The Most Affordable Colleges in Virginia That Actually Graduate Their Students
Longwood University offers the strongest combination of affordability and graduation rate among public colleges in Virginia, graduating 62% of students within six years at $7,776 in-state tuition. This ranking covers Virginia’s public four-year colleges, ranked by six-year graduation rate per thousand dollars of in-state tuition, using federal IPEDS data.
| Rank | College | City | 6-Year Grad Rate | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Median ACT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Longwood University | Farmville | 62% | $7,776 | $19,386 | 20 |
| 2 | James Madison University | Harrisonburg | 81% | $12,696 | $29,496 | 26 |
| 3 | Christopher Newport University | Newport News | 75% | $12,402 | $22,086 | 26 |
| 4 | University of Mary Washington | Fredericksburg | 67% | $11,778 | $21,804 | 28 |
| 5 | William & Mary | Williamsburg | 91% | $16,776 | $35,136 | 33 |
| 6 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | Blacksburg | 86% | $17,083 | $32,433 | 30 |
| 7 | University of Virginia-Main Campus | Charlottesville | 95% | $21,742 | $34,832 | 33 |
| 8 | Virginia Commonwealth University | Richmond | 65% | $15,754 | $29,782 | 26 |
| 9 | George Mason University | Fairfax | 69% | $17,035 | $38,986 | 28 |
| 10 | Radford University | Radford | 50% | $12,942 | $22,171 | 22 |
1. Longwood University
Farmville, Virginia
Longwood University graduates 62% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $7,776 per year. Out-of-state students pay $19,386. Median ACT: 20.
2. James Madison University
Harrisonburg, Virginia
James Madison University graduates 81% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $12,696 per year. Out-of-state students pay $29,496. Median ACT: 26.
3. Christopher Newport University
Newport News, Virginia
Christopher Newport University graduates 75% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $12,402 per year. Out-of-state students pay $22,086. Median ACT: 26.
4. University of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, Virginia
University of Mary Washington graduates 67% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $11,778 per year. Out-of-state students pay $21,804. Median ACT: 28.
5. William & Mary
Williamsburg, Virginia
William & Mary graduates 91% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $16,776 per year. Out-of-state students pay $35,136. Median ACT: 33.
6. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg, Virginia
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University graduates 86% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $17,083 per year. Out-of-state students pay $32,433. Median ACT: 30.
7. University of Virginia-Main Campus
Charlottesville, Virginia
University of Virginia-Main Campus graduates 95% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $21,742 per year. Out-of-state students pay $34,832. Median ACT: 33.
8. Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, Virginia
Virginia Commonwealth University graduates 65% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $15,754 per year. Out-of-state students pay $29,782. Median ACT: 26.
9. George Mason University
Fairfax, Virginia
George Mason University graduates 69% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $17,035 per year. Out-of-state students pay $38,986. Median ACT: 28.
10. Radford University
Radford, Virginia
Radford University graduates 50% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $12,942 per year. Out-of-state students pay $22,171. Median ACT: 22.
How were these colleges ranked?
These rankings score each public four-year college in Virginia by dividing its six-year graduation rate by its in-state tuition per thousand dollars. A school graduating 60% of students at $10,000 in-state tuition scores 6.0; one graduating 60% at $20,000 scores 3.0. Higher score means more degree completions per dollar spent.
Data comes from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), the federal government’s official higher education database. Graduation rates reflect the most recent six-year cohort. Only public four-year bachelor’s-granting institutions with at least 100 students in the graduation cohort are included. The ranking covers 16 qualifying public institutions in Virginia.
Source: IPEDS — National Center for Education Statistics
Data from IPEDS 2022 reporting year. Published September 2026.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only. Information and conditions are subject to change. Verify current details directly with the relevant source before making any decisions.
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