Colleges in Virginia
Why go to College in Virginia?
With close proximity to large cities like Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia, PA, the state of Virginia has long played a central role in the United States' economy. The state is home to several of the country's oldest and most prestigious universities, including the University of Virginia and the College of William and Mary. Virginia is also one of 15 states that participate in the Southern Regional Education Board's Academic Common Market, a tuition savings program that allows out-of-state students to pay in-state tuition. Whether students attend on-campus or online classes, Virginia offers an abundance of rich resources to its students.
What Options are Available for Colleges in Virginia?
On-Campus
With large universities like Virginia Tech — and smaller schools like the Virginia Military Institute — the state offers students a wide variety of institutions and degree programs. Attending classes on-campus is often a smart decision for students who require a more structured learning environment, who would like to experience a traditional college social life, or who want to participate in collegiate extracurricular activities such as intramural sports. On-campus programs are also good options for those who can live on or near campus, and who can easily attend regular in-person classes and meetings.
Online Programs
In addition to the state's many beautiful campuses, there are also several quality online colleges in Virginia. Online programs are a good idea for students who live far away from campus, who have family and career obligations, or who need to balance classes with a busy schedule. This is also a smart option for students who are self-motivated and require less structure in their learning experiences.
Online programs may involve synchronous or asynchronous learning. Synchronous learning refers to coursework that is delivered within a set time frame; often, synchronous courses require students to be online interacting with their instructor or peers at scheduled times. Asynchronous learning allows students to complete coursework at their own pace. Occasionally, online programs also have a few in-person components, such as lab or volunteer work.
Hybrid Programs
For students who need more flexibility than traditional on-campus college experiences, hybrid programs are another valuable learning option. These programs offer a unique format that blends online learning with on-campus or in-person courses, labs, internships, or other activities. Many degrees, such as those in education or medicine, offer hybrid programs when coursework cannot be adequately taught solely through online classes.
Hybrid programs typically involve both synchronous and asynchronous learning, with certain courses taught exclusively online and other courses taught exclusively on-campus. This learning format often benefits students with semi-flexible schedules and who want to enjoy the advantages of both online learning and traditional on-campus life.
Popular Degree Programs in Virginia
Each of Virginia's geographical regions features industries distinct to its location. The coastal region's strongest industries include shipbuilding, tourism, and military bases, the latter of which employs more people than any other industry in the state. Other regions in Virginia have strong industries in farming, coal, and technology. Both traditional and online colleges in Virginia often offer degree options that align with — and offer connections to — professionals in these industries.
International Relations This interdisciplinary major studies the complex ways global, domestic, and regional communities interact with one another politically, economically, and culturally. Because of the state's close proximity to Washington, D.C., many Virginia schools offer an array of resources and opportunities for internships, travel, and other educational experiences in the field of international relations.
Economics Economics involves the study of economic theories and methods, capitalism, and analysis of trade and manufacturing. This major's popularity is partly due to the state's strong coal, farming, and technology industries. Washington, D.C. is also a major draw, with several academic and governmental resources in the field of economics.
What are the Best Online Colleges in Virginia?
Finding the right college for your academic, financial, and career needs and goals can be overwhelming. This section provides you with a list of the best online schools in Virginia, with information about the structure of the online programs, noteworthy programs, admission requirements, and unique facts about each school. The list also provides you with convenient statistics for each college. If you are interested in enrolling at one the many quality online schools in Virginia, this guide can help you find a school that fits your educational needs.
Top 10 Online Colleges in Virginia for 2019
Admissions Rate
30%
Graduation Rate
93%
Online Enrollment
3%
Retention Rate
97%
Default Rate
2%
Located in Charlottesville, UVA offers several online degrees , including two bachelor's degrees, five undergraduate certificates, and eight graduate certificates. The two online bachelor's programs, the bachelor of interdisciplinary studies (BIS) and the bachelor of professional studies in health management (BPHM), have different admission requirements. The BIS requires that students have graduated from high school at least four years prior to applying. Applicants to this program must have completed at least 60 transferable credits with a minimum 2.0 GPA. The BPHM requires students to have earned an associate degree in a related field with 60 transferable credits and a minimum 3.0 GPA.
BIS and BPHM students pay the same tuition regardless of state residency. Several scholarships, financial aid, and payment plans are available. Students at this online college in Virginia have access to resources including the library and disability services.
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What are the Best Online Community Colleges in Virginia?
If you feel like you are not ready to enroll in a university, a community college may be the right choice. Universities offer associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees, while community colleges typically offer associate degrees and certifications. A community college also offers general education classes that students can eventually transfer to a four-year university. Community college classes tend to be cheaper than university classes and can help save you money. Below is a list of the best community colleges in Virginia, with information about degrees offered, student support services, and more.
Top 9 Online Community Colleges in Virginia for 2019
Graduation Rate
40%
Online Enrollment
13%
Retention Rate
67%
Catering primarily to Shenandoah Valley and the Piedmonts, Lord Fairfax Community College operates four campuses and serves seven counties, with a little over 7,000 students currently enrolled. LFCC also maintains one of the most extensive distance learning programs among online community colleges in Virginia. In addition to five certificate programs, the school offers associate degrees in liberal arts, education, general studies, and business administration — both online and in person.
Students willing to complete some coursework on campus can also earn mostly online associate degrees in fields such as administration of justice, fine arts, health information management, early childhood education, and information technology. LFCC offers open enrollment and delivers all online coursework asynchronously.
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How We Ranked the Schools
To determine the best programs, we looked at the most important factors prospective students, mainly common predictors of future success and a school's commitment to online programs. This boils down to admissions rate, student loan default rate, retention rate, graduation rate, and the percent of students enrolled in online classes. All data points are taken from information provided by colleges and universities to the National Center for Education Statistics.
Each factor is weighted evenly in order to give an objective view and determine the best online master's in management information systems programs. To calculate our rankings, we looked at a school's ranking when organized by a single factor, and then averaged each category's ranking to find an overall score: Admissions Rate (20%) + Default Rate (20%) + Retention Rate (20%) + Graduation Rate (20%) + Percent of Students Enrolled in Online Classes (20%) = Final score.
Education Trends in Virginia
Virginia spends less annually on each full-time college student than the national average, and the state's percentage of tax revenue allocated to higher education is also less than the national average. However, Virginia's residents tend to be better educated than the average adult in the U.S., with 21% of adults over the age of 25 holding a bachelor's degree and 15.4% of adults holding a graduate degree.
| Virginia | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary Education Spending per Full-Time Student | $4,911 | $6,954 |
| Percent of Tax Revenue Allocated to Higher Education | 4.75% | 5.8% |
| Percentage of adults over 25 with associate degree | 7.3% | 8.1% |
| Percentage of adults over 25 with bachelor's degree | 21% | 18.5% |
| Percentage of adults over 25 with graduate degree or higher | 15.4% | 11.2% |
| Source: SHEEO and U.S. Census | ||
Paying for College in Virginia
Tuition costs are one of the most important factors to consider when choosing either an on-campus or an online college. Virginia's average tuition of $12,323 per year at a four-year institution falls slightly above the national average. However, many of the state's university towns have relatively affordable costs of living, which can reduce the overall annual costs. Additionally, through financial aid and application support, the State Council of Higher Education in Virginia supports students and parents paying tuition to Virginia colleges.
Tuition Prices
Tuition costs in Virginia are slightly above the national average, although the state's average tuition is still far from the most expensive in the nation. It's also important to keep in mind that the table below does not include costs for books, transportation, rent, food, or other cost-of-living items.
Financial Aid
No matter where you live, financial aid is always a possibility to help finance your degree. The first step is to complete a FAFSA form, which determines your eligibility for federal grants, scholarships, and loans. There are also several private organizations and lenders that offer funding for college students.
Loans are borrowed money that you will eventually repay with interest. Scholarships, on the other hand, do not need to be repaid, and money is often awarded based on academic merit. Similarly, grants do not need to be repaid, and are based on a student's financial needs or academic merits. Because it is essentially free money, scholarships and grants should be pursued first when considering financial aid for college.
Cost for Online Programs in Virginia
Financial aid opportunities, including FAFSA applications, scholarships, and grants, are available for students in both on-campus programs and online programs in Virginia. While the tuition for online programs and on-campus programs may be the same, students can often save money attending online programs. Students enrolled in online programs in Virginia can save money on transportation, rent, and childcare, while living in convenient, affordable locations that fit their career, financial, and family needs.
Cost of Living by Region
Depending on where you choose to go to college, your cost of living will vary. Cost of living can have a significant impact on the overall cost of a college education, as it includes daily expenses like food, rent, transportation, books, and technology needs. These expenses can add to student debt and affect your career options after graduation. In general, large cities tend to have a higher cost of living than small towns in rural areas. Many Virginia cities and towns also have a lower cost of living than other east coast cities.
Scholarships for Virginia College Students
Can all Scholarships be Used for Online Programs?
Most scholarships can be used for any type of program at on-campus or online colleges in Virginia. To make sure that you are eligible for a particular scholarship, check each award's guidelines. You should also consider which scholarships might be available through the Virginia college you choose, as many schools offer special funding for their enrolled students. Finally, colleges often offer scholarships for students pursuing specific, high-need fields, such as math, science, engineering, or environmental studies.
Employment Outlook in Virginia
Virginia's unemployment rate is lower than the national average, and its annual mean wage is slightly higher than the national average. This data indicates the state has a favorable amount of job opportunities for recent college graduates. The state's top industries are agriculture, aerospace, and real estate. Additionally, while not mentioned in the charts below, Virginia maintains large mining, technology, and retail trade industries. These industries offer several career and internship opportunities for students interested in pursuing the fields of engineering, aerospace, information technology, business, and economics. For example, NASA Langley in Hampton, VA offers several internship and fellowship opportunities through its student programs.
| Virginia | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate, May 2017 | 3.8% | 4.3% |
| Annual Mean Wage, May 2016 | $53,090 | $49,630 |
| Source: BLS and BLS | ||
Top Employers and Industries in Virginia
Top Industries in Virginia
Agriculture : According to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, agriculture is the state's largest industry, earning $70 billion per year and providing over 334,000 jobs. Farmland covers around 32% of Virginia's landscape.
Aerospace: There are over 285 aerospace companies in Virginia. YesVirginia.org identifies this industry as one of the largest in the state. The aerospace industry goes back to 1917, when the first civil aeronautics laboratory in the country was established in Hampton.
Real Estate: According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the largest industry in Virginia in 2016 was the real estate industry, which includes the finance, insurance, real estate, rental, and leasing sectors.
Top Employers in Virginia
U.S. Department of Defense: The DOD employs more people than any other industry in the state. The Pentagon is located in Arlington, and the state is home to multiple other military establishments, including Norfolk's large naval base.
Walmart: This global corporation maintains an active presence in Virginia's major cities and, according to its website , employs over 45,000 people throughout the state. Because of Walmart and several other retail establishments, retail trade is another of the state's larger industries.
Fairfax County Public Schools: The Fairfax school system is home to over 200,000 students, making it the 10th largest school district in the country. According to Fairfax County , they employ around 27,500 individuals and has one of the largest organization of bus drivers in the U.S.
Accreditation for Colleges in Virginia
It's crucial to make sure that any on-campus or online college you choose to attend in Virginia is accredited. Accreditation is a rigorous process that ensures colleges comply with a set of academic standards. Attending an accredited institution is important because many graduate programs and employers do not accept degrees from nonaccredited schools. Additionally, an accredited school guarantees that you receive a quality education.
Schools in the U.S. can be nationally or regionally accredited. While both types of accreditation have value, regional accreditation is more prestigious. While nationally accredited schools accept degrees from institutions with either national or regional accreditation, regionally accredited schools only accept degrees from other schools with regional accreditation.
Online schools in Virginia undergo the same accreditation process as on-campus programs. When choosing an online school in this state, look for universities that are regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges . This agency accredits colleges in Virginia and other states in the southern United States.
Resources for Students in Virginia
State Council of HIgher Education for Virginia: This council coordinates Virginia's higher education system and provides resources for students to find the right schools for their needs and prepare and pay for college.
Gear Up Virginia: GUV increases college enrollment in Virginia by supporting low-income families and communities. Gear Up offers college preparatory classes to middle school and high school students, and supports college students during their first year of enrollment.
Virginia Department of Veterans Services: This resource helps veterans transition into college. The website offers tips on how to find specialized mental health services, academic strategies, and more.
Transitions Services for Students with Disabilities: Part of the Virginia Department of Education, this organization provides college planning resource guides for individuals with disabilities interested in or already enrolled in on-campus or online schools in Virginia. The website provides links for legal resources, as well as a guide to disability-friendly colleges.
Southern Regional Education Board Electronic Campus and Adult Learners: The Southern Regional Education Board works with states in the southern U.S. to improve the quality of higher education. This website provides support for nontraditional students interested in or already attending one of the many online schools in Virginia.