Best Online Colleges in Virginia
for 2023

Get Matched With Virginia Programs

Virginia’s labor force felt the impact of months of recession during and just after the pandemic. Beginning in October of 2021, the revised employment number in the state was 4,261.4 million people. The revised unemployment rate started at 3.4% in October and has, more recently, dropped to 3.0%.

Those who are looking to begin or expand on their education might find that this is the perfect time to do so. As the economy picks back up and the unemployment rate drops, companies will be looking for qualified candidates in a shrinking pool of workers. This can give you the bargaining power to find a better position with a solid educational foundation.

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Online Higher Education in Virginia


In Virginia, students are able to choose between going to school on-campus and taking online courses. This is especially true as online learning options continue to expand across the country. If they choose the distance learning option, they should have good time management skills and be able to commit to studying and logging into their classes regularly in order to succeed.

Almost 286,000 students enrolled completely in online programs in this state in a recent year. For undergraduate programs, 352,194 students were online learners while 94,289 graduate students enrolled in at least one graduate course online.

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  • How much tuition will I pay?
    In-state tuition averaged $8,538 for students in a recent year, while out-of-state students pay tuition costs closer to $19,460. Virginia has 175 colleges and universities, with 126 being private institutions. While private colleges have a reputation for higher tuition, this may not always be the case, and they may also have better financial aid options to help ease the cost. Generally, public colleges and universities have lower tuition rates.
  • What will I pay, besides tuition?
    Students pay for more than just their tuition. Other charges are rolled into the full cost of attendance when you apply to a school. This includes tuition, fees, room & board, and books, supplies, and more into a total for the year. In-state graduate students pay an average of $30,673 for their total costs and out-of-state students pay around $43,864.

Our School Rankings Methodology


Parents want a quality education for their children, and students and their families want to make sure that they aren’t overpaying for their education. School rankings can help them compare retention and admission rates, as well as a variety of other information, for various colleges, giving families all the information they need to make a good decision. Our rankings also include information such as the graduation and graduate salary rates, accreditation, and more. We collect data from Department of Education websites, such as College Scorecard or the National Center for Education Statistics, as well as the Bureau of Labor Statistics and other useful sites with credible information.

Students planning to begin their college education by earning an undergraduate degree, or if they want to continue their education with a graduate degree, will be well-served by beginning their school search by reviewing these rankings and then applying their own requirements onto the best options out there. Those looking for online degrees specifically will find all the best options in the state gathered here.

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What are the Best Online Associate & Community College Programs in Virginia?


Prospective students looking for online learning at a community college will find all the information they need to make a decision here. Online colleges in Virginia and those offering online degrees alongside their in-class offerings are all collected here so that you can make the best decision for you. Just because a college is a great option for someone else doesn’t mean it will work for you. Compare and contrast all your options using this list of great community colleges in your area.

Many students value an affordable education above and beyond one that is well-known. While these are offered by smaller institutions, they will help you to earn an associate degree and get to work or help distance learners save money on their associate degree and help transfer into a continuing bachelor’s program.

Laurel Ridge Community College
College Type
2-year, Public
Student Population
6,337
Graduation Rate
43%
Net Price
$6,320
Grads Salary
$36,400
Northern Virginia Community College
College Type
2-year, Public
Student Population
52,873
Graduation Rate
29%
Net Price
$9,153
Grads Salary
$37,000
Piedmont Virginia Community College
College Type
2-year, Public
Student Population
4,864
Graduation Rate
38%
Net Price
$6,700
Grads Salary
$36,800
Wytheville Community College
College Type
2-year, Public
Student Population
2,244
Graduation Rate
42%
Net Price
$3,107
Grads Salary
$30,800
Germanna Community College
College Type
2-year, Public
Student Population
7,679
Graduation Rate
36%
Net Price
$6,716
Grads Salary
$36,300
New River Community College
College Type
2-year, Public
Student Population
4,137
Graduation Rate
37%
Net Price
$6,742
Grads Salary
$34,100
Virginia Western Community College
College Type
2-year, Public
Student Population
5,738
Graduation Rate
35%
Net Price
$6,453
Grads Salary
$34,349
John Tyler Community College
College Type
2-year, Public
Student Population
9,440
Graduation Rate
31%
Net Price
$6,086
Grads Salary
$36,400
Danville Community College
College Type
2-year, Public
Student Population
2,813
Graduation Rate
42%
Net Price
$8,065
Grads Salary
$28,600
Mountain Empire Community College
College Type
2-year, Public
Student Population
2,253
Graduation Rate
40%
Net Price
$5,805
Grads Salary
$27,900
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What are the Best Online Universities & College Programs in Virginia?


Future university or college students who are considering online universities should definitely consider reviewing a college ranking report. A four-year education costs more than a two-year education and you’ll want your bachelor’s degree to be as affordable as possible while still offering you every opportunity you need to succeed.

Earning a degree via distance education can help ensure that you save on transportation and other costs. But it will also allow you to finish with a bachelor’s rather than an associate degree. These are much more helpful when you are trying to succeed in your early career, and when you’re looking for promotions.

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University of Virginia
College Type
4-year, Public
Student Population
25,628
Graduation Rate
94%
Net Price
$19,043
Grads Salary
$81,000
William & Mary
College Type
4-year, Public
Student Population
8,939
Graduation Rate
91%
Net Price
$18,588
Grads Salary
$75,000
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
College Type
4-year, Public
Student Population
37,024
Graduation Rate
86%
Net Price
$20,247
Grads Salary
$79,000
Strayer University
College Type
4-year, Private
Student Population
2,504
Undergrads
2,269
Net Price
$17,681
Grads Salary
$67,000
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George Mason University
College Type
4-year, Public
Student Population
38,541
Graduation Rate
72%
Net Price
$18,285
Grads Salary
$76,000
James Madison University
College Type
4-year, Public
Student Population
21,594
Graduation Rate
82%
Net Price
$18,592
Grads Salary
$69,000
Old Dominion University
College Type
4-year, Public
Student Population
24,286
Graduation Rate
53%
Net Price
$17,162
Grads Salary
$70,000
Regent University
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit
Student Population
10,483
Graduation Rate
61%
Net Price
$14,785
Grads Salary
$60,000
Virginia Commonwealth University
College Type
4-year, Public
Student Population
29,070
Graduation Rate
66%
Net Price
$20,566
Grads Salary
$66,000
Marymount University
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit
Student Population
3,294
Graduation Rate
54%
Net Price
$24,224
Grads Salary
$76,000
Averett University
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit
Student Population
887
Graduation Rate
50%
Net Price
$23,855
Grads Salary
$77,000
Full Ranking Report

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