Virginia colleges have made significant investments in e-learning. Major college systems, including the University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, Old Dominion University, and the Virginia Community College System, anchor the state's online learning network. These and other online colleges in Virginia offer degrees at all levels.
National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) data from 2022 reveals high levels of student engagement with distance learning. In 2022, 58.5% of Virginia college students were enrolled in online courses. Virginia's state rate was nearly 10% higher than the national average of 53.3%.
This guide profiles the top online colleges in Virginia, as determined by a proprietary ranking methodology. It also incorporates NCES and Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data to provide a high-level, data-informed overview of the state's higher learning and employment landscapes.
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Overview of Online Colleges in Virginia
A Brief Overview of Higher Education in Virginia
According to the NCES, Virginia hosts 100 degree-granting higher education institutions, including 40 public institutions, 40 nonprofit institutions, and 20 for-profit institutions. These numbers encompass all types of degree-granting schools, including two-year community colleges, four-year universities, and special focus schools.Of the nearly 20 million students enrolled at degree-granting postsecondary institutions in the U.S., over 546,280 study in Virginia. While total college enrollment in some states has dropped by more than 20%, enrollment at higher education institutions in Virginia has held steady since 2010.[dataviz-stats public="40" non-profit="40" for-profit="20"]The College Board reports that in-state students' average tuition and fees at Virginia's public, four-year universities for the 2023-2024 school year reached $15,162. Average in-state tuition at public, two-year colleges reached $5,409 during the same period. In addition, the College Board found that, for the 2023-2024 academic year, tuition and fees at the University of Virginia totaled $18,816 for Virginia residents and $56,428 for out-of-state students.In terms of Virginia's public financial aid programs, the National Association of State Student Grant & Aid Programs revealed that the state awarded $94.9 million in non-need-based grants and $362.3 million in need-based aid for the 2021-2022 school year.
Higher Education in Virginia
The State of Online Higher Education in Virginia
A 2019 Bayview Analytics report detailed higher education trends in Virginia. It found that 233,105 of the state's 557,368 college students were enrolled in at least one distance course and that 131,492 Virginia degree-seekers were enrolled exclusively in distance-learning programs.Notably, the report was published before the COVID-19 pandemic. As the University of Virginia's Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service noted, the initial stages of the pandemic triggered a rapid increase of more than 400% in the number of online-only college students in Virginia.Many have since continued their online learning. The percentage of Virginia college students enrolled in at least one online course rose from 41.8% in 2019 to 58.5% in 2022 — an increase of nearly 40%.[dataviz-nces online="23.6" undergrad="80.6" in-state="13.1"]
Best Online Colleges in Virginia
Below, you will find our rankings of the best online four-year programs in Virginia. Our profiles look at how schools approach online education and then list their services for distance students and their most popular, fully online degrees. After reviewing the best online schools in VA, explore our state resources and our index of popular in-state scholarships.
Ranking Methodology
To determine the best online colleges in each state, we examined the factors most important to prospective students: Academic quality and reputation, online program strength, and cost and student aid. At the most basic level, we use the following formula to determine the best online colleges: Academic Quality + Online Offerings + Cost and Student Aid = Final Score. Of course, there's more to these calculations than meets the eye. Visit our methodology page to discover the data points that shape our formula and to learn more about the process we use to rank schools.
Most Affordable Online Colleges in Virginia
Below you'll find the best online colleges in VA, sorted by affordability.
Affordability Methodology
Our list of the most affordable online schools in Virginia is based on in-state yearly tuition, or annual tuition rates if a school does not differentiate between in-state and out-of-state students. Tuition rates are based on a full course load each semester or term. All colleges on the list offer at least one bachelor's degree completion program available entirely online.The online schools in VA with the lowest tuition are ranked highest, providing prospective students with a true list of the most affordable online colleges in the state.
College Graduate Outlook in Virginia
Tuition Breaks for Out-of-State Students
Virginia participates in the Academic Common Market (ACM) tuition reciprocity program. Managed by the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB), the ACM offers tuition savings to residents of 15 participating jurisdictions who attend college in other member states. The ACM program offers savings opportunities to both undergraduate and graduate students.Learners from the other 14 ACM member states generally qualify for tuition discounts when studying at Virginia-based institutions. Some restrictions apply, and multiple major Virginia schools do not participate in the ACM compact. Notable examples include University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, and Virginia Commonwealth University.State officials review ACM inclusion requests annually. For further information on participation and eligibility, check with the school to which you plan to apply.Virginia residents can also use ACM savings when attending participating institutions in other member states.
Job Opportunities in Virginia for College Graduates
BLS data from March 2024 indicates a healthier-than-average Virginia job market. In February and March of 2024, Virginia posted job opening rates of 6.0% and 5.4%, respectively. These rates outpaced the national averages from the same periods of 5.3% (February 2024) and 5.1% (March 2024).In April 2024, the Virginia Employment Commission reported the state's unemployment rate at 2.8%, down 0.1% from March. This figure was well below the national unemployment rate of 3.9% reported by the BLS for April 2024.Key Virginia industries to consider include business, education, and healthcare. In Virginia, professionals in business occupations earn an average salary of more than $108,000annually, and healthcare professionals are not far behind at $98,440 each year. Educational instruction professionals make an annual average of $64,880 annually, outpacing the nationwide median by 8.2%.The BLS also notes the high value of education as it affects earning power. According to 2023 data, bachelor's degree-holders out-earn those who attended college but only graduated by 50%.