POPULATION (2021): 8.7 million
CAPITAL: Richmond
Virginia is a populous Eastern state with plenty of coastlines and a relatively low cost of living compared to some of its neighbors to the north. Eight U.S. presidents were born in Virginia, bordering the District of Columbia, so there remains a heavy political influence in northern Virginia.
Some of this influence affects the college landscape, as several Virginia colleges and universities are touted for their political science programs, but there’s undoubtedly something for everyone looking to attend college in this large state.
Universities in Virginia – 4-Year Colleges and Online
There are a whopping 97 four-year colleges and universities in Virginia, in addition to more than 100 more places of higher learning. The majority of universities offer some form of hybrid, online education. Here’s a closer look.
Public Universities in Virginia
The University of Virginia, located in Charlottesville, highlights the long list of 4-year, public colleges in Virginia, but there are many more, and the section below will separate them by location.
Norfolk State University, James Madison University, Virginia State, Old Dominion University, and Virginia Commonwealth University are some of the larger schools offering a more traditional college experience.
Private Universities in Virginia
Private colleges are in no short supply in Virginia, either, with George Washington University, Liberty, Stratford University, the University of Richmond, and Washington and Lee as some examples. The majority of the private universities are in or near the capital city of Richmond, or the Washington, D.C. suburbs that happen to have Virginia addresses.
Community Colleges in Virginia
The Virginia Community College system is quite robust, just like the 4-year college and university offerings in Virginia. There are 23 campuses in the Virginia Community College system, and all fields of study offer some online alternatives for individuals with busy schedules to be able to learn on their own time. The average cost is about $4,500 per year, and some of the campuses even have some 4-year degree programs!
Prominent Online Colleges in Virginia
Virginia is not home to any fully-online universities, but the vast majority of the public universities have hybrid programs allowing for some to most of a student’s studies to be completed online. As far as private universities in Virginia with online programs, Liberty University and Regent University top the list for fully online program offerings, though almost all of the colleges have some online offerings.
Universities in Arlington, VA
Arlington, VA is home to four, four-year colleges and universities, spread throughout the city, meaning you’re never far from campus. Marymount is a private, Catholic university with four-year programs, and Strayer and Chamberlain Universities also lie within the county.
DeVry University and The University of Management and Technology are two specialized schools in Arlington that also offer bachelor’s degrees within their respective niches.
Universities in Lynchburg, VA
The aforementioned Liberty University, pictured here, is the biggest college in Lynchburg, but you can also get a 4-year degree at any of these colleges and universities in Lynchburg:
- Randolph College
- University of Lynchburg
- Virginia University of Lynchburg
- Centra College of Nursing
Universities in Newport News, VA
With a heavy reliance on industry and shipbuilding, a lot of the jobs in the Newport News area require on-the-job training more than a 4-year degree, however, there is one university in Newport News that offers bachelor’s programs, and that’s Christopher Newport University (not a coincidence).
Universities in Norfolk, VA
Norfolk is still a military town no matter how you spin it, but there are two large colleges in the city, too. Norfolk State University definitely offers a traditional college town feel on and around its campus, and Old Dominion University is a bit smaller, but also is very much a traditional school. These two universities are the only options for 4-year degrees in Norfolk.
Universities in Richmond, VA
Colleges in Richmond, VA include Virginia Commonwealth University, the University of Richmond, and Virginia State University. Famous alumni include Douglas S. Freeman, Charles Stanley, 2 Chainz, and Gladys Mae West. Popular majors in Richmond are General Psychology, General Business, and General Biological Sciences.
Universities in Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia Beach is home to ECPI University, Bryant & Stratton College – Virginia Beach, and Regent University. As the name suggests, a lot of students in this part of the state enjoy their time by the coast.
Get to Know Virginia
In addition to the coast, Virginia has some beautiful rolling hills and a lot of green trees that turn into every color imaginable in the autumn. Virginia is also a very diverse state in the sense that some cities are very prim-and-proper like Vienna, while some are extremely industrial such as Newport News, and others have a counterculture feel like much of Richmond.
If you’re going to college without fully knowing who you are (which is very normal), Virginia is a great place to meet people from all walks of life and find your path.
| Institution Name | City | State | Website | Degree Levels Offered | Modality | Profit Status (CNTLAFFI) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced Technology Institute | Virginia Beach | VA | www.auto.edu | Certificates Associates |
Campus | No |
| American Massage & Bodywork Institute | Vienna | VA | www.ambimassageschool.com | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| American National University | Salem | VA | www.an.edu | Certificates Associates Bachelors Masters |
Hybrid | No |
| Another Level Barbering and Cosmetology School | Petersburg | VA | www.albcschool.com | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Appalachian College of Pharmacy | Oakwood | VA | www.acp.edu | Doctorate |
Campus | No |
| Appalachian School of Law | Grundy | VA | www.asl.edu | Masters Doctorate |
Campus | No |
| Averett University | Danville | VA | www.averett.edu | Associates Bachelors |
Campus | No |
| Averett University-Non-Traditional Programs | Danville | VA | gps.averett.edu | Associates Bachelors Masters |
Online | No |
| Avi Career Training | Great Falls | VA | www.AviCareerTraining.com | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Chesapeake | Chesapeake | VA | www.aviationmaintenance.edu | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Manassas | Manassas | VA | www.aviationmaintenance.edu | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Bethel College | Hampton | VA | bcva.edu | Certificates Associates Bachelors |
Hybrid | No |
| Blue Ridge Community College | Weyers Cave | VA | www.brcc.edu | Certificates Associates |
Campus | No |
| Bluefield College | Bluefield | VA | www.bluefield.edu | Associates Bachelors Masters |
Campus | No |
| Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing | Richmond | VA | www.bsmcon.edu | Bachelors |
Online | No |
| Bon Secours St Mary's Hospital School of Medical Imaging | Richmond | VA | www.mysomi.org | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Bridgewater College | Bridgewater | VA | www.bridgewater.edu | Bachelors Masters |
Campus | No |
| Bristol School of Hair Design | Bristol | VA | www.bristolschoolofhairdesign.com | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach | Virginia Beach | VA | www.bryantstratton.edu | Certificates Associates Bachelors |
Campus | No |
| Cayce/Reilly School of Massage | Virginia Beach | VA | www.edgarcayce.org | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Centra College of Nursing | Lynchburg | VA | www.centrahealth.com | Certificates Associates Bachelors |
Hybrid | No |
| Central School of Practical Nursing | Norfolk | VA | www.npsk12.com | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Central Virginia Community College | Lynchburg | VA | www.centralvirginia.edu | Certificates Associates |
Campus | No |
| Centura College-Chesapeake | Chesapeake | VA | www.centuracollege.edu | Certificates Associates Bachelors |
Campus | No |
| Centura College-Newport News | Newport News | VA | www.centuracollege.edu | Certificates Associates |
Campus | No |
| Centura College-Norfolk | Norfolk | VA | www.centuracollege.edu | Certificates Associates |
Campus | No |
| Centura College-Richmond Main | Richmond | VA | www.centuracollege.edu | Certificates Associates |
Campus | No |
| Centura College-Virginia Beach | Virginia Beach | VA | www.centuracollege.edu | Certificates Associates Bachelors |
Campus | No |
| CET-Alexandria | Alexandria | VA | cetweb.edu | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Chamberlain University-Virginia | Arlington | VA | www.chamberlain.edu | Bachelors |
Campus | No |
| Chester Career College | CHESTER | VA | chestercareercollege.edu | Certificates Associates |
Campus | No |
| Christopher Newport University | Newport News | VA | cnu.edu | Bachelors Masters |
Campus | No |
| Columbia College | Vienna | VA | www.ccdc.edu | Certificates Associates |
Campus | No |
| Columbia College | Centreville | VA | www.ccdc.edu | Certificates Associates |
Campus | No |
| Culpeper Cosmetology Training Center | Culpeper | VA | www.culpepercosmetology.com | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Dabney S Lancaster Community College | Clifton Forge | VA | www.dslcc.edu | Certificates Associates |
Campus | No |
| Danville Community College | Danville | VA | www.danville.edu | Certificates Associates |
Campus | No |
| Dermal Science International Aesthetics and Nail Academy | Reston | VA | dsiacademy.edu | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| DeVry University-Virginia | Arlington | VA | www.devry.edu | Associates Bachelors Masters |
Campus | No |
| Divine Mercy University | Sterling | VA | www.divinemercy.edu | Masters Doctorate |
Hybrid | No |
| Eastern Mennonite University | Harrisonburg | VA | emu.edu | Certificates Associates Bachelors Masters Doctorate |
Campus | No |
| Eastern Shore Community College | Melfa | VA | www.es.vccs.edu | Certificates Associates |
Campus | No |
| Eastern Virginia Career College | Fredericksburg | VA | www.evcc.edu | Certificates Associates |
Campus | No |
| Eastern Virginia Medical School | Norfolk | VA | www.evms.edu | Masters Doctorate |
Online | No |
| ECPI University | Virginia Beach | VA | www.ecpi.edu | Certificates Associates Bachelors Masters |
Hybrid | No |
| Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine | Blacksburg | VA | www.vcom.edu | Doctorate |
Campus | No |
| Emory & Henry College | Emory | VA | www.ehc.edu | Bachelors Masters Doctorate |
Campus | No |
| Empire Beauty School-Midlothian | Midlothian | VA | www.empire.edu | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Empire Beauty School-Richmond | Richmond | VA | www.empire.edu | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Empire Beauty School-Virginia Beach | Virginia Beach | VA | www.empire.edu | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Fairfax University of America | Fairfax | VA | www.fxua.edu | Certificates Bachelors Masters |
Online | No |
| Ferrum College | Ferrum | VA | www.ferrum.edu | Bachelors |
Campus | No |
| Fortis College-Norfolk | Norfolk | VA | www.fortisedu.info | Certificates Associates |
Campus | No |
| Fortis College-Richmond | Richmond | VA | www.fortis.edu | Certificates Associates |
Campus | No |
| George Mason University | Fairfax | VA | www2.gmu.edu | Bachelors Masters Doctorate |
Campus | No |
| Germanna Community College | Locust Grove | VA | www.germanna.edu | Certificates Associates |
Campus | No |
| Hampden-Sydney College | Hampden-Sydney | VA | www.hsc.edu | Bachelors |
Campus | No |
| Hampton University | Hampton | VA | www.hamptonu.edu | Certificates Associates Bachelors Masters Doctorate |
Campus | No |
| Henrico County-Saint Marys Hospital School of Practical Nursing | Henrico | VA | blogs.henrico.k12.va.us | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Hollins University | Roanoke | VA | www.hollins.edu | Bachelors Masters |
Campus | No |
| IGlobal University | Vienna | VA | www.igu.edu | Certificates Bachelors Masters |
Campus | No |
| Institute of Advanced Medical Esthetics | Ashland | VA | www.theinstituteofadvancedmedicalesthetics.com | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Richmond | VA | www.reynolds.edu | Certificates Associates |
Campus | No |
| James Madison University | Harrisonburg | VA | www.jmu.edu | Certificates Bachelors Masters Doctorate |
Campus | No |
| John Tyler Community College | Chester | VA | jtcc.edu | Certificates Associates |
Campus | No |
| Kenny's Beauty Academy | Arlington | VA | www.kennysbeautyacademy.com | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Liberty University | Lynchburg | VA | www.liberty.edu | Certificates Associates Bachelors Masters Doctorate |
Hybrid | No |
| Longwood University | Farmville | VA | www.longwood.edu | Bachelors Masters |
Campus | No |
| Lord Fairfax Community College | Middletown | VA | www.lfcc.edu | Certificates Associates |
Campus | No |
| Lotus School of Integrated Professions | Henrico | VA | lotusva.com | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Luckes Beauty Academy LLC | Newport News | VA | www.luckesbeautyacademy.com | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Mary Baldwin University | Staunton | VA | www.marybaldwin.edu | Certificates Bachelors Masters Doctorate |
Hybrid | No |
| Marymount University | Arlington | VA | www.marymount.edu | Certificates Bachelors Masters Doctorate |
Campus | No |
| Mountain Empire Community College | Big Stone Gap | VA | www.mecc.edu | Certificates Associates |
Campus | No |
| New River Community College | Dublin | VA | www.nr.edu | Certificates Associates |
Campus | No |
| Norfolk State University | Norfolk | VA | www.nsu.edu | Associates Bachelors Masters Doctorate |
Campus | No |
| Northern Virginia Community College | Annandale | VA | www.nvcc.edu | Certificates Associates |
Campus | No |
| Northern Virginia School of Therapeutic Massage | Falls Church | VA | www.nvschoolofmassage.com | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Old Dominion University | Norfolk | VA | www.odu.edu | Certificates Bachelors Masters Doctorate |
Campus | No |
| Patrick Henry College | Purcellville | VA | www.phc.edu | Bachelors |
Campus | No |
| Patrick Henry Community College | Martinsville | VA | www.patrickhenry.edu | Certificates Associates |
Campus | No |
| Paul D Camp Community College | Franklin | VA | www.pdc.edu | Certificates Associates |
Campus | No |
| Paul Mitchell the School-Roanoke | Roanoke | VA | roanoke.paulmitchell.edu | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Paul Mitchell the School-Tysons Corner | McLean | VA | paulmitchell.edu | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Paul Mitchell the School-Woodbridge | Woodbridge | VA | paulmitchell.edu | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Piedmont Virginia Community College | Charlottesville | VA | www.pvcc.edu | Certificates Associates |
Campus | No |
| Radford University | Radford | VA | www.radford.edu | Certificates Associates Bachelors Masters Doctorate |
Campus | No |
| Radford University-Carilion | Roanoke | VA | www.radford.edu | Certificates Associates Bachelors Masters Doctorate |
Campus | No |
| Randolph College | Lynchburg | VA | www.randolphcollege.edu | Bachelors Masters |
Campus | No |
| Randolph-Macon College | Ashland | VA | www.rmc.edu | Bachelors |
Campus | No |
| Rappahannock Community College | Glenns | VA | www.rappahannock.edu | Certificates Associates |
Campus | No |
| Regent University | Virginia Beach | VA | www.regent.edu | Associates Bachelors Masters Doctorate |
Online | No |
| Richard Bland College | South Prince George | VA | www.rbc.edu | Certificates Associates |
Campus | No |
| Riverside College of Health Careers | Newport News | VA | riverside.edu | Certificates Associates |
Campus | No |
| Roanoke College | Salem | VA | www.roanoke.edu | Bachelors |
Campus | No |
| Rudy & Kelly Academy-A Paul Mitchell Partner School | Virginia Beach | VA | paulmitchell.edu | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Saint Michael College of Allied Health | Alexandria | VA | www.stmichaelcollegeva.edu | Certificates Associates |
Campus | No |
| Sentara College of Health Sciences | Chesapeake | VA | www.sentara.edu | Associates Bachelors Masters |
Online | No |
| Shenandoah University | Winchester | VA | www.su.edu | Certificates Bachelors Masters Doctorate |
Campus | No |
| South University, Richmond | Glen Allen | VA | www.southuniversity.edu | Associates Bachelors Masters |
Campus | No |
| South University, Virginia Beach | Virginia Beach | VA | www.southuniversity.edu | Associates Bachelors Masters |
Campus | No |
| Southern Virginia University | Buena Vista | VA | www.svu.edu | Bachelors |
Campus | No |
| Southside College of Health Sciences | Colonial Heights | VA | www.srmconline.com | Associates |
Campus | No |
| Southside Virginia Community College | Alberta | VA | www.southside.edu | Certificates Associates |
Campus | No |
| Southwest Virginia Community College | Cedar Bluff | VA | sw.edu | Certificates Associates |
Campus | No |
| Sovah School of Health Professions | Danville | VA | www.sovahhealth.com | Associates |
Campus | No |
| Standard Healthcare Services-College of Nursing | Falls Church | VA | www.standardcollege.edu | Certificates Associates |
Campus | No |
| Staunton School of Cosmetology | Staunton | VA | hairstylingschool.com | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Stratford University | Fairfax | VA | www.stratford.edu | Certificates Associates Bachelors Masters |
Online | No |
| Strayer University-Virginia | Arlington | VA | www.strayer.edu | Certificates Associates Bachelors Masters |
Online | No |
| Suffolk Beauty Academy | Suffolk | VA | suffolkbeautyacademy.edu | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Sweet Briar College | Sweet Briar | VA | www.sbc.edu | Bachelors Masters |
Campus | No |
| Sylvain Melloul International Hair Academy | Lynchburg | VA | smiha.edu | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| The Art Institute of Virginia Beach | Virginia Beach | VA | www.artinstitutes.edu | Certificates Associates Bachelors |
Campus | No |
| The Chrysm Insitute of Esthetics | Virginia Beach | VA | www.chrysm.org | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| The Esthetic Institute | Vienna | VA | estheticinstitute.com | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| The University of Virginia's College at Wise | Wise | VA | www.uvawise.edu | Bachelors |
Campus | No |
| Thomas Nelson Community College | Hampton | VA | tncc.edu | Certificates Associates |
Campus | No |
| Tidewater Community College | Norfolk | VA | www.tcc.edu | Certificates Associates |
Campus | No |
| Tidewater Tech-Trades | Norfolk | VA | www.tidewatertechtrades.edu | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Tomorrow's Image Barber And Beauty Academy of Virginia | Newport News | VA | www.tomorrowsimage.com | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Union Presbyterian Seminary | Richmond | VA | www.upsem.edu | Masters Doctorate |
Campus | No |
| University of Lynchburg | Lynchburg | VA | www.lynchburg.edu | Certificates Bachelors Masters Doctorate |
Campus | No |
| University of Management and Technology | Arlington | VA | www.umtweb.edu | Certificates Associates Bachelors Masters Doctorate |
Online | No |
| University of Mary Washington | Fredericksburg | VA | www.umw.edu | Certificates Bachelors Masters |
Campus | No |
| University of Phoenix-Virginia | Virginia Beach | VA | www.phoenix.edu | Certificates Bachelors Masters |
Campus | No |
| University of Richmond | University of Richmond | VA | www.richmond.edu | Certificates Associates Bachelors Masters Doctorate |
Campus | No |
| University of the Potomac-VA Campus | FALLS CHURCH | VA | www.potomac.edu | Certificates Associates Bachelors Masters |
Online | No |
| University of Virginia-Main Campus | Charlottesville | VA | www.virginia.edu | Certificates Bachelors Masters Doctorate |
Campus | No |
| Virginia Beach City Public Schools School of Practical Nursing | Virginia Beach | VA | techcenter.vbschools.com | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Virginia Beach Theological Seminary | Virginia Beach | VA | www.vbts.edu | Certificates Masters |
Hybrid | No |
| Virginia Commonwealth University | Richmond | VA | www.vcu.edu | Certificates Bachelors Masters Doctorate |
Campus | No |
| Virginia Highlands Community College | Abingdon | VA | www.vhcc.edu | Certificates Associates |
Campus | No |
| Virginia Military Institute | Lexington | VA | www.vmi.edu | Bachelors |
Campus | No |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | Blacksburg | VA | WWW.VT.EDU | Associates Bachelors Masters Doctorate |
Hybrid | No |
| Virginia School of Hair Design | Hampton | VA | www.vshd.edu | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Virginia State University | Petersburg | VA | www.vsu.edu | Bachelors Masters Doctorate |
Campus | No |
| Virginia Union University | Richmond | VA | www.vuu.edu | Bachelors Masters Doctorate |
Campus | No |
| Virginia University of Integrative Medicine | Fairfax | VA | www.vuim.edu | Masters Doctorate |
Campus | No |
| Virginia University of Lynchburg | Lynchburg | VA | www.vul.edu | Certificates Associates Bachelors Masters Doctorate |
Online | No |
| Virginia Wesleyan University | Virginia Beach | VA | www.vwu.edu | Bachelors Masters |
Online | No |
| Virginia Western Community College | Roanoke | VA | virginiawestern.edu | Certificates Associates |
Campus | No |
| Washington and Lee University | Lexington | VA | www.wlu.edu | Bachelors Doctorate |
Campus | No |
| Wave Leadership College | Virginia Beach | VA | wavecollege.edu | Associates |
Campus | No |
| William & Mary | Williamsburg | VA | www.wm.edu | Bachelors Masters Doctorate |
Campus | No |
| Wytheville Community College | Wytheville | VA | www.wcc.vccs.edu | Certificates Associates |
Campus | No |