15 Best Colleges in Virginia

Virginia is known as “the birthplace of a nation” since it was the first permanent English settlement. Today, Virginia is home to many great college campuses and academic opportunities.

If you’re wondering which are the best colleges in Virginia, we’ve put together a list of 15 great schools for you to explore.

: Photo by Pang Yuhao on Unsplash

15 Best Colleges In Virginia

Below are 15 of the best colleges and universities in Virginia.

University of Virginia

University of Virginia, founded in 1819 by Thomas Jefferson, is located in Charlottesville, Virginia, on a beautiful 1,682-acre campus. The university’s highly ranked graduate programs include their school of business, education, engineering and applied science, law, and medicine. In 2020, University of Virginia was ranked #28 in National Universities in the 2020 edition of Best Colleges by U.S. News.

Tuition and fees: Out-of-state $17,891, in-state $50,920
Acceptance rate: 26%
SAT scores: 1330-1500
ACT scores: 30-34

College of William and Mary

The College of William and Mary is the second oldest college in the United States, and received its name from its founders, King William III and Queen Mary II of England, who founded the school in 1693. It is located in Williamsburg, Virginia, and was ranked #40 in National Universities.

Tuition and fees: Out-of-state $46,283, in-state $22,922
Acceptance rate: 37%
SAT scores: 1310-1490
ACT scores: 30-33

Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech’s 2,600-acre campus is set in rural Blacksburg. Once a military technical institute, it is known for its extensive research institutes and centers, which are available to undergraduates and graduates alike. Their College of Engineering is highly ranked, and their sports teams compete in the NCAA Division I Atlantic Coast Conference. The institute is ranked #74 in National Universities.

Tuition and fees: Out-of-state $32,835, in-state $13,691
Acceptance rate: 65%
SAT scores: 1180-1390
ACT scores: 25-31

George Mason University

George Mason University is a public institution in a suburban setting near Washington, D.C. in northern Virginia. The school is known for their regarded George Mason School of Law, as well as their Patriot’s sports teams.

Tuition and fees: Out-of-state $36,024, in-state $12,564
Acceptance rate: 81%
SAT scores: 1120-1320
ACT scores: 24-30

Virginia Commonwealth University

Located in the urban setting of Richmond, Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University is a public institution that is known for its well-regarded School of Art, School of Education, School of Social Work, and School of Medicine. The university also puts an emphasis on sports and exercise with its VCU Rams athletics team and Outdoor Adventure Program.

Tuition and fees: Out-of-state $35,244, in-state $14,596
Acceptance rate: 77%
SAT scores: 1070-1260
ACT scores: 21-28

Hampton University

Hampton University is a private institution set in an urban area by Chesapeake Bay, Virginia. The institution is historically black, founded by a freed African American woman, Mary Peake, who began teaching freed slaves in the spot where the campus now resides. The university offers more than 80 undergraduate and graduate programs, and many opportunities for an enriching student life, including student organizations, events, and sports teams.

Tuition and fees: $28,024
Acceptance rate: 36%
SAT and ACT scores: Although the university accepts SAT and ACT scores, they also accept students with a 3.3 GPA or students who are at the top 10% of their class.

Old Dominion University

Old Dominion University is a state school which was divided from the College of William and Mary. The campus is set in Norfolk, Virginia, and the university offers more than 100 programs and over 300 student organizations and clubs.

Tuition and fees: Out-of-state $30,652, in-state $11,212
Acceptance rate: 87%
SAT scores: 990-1200
ACT scores: 18-24

Shenandoah University

Shenandoah University has been a private institution since its founding in 1875. Its campus, comprising 359 acres, is set in the city of Winchester, Virginia. It offers more than 200 areas of study and seven schools in art and sciences, business, pharmacy, nursing, health profession, physical therapy, and education.

Tuition and fees: $33,242
Acceptance rate: 70%
SAT scores: 980-1190
ACT scores: 20-26

: Photo by Victoria Heath on Unsplash

Mary Baldwin University

Mary Baldwin University is a private university located in Staunton, Virginia. It was originally founded in 1842 as a women’s seminary, and today houses Mary Baldwin College for Women with a focus on liberal arts and leadership as well as their co-ed programs. It is also an institution which offers education to students who are not the typical college age, as well as a 4-1-4-based academic calendar.

Tuition and fees: $31,085
Acceptance rate: 100%
SAT scores: 950-1130
ACT scores: 18-24

Washington and Lee University

Washington and Lee University is a private university located in Lexington, Virginia. Some of its popular majors include business, economics, political science, and government. It was ranked #9 in the Best Liberal Arts Colleges from the US Department of Education.

Tuition and fees: $21,918 per year
Acceptance rate: 21%
SAT scores: 1350-1490
ACT scores: 31-34

University of Richmond

University of Richmond is a private liberal arts university located in Richmond, Virginia. Its five schools include their School of Arts and Sciences, School of Business, School of Leadership Studies, School of Law, and School of Professional & Continuing Studies.

Tuition and fees: $24,634 per year
Acceptance rate: 30%
SAT scores: 1290-1460
ACT scores: 30-33

James Madison University

James Madison is a large public research university located in Shenandoah Valley in Harrisonburg, Virginia. In 1908 the university was originally founded as the State Normal and Industrial School for Women at Harrisonburg. Now, the university is a co-ed institution with around a 60/40 ratio of female and male students. Some of the university’s popular majors are community health services and counseling, communications, and the liberal arts and humanities.

Tuition and fees: $17,753 per year
Acceptance rate: 71%
SAT scores: 1120-1290
ACT scores: 23-28

Virginia Military Institute

Virginia Military Institute is a small public college located in Lexington, Virginia. It offers both physical and academic training to its students, who are all cadets. The institute offers degrees in 14 fields within engineering, sciences, and the liberal arts. Some of their popular majors include civil engineering, international relations, and economics.

Tuition and fees: $14,799 per year
Acceptance rate: 51%
SAT scores: 1100-1310
ACT scores: 24-30

Liberty University

Liberty University is a private Christian university located in Lynchburg, Virginia. The university upholds a conservative Christian attitude, which can be seen in its undergraduate Bible studies and university honor code. The university includes 17 colleges, including their school of medicine and school of law. The university also has a significant amount of students enrolled in their online courses.

Tuition and fees: $27,432 per year
Acceptance rate: 56%
SAT scores: 970-1200
ACT scores: 21-28

Hampden-Sydney College

Hampden-Sydney College is a men’s liberal arts college located in Hampden Sydney, Virginia. It is one of the few remaining all-male institutions in the United States, and is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church. A couple of its popular majors include degrees in managerial economics and biology.

Tuition and fees: $33,725 per year
Acceptance fees: 59%
SAT scores: 1050-1250
ACT scores: 21-28

Online Colleges

Another option for getting a degree is attending online college. When earning a degree online, there are many benefits including the fact that location is no longer a factor.

Whether you’re interested in attending an international program overseas or find yourself trying to juggle family and work on the side, online learning can be a convenient way to earn a degree.

Some of the above universities offer online programs, especially now in 2020 when many are opting to work and study from home due to the pandemic.

In addition, University of the People is a completely online university that offers degrees in business administration, computer science, health science, and education. University of the People is a tuition-free university with the goal of making quality education accessible and affordable to students from all backgrounds.

Bottom Line

There are many high-quality colleges in Virginia to choose from. Whether you’re an in-state student planning your college tours for the first time, or a continuing student exploring your options, Virginia has a lot to offer.

Alternatively, getting a degree online is easier than ever, and there are many options for getting your online courses, or getting a headstart on your degree while planning your next step in your academic career.