Best Education Programs in Virginia (2026)
Education programs in Virginia prepare students for K-12 teaching, special education, and educational leadership. The schools below are ranked by program strength, certification pass rates (where available), and net price — important for a field where starting salaries are modest.
#1
University of Virginia-Main Campus
Charlottesville, VA
Net Price
$21,565/yr
Median Earnings
$86,863
Grad Rate
95%
Education Share
0.7%
#2
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg, VA
Net Price
$24,953/yr
Median Earnings
$81,698
Grad Rate
86%
Education Share
0.1%
#3
William & Mary
Williamsburg, VA
Net Price
$19,096/yr
Median Earnings
$73,490
Grad Rate
90%
Education Share
0.5%
#4
University of Richmond
University of Richmond, VA
Net Price
$31,309/yr
Median Earnings
$76,178
Grad Rate
86%
Education Share
0.3%
#5
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA
Net Price
$23,322/yr
Median Earnings
$69,954
Grad Rate
80%
Education Share
4.8%
#6
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA
Net Price
$17,915/yr
Median Earnings
$76,343
Grad Rate
69%
Education Share
1.9%
#7
Roanoke College
Salem, VA
Net Price
$24,503/yr
Median Earnings
$58,047
Grad Rate
67%
Education Share
9.7%
#8
Shenandoah University
Winchester, VA
Net Price
$30,298/yr
Median Earnings
$58,433
Grad Rate
69%
Education Share
6.5%
#9
Randolph-Macon College
Ashland, VA
Net Price
$27,866/yr
Median Earnings
$58,448
Grad Rate
72%
Education Share
2.8%
#10
University of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, VA
Net Price
$20,667/yr
Median Earnings
$60,613
Grad Rate
67%
Education Share
5.2%
#11
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA
Net Price
$23,433/yr
Median Earnings
$58,128
Grad Rate
64%
Education Share
7.2%
#12
Longwood University
Farmville, VA
Net Price
$19,066/yr
Median Earnings
$52,347
Grad Rate
61%
Education Share
11.4%
#13
Marymount University
Arlington, VA
Net Price
$29,137/yr
Median Earnings
$67,516
Grad Rate
56%
Education Share
1.8%
#14
University of Lynchburg
Lynchburg, VA
Net Price
$22,235/yr
Median Earnings
$56,380
Grad Rate
60%
Education Share
5.7%
#15
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA
Net Price
$29,357/yr
Median Earnings
$44,813
Grad Rate
64%
Education Share
7.3%
#16
Hampton University
Hampton, VA
Net Price
$25,319/yr
Median Earnings
$59,159
Grad Rate
56%
Education Share
1.7%
#17
Eastern Mennonite University
Harrisonburg, VA
Net Price
$24,588/yr
Median Earnings
$54,869
Grad Rate
57%
Education Share
1.4%
#18
Randolph College
Lynchburg, VA
Net Price
$15,921/yr
Median Earnings
$53,409
Grad Rate
49%
Education Share
5.0%
#19
Emory & Henry University
Emory, VA
Net Price
$19,061/yr
Median Earnings
$47,385
Grad Rate
55%
Education Share
5.0%
#20
Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA
Net Price
$14,638/yr
Median Earnings
$54,914
Grad Rate
45%
Education Share
6.2%
#21
Radford University
Radford, VA
Net Price
$14,578/yr
Median Earnings
$53,739
Grad Rate
49%
Education Share
2.3%
#22
Regent University
Virginia Beach, VA
Net Price
$19,923/yr
Median Earnings
$44,498
Grad Rate
56%
Education Share
4.2%
#23
Sweet Briar College
Sweet Briar, VA
Net Price
$17,758/yr
Median Earnings
$51,943
Grad Rate
50%
Education Share
1.1%
#24
Virginia Wesleyan University
Virginia Beach, VA
Net Price
$19,676/yr
Median Earnings
$50,074
Grad Rate
46%
Education Share
5.4%
#25
Averett University
Danville, VA
Net Price
$22,925/yr
Median Earnings
$51,516
Grad Rate
46%
Education Share
2.8%
Why a Education degree?
Special Education has 1% unemployment and 98% of districts report difficulty filling roles. Teacher shortages are the most severe in 30+ years.
Common career paths: Elementary Teacher · Special Education Teacher · High School Teacher · School Counselor · Principal/Administrator
Typical starting salary range: $45,000–$65,000
Find your best fit, not just the highest rank
Our 2-minute quiz weights cost, earnings, graduation rate, and other priorities to your family — and matches you to schools that actually fit, not just the top of a list.
Take the fit quiz →Other majors in Virginia
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