Harrisonburg is home to James Madison University and Eastern Mennonite University, and is also near colleges like Bridgewater College, Blue Ridge Community College, Massanutten Technical College, National College of Business and Technology, and down the road, Mary Baldwin. Living in a college town costs less than the average! Many college towns around the nation have reported relatively low home prices on typical 4-bedroom homes, and Harrisonburg is no exception.

Here are some insights into what 4-bedroom homes cost on average in 2009 and where:

• Syracuse, N.Y (Syracuse University): $171,711
• South Bend, Ind. (University of Notre Dame): $183,938
• Athens, Ga. (University of Georgia): $205,862
• Oxford, Miss. (University of Mississippi): $212,000
• Knoxville, Tenn. (University of Tennessee): $223,850

A 4-bedroom home in the City of Harrisonburg has an average selling price of $252,181 and a median selling price of $232,500. Add to that the location in the Shenandoah Valley, and great amenities nearby like vineyards, championship golf courses, Massanutten Resort, and a plethora of historical sites, and you’ve got yourself a fabulous deal!

Interested in seeing more? Review a list of the top 10 most affordable college markets for home prices in 2009 (and the top 10 most expensive).

Image credit: taberandrew