Colleges with the lowest student debt in Virginia
Colleges whose graduates leave with the least federal student debt.
Colleges with the lowest student debt in Virginia21 schools
21 schools qualify, ranked by median debt.
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).
- Has the median federal loan debt of graduates from federal data (College Scorecard).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by median debt, lowest first.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
Riverside College of Health Careers
Newport News, VA · Private nonprofitTop 1% for graduation
- Median debt $14,787
- 100% graduate
- 2
Centra College
Lynchburg, VA · Private nonprofitTop 1% for graduation
- Median debt $15,250
- 100% graduate
- 3
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA · PublicHonor RollTop 2% for graduation
- Median debt $17,500
- 96% graduate
- 4
William & Mary
Williamsburg, VA · PublicHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A
- Median debt $18,500
- 89% graduate
- 5Tie
Washington and Lee University
Lexington, VA · Private nonprofitHonor Roll#1 in Virginia
- Median debt $19,500
- 94% graduate
- 5Tie
- 7
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA · PublicTop 11% for graduation
- Median debt $20,093
- 80% graduate
- 8
University of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, VA · PublicVery good: Compass grade B+
- Median debt $20,500
- 66% graduate
- 9
Chamberlain University-Virginia
Vienna, VA · Private for-profitTop 1% for graduation
- Median debt $20,919
- 100% graduate
- 10
University of Richmond
University of Richmond, VA · Private nonprofitHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A
- Median debt $21,000
- 85% graduate
- 11Tie
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg, VA · PublicHonor RollTop 6% for graduation
- Median debt $21,500
- 86% graduate
- 11Tie
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA · PublicGood: Compass grade B
- Median debt $21,500
- 63% graduate
- 13
- 14
Eastern Mennonite University
Harrisonburg, VA · Private nonprofitTop 25% for graduation
- Median debt $24,813
- 67% graduate
- 15Tie
Christopher Newport University
Newport News, VA · PublicTop 18% for graduation
- Median debt $25,000
- 72% graduate
- 15Tie
Shenandoah University
Winchester, VA · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B
- Median debt $25,000
- 67% graduate
- 17
Hampden-Sydney College
Hampden-Sydney, VA · Private nonprofitTop 17% for earnings
- Median debt $26,000
- 62% graduate
- 18Tie
- 18Tie
- 18Tie
Randolph-Macon College
Ashland, VA · Private nonprofitTop 20% for graduation
- Median debt $27,000
- 70% graduate
- 18Tie
Sweet Briar College
Sweet Briar, VA · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B
- Median debt $27,000
- 52% graduate
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riverside College of Health Careers | $20,744 | $14,787 | $66,072 | 100% |
| Centra College | — | $15,250 | $60,122 | 100% |
| University of Virginia | $21,565 | $17,500 | $86,863 | 96% |
| William & Mary | $19,096 | $18,500 | $73,490 | 89% |
| Washington and Lee University | $23,781 | $19,500 | $94,810 | 94% |
| George Mason University | $17,915 | $19,500 | $76,343 | 68% |
| James Madison University | $23,322 | $20,093 | $69,954 | 80% |
| University of Mary Washington | $20,667 | $20,500 | $60,613 | 66% |
| Chamberlain University-Virginia | $33,199 | $20,919 | $92,405 | 100% |
| University of Richmond | $31,309 | $21,000 | $76,178 | 85% |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | $24,953 | $21,500 | $81,698 | 86% |
| Virginia Commonwealth University | $23,433 | $21,500 | $58,128 | 63% |
| Virginia Military Institute | $17,113 | $22,996 | $77,369 | 76% |
| Eastern Mennonite University | $24,588 | $24,813 | $54,869 | 67% |
| Christopher Newport University | $23,015 | $25,000 | $60,509 | 72% |
| Shenandoah University | $30,298 | $25,000 | $58,433 | 67% |
| Hampden-Sydney College | $22,400 | $26,000 | $67,640 | 62% |
| Hollins University | $20,896 | $27,000 | $40,075 | 65% |
| Roanoke College | $24,503 | $27,000 | $58,047 | 67% |
| Randolph-Macon College | $27,866 | $27,000 | $58,448 | 70% |
| Sweet Briar College | $17,758 | $27,000 | $51,943 | 52% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.
This list in other states
- Alabama 5
- Arizona 4
- Arkansas 5
- California 61
- Colorado 6
- Connecticut 13
- District of Columbia 5
- Florida 21
- Georgia 9
- Illinois 21
- Indiana 21
- Iowa 16
- Kansas 4
- Kentucky 7
- Louisiana 3
- Maine 9
- Maryland 15
- Massachusetts 46
- Michigan 20
- Minnesota 19
- Missouri 19
- Nebraska 8
- New Hampshire 5
- New Jersey 16
- New York 75
- North Carolina 18
- Ohio 33
- Oklahoma 4
- Oregon 11
- Pennsylvania 60
- Rhode Island 9
- South Carolina 10
- Tennessee 10
- Texas 20
- Utah 4
- Vermont 6
- Washington 13
- Wisconsin 15