Best Colleges in Virginia of 2023
A college degree is a valuable investment, and individuals who hold a college degree make more than individuals who don't. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for an individual with a college degree is $1,334 per week. Individuals with only a high school diploma make $525 less, averaging $809 per week. This guide to the best colleges in Virginia highlights higher learning institutions that will help to increase your future earnings.
Why This Matters
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62 COLLEGES IN VIRGINIA
According to College Navigator, students can choose from 15 public colleges, 32 private non-profit colleges, and 15 private for-profit colleges in Virginia.
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$14,120 AVERAGE IN-STATE TUITION & FEES
The average academic-related costs in Virginia for the 2021-22 school year was $14,120, according to College Board.
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$14,800 FINANCIAL AID PER U.S. STUDENT
Students in the U.S. pursuing a bachelor’s degree received an average financial aid package of $14,800 during the 2020-21 school year.
Our Research
This list features some of the best brick-and-mortar schools in Virginia. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary institutions. We included liberal arts colleges and research universities as well as small, midsize, and large institutions. Next, we compared this comprehensive list to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications like the U.S. News & World Report among others to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.
The colleges on our list are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), a reputable organization that examines the objectives, quality, and overall effectiveness of education programs in the southern United States.
We evaluated each school on tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, and reputation as well as the student resources provided for on-campus students. Then we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.
The Top 50 Colleges in Virginia
What You Should Know About Graduating From College in Virginia
Understanding the career opportunities available in the state where you wish to attend college can help you make an informed decision about where to study. Researching the largest industries in Virginia provides additional insight into the future job market. As of October 2021, the top five industries in Virginia are professional and business services; government; trade, transportation, and utilities; education and health services; and goods-producing.
The five fastest-growing careers for job seekers in Virginia with an undergraduate degree are information security analysts, medical and health services managers, coaches and scouts, actuaries, and logisticians.
When thinking about post-graduation opportunities, it’s also helpful to look at the biggest employers in the state. Companies on the list of the top 150 employers in Virginia include Virginia Commonwealth University, College of William & Mary, Huntington Ingalls, Heart & Vascular Institute, and Nestle.
What’s Next?
Consider the financial aid options available to you when researching schools in Virginia. This list of federal and state resources will provide you with information about scholarships, grants, work-study programs, and other aid opportunities available to you.
- State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV). SCHEV provides a detailed overview of the higher education system in Virginia as well as a comprehensive list of all state financial aid programs.
- Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Over $120 billion is allocated to eligible students who wish to pursue higher education. Provided by the U.S. Department of Education, this aid is given in the form of grants, loans, and work-study programs. Determine your eligibility and apply for aid via the online FAFSA form.
- CareerOneStop. Learn more about available scholarships, grants, and fellowships on the CareerOneStop website. Use the filter options to narrow your search by degree level and state. All funding opportunities include the purpose of the scholarship, the award amount, and the submission deadline.