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.
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#1
University of Virginia-Main Campus
Charlottesville, VA
Net Price
$18,056/yr
Median Earnings
$96,468
Grad Rate
95%
Education Share
0.6%
#2
University of Richmond
University of Richmond, VA
Net Price
$34,256/yr
Median Earnings
$92,362
Grad Rate
86%
Education Share
0.7%
#3
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg, VA
Net Price
$25,808/yr
Median Earnings
$88,716
Grad Rate
86%
Education Share
0.6%
#4
William & Mary
Williamsburg, VA
Net Price
$18,880/yr
Median Earnings
$83,488
Grad Rate
89%
Education Share
0.8%
#5
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA
Net Price
$23,550/yr
Median Earnings
$75,482
Grad Rate
80%
Education Share
4.3%
#6
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA
Net Price
$14,697/yr
Median Earnings
$79,923
Grad Rate
67%
Education Share
1.6%
#7
Roanoke College
Salem, VA
Net Price
$25,867/yr
Median Earnings
$64,329
Grad Rate
66%
Education Share
7.6%
#8
Randolph-Macon College
Ashland, VA
Net Price
$28,145/yr
Median Earnings
$64,714
Grad Rate
72%
Education Share
2.0%
#9
Shenandoah University
Winchester, VA
Net Price
$31,149/yr
Median Earnings
$66,382
Grad Rate
65%
Education Share
6.2%
#10
University of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, VA
Net Price
$23,821/yr
Median Earnings
$66,028
Grad Rate
65%
Education Share
4.8%
#11
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA
Net Price
$25,037/yr
Median Earnings
$64,442
Grad Rate
64%
Education Share
6.3%
#12
Longwood University
Farmville, VA
Net Price
$20,773/yr
Median Earnings
$55,653
Grad Rate
62%
Education Share
10.4%
#13
Marymount University
Arlington, VA
Net Price
$28,521/yr
Median Earnings
$74,032
Grad Rate
54%
Education Share
1.5%
#14
Hampton University
Hampton, VA
Net Price
$25,683/yr
Median Earnings
$63,602
Grad Rate
61%
Education Share
1.8%
#15
University of Lynchburg
Lynchburg, VA
Net Price
$27,198/yr
Median Earnings
$57,425
Grad Rate
58%
Education Share
5.2%
#16
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA
Net Price
$29,235/yr
Median Earnings
$46,945
Grad Rate
65%
Education Share
7.6%
#17
Hollins University
Roanoke, VA
Net Price
$20,875/yr
Median Earnings
$48,102
Grad Rate
67%
Education Share
0.6%
#18
Sweet Briar College
Sweet Briar, VA
Net Price
$21,856/yr
Median Earnings
$54,986
Grad Rate
54%
Education Share
3.9%
#19
Emory & Henry University
Emory, VA
Net Price
$24,031/yr
Median Earnings
$52,287
Grad Rate
57%
Education Share
3.8%
#20
Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA
Net Price
$12,913/yr
Median Earnings
$60,482
Grad Rate
45%
Education Share
5.9%
#21
Regent University
Virginia Beach, VA
Net Price
$18,135/yr
Median Earnings
$51,408
Grad Rate
55%
Education Share
4.6%
#22
Randolph College
Lynchburg, VA
Net Price
$22,101/yr
Median Earnings
$53,121
Grad Rate
50%
Education Share
6.7%
#23
Radford University
Radford, VA
Net Price
$13,701/yr
Median Earnings
$59,134
Grad Rate
48%
Education Share
1.8%
#24
Averett University
Danville, VA
Net Price
$27,629/yr
Median Earnings
$56,693
Grad Rate
47%
Education Share
2.6%
#25
Ferrum College
Ferrum, VA
Net Price
$18,070/yr
Median Earnings
$48,617
Grad Rate
33%
Education Share
17.2%
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.
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