2027 Best Value Value Schools in Virginia
[Value](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/security-science-and-technology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong value education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 8 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for value students.
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2027 Best Value Value Schools in Virginia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in value, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Value Schools
For return on investment in value, no school beat George Mason University this year. 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, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $25,747 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $56,264. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
A rank of #2 makes Tidewater Community College one of the best values for value. Tidewater Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. In-state tuition and fees average $5,858, compared with $12,296 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $14,001. Early-career value graduates make about $35,627. That is a strong return on a $14,001 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Regent University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,650. Value graduates carry a median of $29,451 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $67,561. That is a strong return on a $29,451 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at James Madison University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,966, with out-of-state students paying around $31,312. Typical student debt for value graduates is $21,218. Value graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $52,997 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. James Madison University admits about 72% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Ecpi University, which ranked #5. Ecpi University is a large private for-profit school located in the city of Virginia Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,484. Value graduates carry a median of $27,988 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $48,429. That is a strong return on a $27,988 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Virginia Commonwealth University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,720, compared with $39,884 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Virginia Commonwealth University generally make around $43,085. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,393 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $60,004 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,393 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Liberty University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,173. Students borrow a median of $27,414 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $45,877. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Liberty University admits about 99% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
