Explore Virginia Colleges
Colleges in Virginia
Explore 62 colleges and universities in Virginia, including 15 public institutions and 47 private schools. Compare tuition costs, acceptance rates, and find your perfect fit.
62
Total Colleges
15
Public
47
Private
Virginia at a Glance
Avg Acceptance Rate
5392%
Average acceptance rate for Virginia colleges
Avg Net Price
$22,235.52
After financial aid
Avg In-State Tuition
$20,873.733
For public universities
Virginia College Systems
Virginia has a major public university system that serve students across the state. Understanding these systems can help you find the right fit.
See how Virginia colleges compare head-to-head on acceptance rates, costs, and outcomes.
Virginia Colleges Directory
Browse 62 colleges in Virginia, sorted by ranking and selectivity.
Charlottesville, VA•Public
17%
Acceptance Rate$33,921/yr
1410-1540
93%
"Thomas Jefferson's Rotunda-centered vision where ambitious students swear by an ironclad Honor Code amid Virginia's rolling hills."
Williamsburg, VA•Public
34%
Acceptance Rate$33,616/yr
1400-1530
91%
"America's second-oldest college blends colonial ghosts with preppy rigor in history-soaked Williamsburg."
University of Richmond, VA•Private
22%
Acceptance Rate$77,470/yr
1410-1530
86%
"You'll paddle across Westhampton Lake to class at this polished Virginia liberal arts powerhouse, where preppy ambition fuels boardrooms and backboards alike."
Richmond, VA•Public
93%
Acceptance Rate$28,184/yr
1010-1270
70%
"Richmond's urban fusion of top-ranked arts, health sciences, and media programs amid a gritty creative scene."
Lexington, VA•Private
14%
Acceptance Rate$79,275/yr
1430-1540
94%
"You'll pledge your honor in a tight-knit Southern enclave where unproctored exams test character as much as knowledge."
Blacksburg, VA•Public
55%
Acceptance Rate$24,894/yr
1280-1450
87%
"Engineering powerhouse where Hokie spirit turns mountain isolation into unbreakable camaraderie."
Harrisonburg, VA•Public
72%
Acceptance Rate$20,600/yr
1170-1340
82%
"Shenandoah Valley public university pulsing with Duke spirit, business acumen, and media creativity."
Wise, VA•Public
29%
Acceptance Rate$18,856/yr
945-1120
44%
"UVA's intimate liberal arts campus tucked into the Appalachian Mountains of southwest Virginia."
Fairfax, VA•Public
87%
Acceptance Rate$25,065/yr
1160-1360
74%
"Fairfax's sprawling public university powerhouse, surging with economists, policy experts, and tech innovators steps from Washington, D.C."
Purcellville, VA•Private
77%
Acceptance Rate$39,420/yr
1240-1420
69%
"Small Virginia liberal arts college famous for its championship debate team and government-focused majors."
Fredericksburg, VA•Public
80%
Acceptance Rate$23,009/yr
1170-1370
71%
"Virginia's sole public liberal arts university, where 4,000 undergrads get personalized attention on a compact historic campus."
Norfolk, VA•Public
90%
Acceptance Rate$22,403/yr
1100-1280
55%
"Norfolk's public research engine powering modeling, simulation, and naval engineering amid shipyards and salt breezes."
Hampden-Sydney, VA•Private
41%
Acceptance Rate$64,920/yr
1030-1250
63%
"Virginia's oldest private college trains principled men through an ironclad honor code and tight-knit brotherhood."
Ashland, VA•Private
87%
Acceptance Rate$59,470/yr
980-1220
74%
"Virginia liberal arts stalwart in quaint Ashland, blending intimate classes with historic small-town energy since 1830."
Roanoke, VA•Private
68%
Acceptance Rate$56,150/yr
1150-1340
67%
"Hollins University invites ambitious women to a tight-knit Virginia liberal arts haven where creative writing and equestrian pursuits flourish amid the Blue Ridge Mountains."
Lexington, VA•Public
71%
Acceptance Rate$21,092/yr
1050-1270
75%
"America's first state military college, where cadets forge leaders through relentless barracks discipline and daily parades."
Salem, VA•Private
83%
Acceptance Rate$48,876/yr
1090-1300
73%
"Small liberal arts college tucked in Virginia's Blue Ridge foothills, blending rigorous classes with Appalachian outdoor pursuits."
Lynchburg, VA•Private
94%
Acceptance Rate$39,620/yr
1100-1210
59%
"Small Virginia liberal arts college famed for national-champion equestrians and stargazing from its 19th-century observatory."
Virginia Beach, VA•Private
73%
Acceptance Rate$47,930/yr
1140-1350
49%
"Small Methodist liberal arts college in Virginia Beach where hands-on service meets sandy shores and suburban calm."
Bridgewater, VA•Private
92%
Acceptance Rate$53,650/yr
1020-1360
66%
"Close-knit liberal arts college in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley shaped by Church of the Brethren service and peace traditions."
Sweet Briar, VA•Private
76%
Acceptance Rate$37,850/yr
1100-1310
50%
"Intimate all-women's liberal arts college in rural Virginia, where equestrian prowess meets rigorous academics on a 3,250-acre estate."
Buena Vista, VA•Private
96%
Acceptance Rate$29,736/yr
943-1253
43%
"Mountain-enclosed liberal arts outpost where Latter-day Saint honor code shapes chivalrous knights into scholars and lifelong friends."
Richmond, VA•Private
98%
Acceptance Rate$20,416/yr
850-885
50%
"Richmond's pioneering HBCU, blending theology, leadership, and urban energy since 1865."
Radford, VA•Public
90%
Acceptance Rate$20,660/yr
940-1160
62%
"Radford University blends small-town charm with hands-on learning in the heart of Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains."
Lynchburg, VA•Private
99%
Acceptance Rate$29,055/yr
980-1200
46%
"A sprawling campus in Virginia where faith shapes every corner of academic and social life."
Lynchburg, VA•Private
43%
Acceptance Rate$48,200/yr
980-1230
68%
"A tight-knit Virginia campus blending personal attention with a historic charm in the Blue Ridge foothills."
Virginia Beach, VA•Private
38%
Acceptance Rate$18,080/yr
990-1250
42%
"A faith-driven haven in Virginia Beach blending rigorous academics with deep Christian values."
Hampton, VA•Private
62%
Acceptance Rate$40,506/yr
790-1090
64%
"Hampton University blends historic legacy with a tight-knit, purpose-driven community in Virginia's coastal heart."
Emory, VA•Private
84%
Acceptance Rate$49,148/yr
1051-1223
56%
"Emory & Henry College is located in Emory, VA."
Winchester, VA•Private
77%
Acceptance Rate$46,280/yr
1040-1250
69%
"Shenandoah University blends a close-knit community with standout arts and health sciences in the heart of Virginia's Shenandoah Valley."
Arlington, VA•Private
93%
Acceptance Rate$52,890/yr
1040-1240
72%
"Catholic university in Arlington blending hands-on design, nursing, and business programs with instant DC internship access."
Staunton, VA•Private
92%
Acceptance Rate$43,022/yr
970-1170
49%
"A historic women’s college in Virginia’s heart, blending liberal arts with a bold, inclusive spirit."
Lynchburg, VA•Private
100%
Acceptance Rate$11,480/yr
N/A
82%
"Centra College is located in Lynchburg, VA."
Showing top 50 of 62 colleges in Virginia
Frequently Asked Questions About Virginia Colleges
University of Virginia-Main Campus is the highest-ranked university in Virginia, ranked #23 nationally. The state is home to several prestigious institutions offering world-class education across various fields.
The average tuition at Virginia colleges varies by institution type. For public universities, the average in-state tuition is $20,874 per year. Out-of-state students pay an average of $25,621. After financial aid, the average net price is $22,236.
The average acceptance rate for colleges in Virginia is 54%. However, acceptance rates vary significantly by institution, with some highly selective universities accepting less than 10% of applicants while others maintain open enrollment policies.
Virginia has a major public university system: Virginia Public Higher Education (VPHE). Together, these systems include 15 campuses serving hundreds of thousands of students. Virginia's public universities include top-ranked UVA and Virginia Tech, known for research and academics.
To qualify for in-state tuition at Virginia public universities, you typically need to establish residency for at least 12 months before enrolling. Requirements usually include living in the state, having a Virginia driver's license, registering to vote in the state, and demonstrating intent to remain. Specific requirements vary by institution, so check with your chosen school's admissions office.
Virginia is located in the Southeast region of the United States. The Southeast combines Southern hospitality with top-tier research universities and a growing tech sector, offering excellent value and vibrant campus life.
Virginia offers a range of affordable college options. The average net price after financial aid is $22,236. Public universities in Virginia provide particularly strong value for in-state residents, with lower tuition rates and access to state financial aid programs.
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