Colleges in Virginia
Virginia's higher education system is one of the strongest in the South, led by the University of Virginia and Virginia Tech — both nationally recognized for academic quality and graduate outcomes. Proximity to Washington D.C. creates unique opportunities in government, defense, consulting, and tech, with Amazon's HQ2 in Arlington creating thousands of high-paying jobs for recent graduates.
Top Colleges in Virginia by Enrollment
| School | |
|---|---|
Liberty University Lynchburg, VA · Private Non-Profit | View → |
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VA · Public | View → |
George Mason University Fairfax, VA · Public | View → |
James Madison University Harrisonburg, VA · Public | View → |
Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VA · Public | View → |
University of Virginia-Main Campus Charlottesville, VA · Public | View → |
Old Dominion University Norfolk, VA · Public | View → |
William & Mary Williamsburg, VA · Public | View → |
Radford University Radford, VA · Public | View → |
Norfolk State University Norfolk, VA · Public | View → |
Virginia State University Petersburg, VA · Public | View → |
Regent University Virginia Beach, VA · Private Non-Profit | View → |
Christopher Newport University Newport News, VA · Public | View → |
Hampton University Hampton, VA · Private Non-Profit | View → |
University of Mary Washington Fredericksburg, VA · Public | View → |
Longwood University Farmville, VA · Public | View → |
University of Richmond University of Richmond, VA · Private Non-Profit | View → |
Shenandoah University Winchester, VA · Private Non-Profit | View → |
Washington and Lee University Lexington, VA · Private Non-Profit | View → |
Marymount University Arlington, VA · Private Non-Profit | View → |
Frequently Asked Questions — Colleges in Virginia
How many colleges are in Virginia?
Virginia has 52+ bachelor's degree-granting colleges and universities. Virginia Tech's engineering program and UVA's McIntire School of Commerce are both top-10 nationally, making Virginia a standout state for business and engineering majors.
What is the cheapest college in Virginia?
Average net prices at Virginia colleges range from under $10,000/year at some public schools for in-state students to over $35,000 at private institutions. Use the DecideMyCampus search to filter VA schools by net price and find the most affordable option for your income level.
What is the best public university in Virginia?
University of Virginia is widely considered the flagship public university in Virginia. However, "best" depends on your major, budget, and priorities. Use DecideMyCampus to compare all VA public schools by graduation rates, earnings, and cost.
Do Virginia colleges offer in-state tuition?
Yes — public universities in Virginia offer significantly lower tuition for residents. In-state tuition savings can be $10,000–$25,000 per year compared to out-of-state rates. The DecideMyCampus school pages show both in-state and out-of-state tuition costs.
College Cities in Virginia
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