Best value colleges in the South in Virginia
Colleges in the South with an Academic Excellence grade of B+ or better, ranked by Value: net price after aid, earnings and debt.
Best value colleges in the South in Virginia20 schools
20 schools qualify, ranked by Value.
How this list is made
- Schools in Virginia.
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- Academic Excellence grade B+ or better (the top 35% of rated colleges).
- In the South (U.S. Census Bureau region).
- Has a Value score from federal data (College Scorecard).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by Value, highest first.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA · PublicTop 10% for earnings
- Value grade A · Top 6%
- Net price $17,915 a year
- 2
William & Mary
Williamsburg, VA · PublicHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A
- Value grade A · Top 8%
- Net price $19,096 a year
- 3
Virginia Military Institute
Lexington, VA · PublicTop 9% for earnings
- Value grade A · Top 10%
- Net price $17,113 a year
- 4
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA · PublicHonor RollTop 2% for graduation
- Value grade A · Top 10%
- Net price $21,565 a year
- 5
Riverside College of Health Careers
Newport News, VA · Private nonprofitTop 1% for graduation
- Value grade A- · Top 13%
- Net price $20,744 a year
- 6
Washington and Lee University
Lexington, VA · Private nonprofitHonor Roll#1 in Virginia
- Value grade B+ · Top 21%
- Net price $23,781 a year
- 7
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA · PublicTop 11% for graduation
- Value grade B+ · Top 27%
- Net price $23,322 a year
- 8
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg, VA · PublicHonor RollTop 6% for graduation
- Value grade B+ · Top 29%
- Net price $24,953 a year
- 9
University of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, VA · PublicVery good: Compass grade B+
- Value grade B+ · Top 33%
- Net price $20,667 a year
- 10
Hampden-Sydney College
Hampden-Sydney, VA · Private nonprofitTop 17% for earnings
- Value grade B · Top 42%
- Net price $22,400 a year
- 11
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA · PublicGood: Compass grade B
- Value grade B · Top 49%
- Net price $23,433 a year
- 12
University of Richmond
University of Richmond, VA · Private nonprofitHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A
- Value grade B · Top 50%
- Net price $31,309 a year
- 13
Christopher Newport University
Newport News, VA · PublicTop 18% for graduation
- Value grade B
- Net price $23,015 a year
- 14
Sweet Briar College
Sweet Briar, VA · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B
- Value grade B
- Net price $17,758 a year
- 15
Chamberlain University-Virginia
Vienna, VA · Private for-profitTop 1% for graduation
- Value grade B-
- Net price $33,199 a year
- 16
Roanoke College
Salem, VA · Private nonprofitTop 25% for graduation
- Value grade B-
- Net price $24,503 a year
- 17
Eastern Mennonite University
Harrisonburg, VA · Private nonprofitTop 25% for graduation
- Value grade B-
- Net price $24,588 a year
- 18
Randolph-Macon College
Ashland, VA · Private nonprofitTop 20% for graduation
- Value grade C+
- Net price $27,866 a year
- 19
Shenandoah University
Winchester, VA · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B
- Value grade C+
- Net price $30,298 a year
- 20
Hollins University
Roanoke, VA · Private nonprofit#17 in Virginia
- Value grade C+
- Net price $20,896 a year
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| George Mason University | $17,915 | $19,500 | $76,343 | 68% |
| William & Mary | $19,096 | $18,500 | $73,490 | 89% |
| Virginia Military Institute | $17,113 | $22,996 | $77,369 | 76% |
| University of Virginia | $21,565 | $17,500 | $86,863 | 96% |
| Riverside College of Health Careers | $20,744 | $14,787 | $66,072 | 100% |
| Washington and Lee University | $23,781 | $19,500 | $94,810 | 94% |
| James Madison University | $23,322 | $20,093 | $69,954 | 80% |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | $24,953 | $21,500 | $81,698 | 86% |
| University of Mary Washington | $20,667 | $20,500 | $60,613 | 66% |
| Hampden-Sydney College | $22,400 | $26,000 | $67,640 | 62% |
| Virginia Commonwealth University | $23,433 | $21,500 | $58,128 | 63% |
| University of Richmond | $31,309 | $21,000 | $76,178 | 85% |
| Christopher Newport University | $23,015 | $25,000 | $60,509 | 72% |
| Sweet Briar College | $17,758 | $27,000 | $51,943 | 52% |
| Chamberlain University-Virginia | $33,199 | $20,919 | $92,405 | 100% |
| Roanoke College | $24,503 | $27,000 | $58,047 | 67% |
| Eastern Mennonite University | $24,588 | $24,813 | $54,869 | 67% |
| Randolph-Macon College | $27,866 | $27,000 | $58,448 | 70% |
| Shenandoah University | $30,298 | $25,000 | $58,433 | 67% |
| Hollins University | $20,896 | $27,000 | $40,075 | 65% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.