Most affordable colleges with strong academics in Virginia
The lowest net prices among colleges with an Academic Excellence grade of B or better.
Most affordable colleges with strong academics in Virginia20 schools
20 schools qualify, ranked by net price.
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 a net price from federal data (the average yearly cost after grants, College Scorecard).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by net price, lowest first.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
Virginia Military Institute
Lexington, VA · PublicTop 9% for earnings
- Net price $17,113 a year
- 76% graduate
- 2
Sweet Briar College
Sweet Briar, VA · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B
- Net price $17,758 a year
- 52% graduate
- 3
- 4
William & Mary
Williamsburg, VA · PublicHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A
- Net price $19,096 a year
- 89% graduate
- 5
University of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, VA · PublicVery good: Compass grade B+
- Net price $20,667 a year
- 66% graduate
- 6
Riverside College of Health Careers
Newport News, VA · Private nonprofitTop 1% for graduation
- Net price $20,744 a year
- 100% graduate
- 7
Hollins University
Roanoke, VA · Private nonprofit#17 in Virginia
- Net price $20,896 a year
- 65% graduate
- 8
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA · PublicHonor RollTop 2% for graduation
- Net price $21,565 a year
- 96% graduate
- 9
Hampden-Sydney College
Hampden-Sydney, VA · Private nonprofitTop 17% for earnings
- Net price $22,400 a year
- 62% graduate
- 10
Christopher Newport University
Newport News, VA · PublicTop 18% for graduation
- Net price $23,015 a year
- 72% graduate
- 11
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA · PublicTop 11% for graduation
- Net price $23,322 a year
- 80% graduate
- 12
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA · PublicGood: Compass grade B
- Net price $23,433 a year
- 63% graduate
- 13
Washington and Lee University
Lexington, VA · Private nonprofitHonor Roll#1 in Virginia
- Net price $23,781 a year
- 94% graduate
- 14
Roanoke College
Salem, VA · Private nonprofitTop 25% for graduation
- Net price $24,503 a year
- 67% graduate
- 15
Eastern Mennonite University
Harrisonburg, VA · Private nonprofitTop 25% for graduation
- Net price $24,588 a year
- 67% graduate
- 16
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg, VA · PublicHonor RollTop 6% for graduation
- Net price $24,953 a year
- 86% graduate
- 17
Randolph-Macon College
Ashland, VA · Private nonprofitTop 20% for graduation
- Net price $27,866 a year
- 70% graduate
- 18
Shenandoah University
Winchester, VA · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B
- Net price $30,298 a year
- 67% graduate
- 19
University of Richmond
University of Richmond, VA · Private nonprofitHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A
- Net price $31,309 a year
- 85% graduate
- 20
Chamberlain University-Virginia
Vienna, VA · Private for-profitTop 1% for graduation
- Net price $33,199 a year
- 100% graduate
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Military Institute | $17,113 | $22,996 | $77,369 | 76% |
| Sweet Briar College | $17,758 | $27,000 | $51,943 | 52% |
| George Mason University | $17,915 | $19,500 | $76,343 | 68% |
| William & Mary | $19,096 | $18,500 | $73,490 | 89% |
| University of Mary Washington | $20,667 | $20,500 | $60,613 | 66% |
| Riverside College of Health Careers | $20,744 | $14,787 | $66,072 | 100% |
| Hollins University | $20,896 | $27,000 | $40,075 | 65% |
| University of Virginia | $21,565 | $17,500 | $86,863 | 96% |
| Hampden-Sydney College | $22,400 | $26,000 | $67,640 | 62% |
| Christopher Newport University | $23,015 | $25,000 | $60,509 | 72% |
| James Madison University | $23,322 | $20,093 | $69,954 | 80% |
| Virginia Commonwealth University | $23,433 | $21,500 | $58,128 | 63% |
| Washington and Lee University | $23,781 | $19,500 | $94,810 | 94% |
| Roanoke College | $24,503 | $27,000 | $58,047 | 67% |
| Eastern Mennonite University | $24,588 | $24,813 | $54,869 | 67% |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | $24,953 | $21,500 | $81,698 | 86% |
| Randolph-Macon College | $27,866 | $27,000 | $58,448 | 70% |
| Shenandoah University | $30,298 | $25,000 | $58,433 | 67% |
| University of Richmond | $31,309 | $21,000 | $76,178 | 85% |
| Chamberlain University-Virginia | $33,199 | $20,919 | $92,405 | 100% |
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 63
- 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 47
- Michigan 20
- Minnesota 19
- Missouri 18
- Nebraska 8
- New Hampshire 5
- New Jersey 17
- New York 79
- North Carolina 17
- 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