Cheapest Teacher Education and Professional Development Colleges in Virginia

Norfolk State University breaks the mold for teacher education affordability with a net price of just $12,973, making it the clear budget leader among Virginia's 20 programs. The cost gap between public and private options spans over $10,000, with private institutions like University of Lynchburg reaching $20,187 despite offering the highest graduate earnings at $32,925. Virginia's teacher education programs benefit from the state's proximity to federal education initiatives and defense contractors who often hire education specialists for training roles. Public universities dominate the affordable end, with Old Dominion University following closely at $14,170, while William & Mary achieves a remarkable 91% graduation rate at $22,529. The VTAG grant provides additional support for students choosing private colleges, helping bridge some of the cost divide. Virginia's education sector connects directly to major regional employers like Inova Health, which requires extensive training program development.

Programs

$12,973 – $32,145

Net Price Range

$28,798

Avg. Program Earnings

55.3%

Avg. Graduation Rate

22 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Norfolk State University Norfolk, Virginia	$12,973	$9,910	32.7%	89.5%
2	Old Dominion University Norfolk, Virginia	$14,170	$12,262	44.4%	95.1%
3	George Mason University Fairfax, Virginia	$18,287	$13,815	69.3%	90.0%
4	Randolph College Lynchburg, Virginia	$18,436	$29,010	51.5%	95.0%
5	Regent University Virginia Beach, Virginia	$18,749	$20,686	54.1%	32.3%
6	Virginia Union University Richmond, Virginia	$19,580	$14,880	41.3%	80.6%
7	University of Lynchburg Lynchburg, Virginia	$20,187	$35,540	61.6%	95.9%
8	Emory & Henry University Emory, Virginia	$20,591	$35,280	53.8%	96.9%
9	Longwood University Farmville, Virginia	$20,814	$15,200	61.6%	87.8%
10	James Madison University Harrisonburg, Virginia	$21,816	$13,576	80.9%	78.3%
11	Ferrum College Ferrum, Virginia	$22,085	$38,320	28.9%	84.3%
12	Bluefield University Bluefield, Virginia	$22,198	$29,696	27.1%	63.0%
13	William & Mary Williamsburg, Virginia	$22,529	$25,040	91.0%	33.5%
14	Averett University Danville, Virginia	$23,262	$38,550	43.6%	76.0%
15	Sweet Briar College Sweet Briar, Virginia	$23,383	$25,110	48.1%	75.8%
16	Southern Virginia University Buena Vista, Virginia	$24,014	$20,040	38.3%	99.5%
17	Marymount University Arlington, Virginia	$25,153	$39,050	57.9%	81.4%
18	Randolph-Macon College Ashland, Virginia	$27,759	$48,002	74.6%	85.5%
19	Roanoke College Salem, Virginia	$27,786	$36,774	65.9%	79.8%
20	Liberty University Lynchburg, Virginia	$29,552	$21,222	63.5%	99.3%
21	Shenandoah University Winchester, Virginia	$30,055	$36,028	70.5%	80.4%
22	Hampton University Hampton, Virginia	$32,145	$29,162	55.7%	74.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Norfolk State University so much cheaper than other teacher education programs?

Norfolk State University offers the lowest net price at $12,973 with an in-state tuition of just $9,910. The university maintains high accessibility with an 89.5% acceptance rate while serving a significant population of students who qualify for need-based aid. As a public historically black university, Norfolk State receives state funding that helps keep costs down for teacher preparation programs.

How do graduation rates compare between the cheapest and most expensive programs?

The cheapest option, Norfolk State University at $12,973, has a 32.7% graduation rate, while more expensive programs show mixed results. James Madison University achieves an 80.9% graduation rate at $21,816, and William & Mary reaches 91% at $22,529. However, University of Lynchburg at $20,187 graduates 61.6% of students with the highest reported earnings at $32,925.

Is the cost difference between public and private schools worth it for teacher education?

Public schools average around $15,000-$22,000 while private institutions range from $18,000-$23,000 in net costs. University of Lynchburg graduates earn $32,925, significantly higher than typical teacher salaries of $24,671-$32,925 range. Private schools like Regent University offer smaller class sizes with a 32.34% acceptance rate, but public options like George Mason provide similar outcomes at $18,287.

Does Virginia's location near Washington DC affect teacher education opportunities?

Virginia's proximity to federal agencies creates unique opportunities for education majors in government training roles and policy work. Major defense contractors like Northrop Grumman and Booz Allen regularly hire education specialists for corporate training programs. The state's 20 teacher education programs benefit from internship opportunities in both traditional schools and federal education initiatives. This regional advantage helps explain why some Virginia graduates earn above the national average.

Where can students find the best value among Virginia's teacher education programs?

Old Dominion University offers strong value at $14,170 with a 44.4% graduation rate and 95.14% acceptance rate. George Mason University provides excellent outcomes at $18,287 with a 69.3% graduation rate in the competitive Northern Virginia market. For students prioritizing graduation rates, James Madison University at $21,816 delivers 80.9% completion with reasonable costs for a public institution.

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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.