Best Value Teacher Education and Professional Development Colleges in Virginia

Norfolk State University stands out among Virginia's teacher education programs with a remarkable net cost of just $12,973, making it the most affordable option in the state. The earnings gap between programs reaches $17,632, with Regent University graduates earning $41,667 compared to Virginia State University's $24,035. Virginia's proximity to federal agencies and defense contractors creates unique opportunities for specialized subject area teachers, particularly in STEM fields where companies like Northrop Grumman actively support educational initiatives. Public universities dominate the value equation, with seven of the eight most affordable programs coming from state institutions. The state's VTAG grant system helps bridge costs at private colleges, though significant price differences persist across the 18 programs available.

Programs

$12,973 – $32,145

Net Price Range

$33,145

Avg. Program Earnings

50.7%

Avg. Graduation Rate

18 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Regent University Virginia Beach, Virginia	$18,749	$41,667	$20,686	54.1%	32.3%
2	Old Dominion University Norfolk, Virginia	$14,170	$31,218	$12,262	44.4%	95.1%
3	George Mason University Fairfax, Virginia	$18,287	$40,017	$13,815	69.3%	90.0%
4	Radford University Radford, Virginia	$16,640	$28,462	$12,286	49.6%	93.3%
5	Virginia State University Petersburg, Virginia	$14,553	$24,035	$9,755	40.7%	89.7%
6	Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, Virginia	$19,452	$30,698	$16,458	65.4%	91.0%
7	Ferrum College Ferrum, Virginia	$22,085	$30,771	$38,320	28.9%	84.3%
8	Shenandoah University Winchester, Virginia	$30,055	$38,289	$36,028	70.5%	80.4%
9	University of Lynchburg Lynchburg, Virginia	$20,187		$35,540	61.6%	95.9%
10	Virginia Union University Richmond, Virginia	$19,580		$14,880	41.3%	80.6%
11	Roanoke College Salem, Virginia	$27,786		$36,774	65.9%	79.8%
12	Norfolk State University Norfolk, Virginia	$12,973		$9,910	32.7%	89.5%
13	Averett University Danville, Virginia	$23,262		$38,550	43.6%	76.0%
14	Longwood University Farmville, Virginia	$20,814		$15,200	61.6%	87.8%
15	Hampton University Hampton, Virginia	$32,145		$29,162	55.7%	74.5%
16	Eastern Mennonite University Harrisonburg, Virginia	$23,615		$41,860	47.1%	99.5%
17	Emory & Henry University Emory, Virginia	$20,591		$35,280	53.8%	96.9%
18	Bluefield University Bluefield, Virginia	$22,198		$29,696	27.1%	63.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Norfolk State University such a standout value for teacher education?

Norfolk State offers the lowest net cost at $12,973 while maintaining an 89.50% acceptance rate. The university serves the Hampton Roads region where naval and aerospace industries create demand for specialized educators. Public funding keeps costs minimal compared to private alternatives that can exceed $30,000 annually.

How do graduation rates vary between affordable and expensive programs?

George Mason University achieves a 69.30% graduation rate at a $18,287 net cost, while Norfolk State graduates just 32.70% of students despite its low price. Shenandoah University leads with 70.50% graduation rates but costs $30,055. The correlation between price and completion rates proves inconsistent across Virginia's teacher education market.

Does Virginia State University offer competitive earning potential despite low costs?

Virginia State graduates earn $24,035 annually, the lowest among programs with available data, despite a reasonable net cost of $14,553. The university maintains an 89.72% acceptance rate and serves Petersburg's educational needs. Students carry $27,524 in debt, which may challenge the overall value proposition given earning outcomes.

Where do Virginia's teacher education graduates find the highest-paying positions?

Regent University graduates command the highest salaries at $41,667, followed by George Mason at $40,017 and Shenandoah at $38,289. Northern Virginia's proximity to federal agencies and defense contractors drives these premium salaries. The Hampton Roads naval region also supports competitive teacher compensation, particularly for STEM subject specialists.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.