed #7 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the city of Roanoke, Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,400 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,838. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $10,988. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Virginia Western Community College earn a median of $22,382 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wytheville Community College placed #8 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the town of Wytheville, Wytheville Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,007, with out-of-state students paying around $11,445. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,438 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Wytheville Community College generally make around $22,162. That is a strong return on a $8,438 median debt.
Dabney S Lancaster Community College earned the #9 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the rural area of Clifton Forge, Dabney S Lancaster Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,022, with out-of-state students paying around $11,460. Median earnings reach $34,293 ten years out.
Southside Virginia Community College earned the #10 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Southside Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Alberta. In-state tuition and fees average $5,007, with out-of-state students paying around $11,445. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $23,346. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Germanna Community College earned the #11 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $8,227 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Germanna Community College earn a median of $26,563 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,227 median debt.
Lord Fairfax Community College earned the #12 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the rural area of Middletown, Lord Fairfax 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. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $8,865. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Lord Fairfax Community College earn a median of $21,827 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Virginia Highlands Community College landed the #13 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Set in the suburb of Abingdon, Virginia Highlands Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,022, while out-of-state students pay about $11,460. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $5,500. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Virginia Highlands Community College earn a median of $16,365 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Piedmont Virginia Community College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the suburb of Charlottesville, Piedmont Virginia 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 / sciences & humanities graduates is $9,325. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Piedmont Virginia Community College generally make around $29,027. That is a strong return on a $9,325 median debt.
Southwest Virginia Community College landed the #15 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Southwest Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Cedar Bluff. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,075, 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. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $23,756. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New River Community College earned the #16 position 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. Students from in state pay about $4,979 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,417. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $10,600. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of New River Community College earn a median of $25,746 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,600 median debt.
Northern Virginia Community College placed #17 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Annandale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,891, while out-of-state students pay about $12,410. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $10,875 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $28,249. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Danville Community College placed #18 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Danville Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Danville. In-state tuition and fees average $4,992, compared with $11,430 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $9,199 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Thomas Nelson Community College landed the #19 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Set in the suburb of Hampton, Thomas Nelson Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,088, compared with $11,526 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $8,165. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $31,228. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Virginias College At Wise came in at #20 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. The University Of Virginias College At Wise is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wise. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,780, compared with $28,010 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $17,714 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $43,988. Set against $17,714 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 28% of applicants are accepted.
Central Virginia Community College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities 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, with out-of-state students paying around $11,595. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $9,758. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Central Virginia Community College generally make around $19,009. That is a strong return on a $9,758 median debt.
Tidewater Community College came in at #22 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Tidewater Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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.
Mary Baldwin College earned the #23 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities 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. Students borrow a median of $27,089 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Mary Baldwin College generally make around $40,887. Set against $27,089 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mountain Empire Community College came in at #24 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the town of Big Stone Gap, Mountain Empire Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,007, while out-of-state students pay about $11,445. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Mountain Empire Community College earn a median of $18,017 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave landed the #25 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Weyers Cave. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,646, compared with $12,084 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,625 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities 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 / 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
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 · 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.
