State Hub

Colleges in Virginia

CampusPin tracks 102 colleges in Virginia — 67 universities and 35 community colleges. Compare tuition, acceptance, size, and setting to build a shortlist that fits.

Colleges tracked

102

Universities

67

Community colleges

35

Avg. in-state tuition

$18k

About college search in Virginia

How Virginia's higher-education landscape shapes a search

Virginia’s public higher-education sector punches above its weight: the University of Virginia (Charlottesville), Virginia Tech (Blacksburg), William & Mary (Williamsburg), James Madison (Harrisonburg), George Mason (Fairfax), VCU (Richmond), and Old Dominion (Norfolk) together cover almost every public-university search a student could run. The Virginia Community College System (VCCS) — 23 colleges across the state — is one of the most coordinated CC networks in the country and operates the state’s Guaranteed Admission Agreements (GAA) with most Virginia public universities.

Geographic context matters a lot in Virginia: Northern Virginia (around DC) is the most expensive cost-of-living region; the Hampton Roads area (Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Newport News) anchors a separate higher-ed market; and Charlottesville, Blacksburg, and Harrisonburg are college-town markets organized around their flagship institution. Out-of-state students should verify residency rules; in-state status is materially valuable at UVA and Virginia Tech.

Multiple competitive public universities

UVA, Virginia Tech, William & Mary, James Madison, and George Mason each anchor a different academic profile. Virginia is unusual in having so many distinct public universities with strong reputations.

VCCS Guaranteed Admission Agreements

Students who complete an associate degree at a Virginia community college and meet GPA / program requirements are guaranteed admission to most Virginia public universities under VCCS’s GAA program.

Distinctive HBCUs

Virginia hosts several historically Black colleges and universities including Hampton University, Norfolk State, Virginia State, and Virginia Union.

Strong private liberal-arts options

Washington and Lee, the University of Richmond, Hollins, Sweet Briar, and Randolph (Lynchburg) add depth to Virginia’s private liberal-arts options.

Public university system

Virginia’s public university sector (no single statewide system)

Unlike many states, Virginia’s public universities are governed individually by their own boards of visitors rather than under one statewide system. The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) coordinates state-level policy.

Community college network

Virginia Community College System (VCCS) — 23 colleges

VCCS coordinates 23 community colleges across Virginia. The system operates Guaranteed Admission Agreements with most Virginia public universities and publishes program-specific transfer paths.

In-state vs. out-of-state tuition

Virginia’s in-state public tuition is in the mid-range nationally; out-of-state rates at UVA and Virginia Tech are substantially higher. In-state residency rules in Virginia are scrutinized closely — verify residency status directly with the institution before assuming the in-state rate applies.

Top metros for college search

Where Virginia's higher-education density concentrates

  • Northern Virginia (Fairfax / Arlington)

    Northern Virginia hosts George Mason University (Fairfax), Marymount (Arlington), and Northern Virginia Community College (one of the largest CCs in the U.S.).

  • Richmond

    Richmond anchors Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), the University of Richmond, Virginia Union (HBCU), and Reynolds Community College.

  • Hampton Roads (Norfolk / Virginia Beach / Newport News)

    Hampton Roads hosts Old Dominion, Norfolk State (HBCU), Hampton University (HBCU), Christopher Newport, and Tidewater Community College.

  • Charlottesville

    Charlottesville is built around the University of Virginia (UVA), the state’s primary public flagship.

  • Blacksburg / New River Valley

    Blacksburg is the home of Virginia Tech, the state’s major land-grant and STEM-focused public university.

  • Harrisonburg / Shenandoah Valley

    Harrisonburg is built around James Madison University (JMU); the Shenandoah Valley also hosts Bridgewater, Mary Baldwin, and Eastern Mennonite.

South region overview

What students weigh when searching colleges in Virginia

Across Virginia (VA), CampusPin currently indexes 102 institutions: 40 public and 62 private, split between 67 universities and 35 community colleges. Students often compare fast-growing metros, flagship publics, regional campuses, and cost-sensitive pathways across a wide mix of institutions.

Run one search for broad public options and another for community-college or commuter-oriented pathways.
Check campus setting and support services early because regional fit can vary more than names alone suggest.
Keep cost, transfer, and online flexibility visible if location is important but not completely fixed.

Browse by major

Virginia colleges by program

Jump straight to Virginia colleges and universities that offer a specific major. Each page compares tuition, acceptance rate, and enrollment for that program across Virginia.

Every college we track

Colleges and universities in Virginia

Showing 60 of 102 — use search or filters to see the rest.

Filter all Virginia schools

How to use the Virginia hub

Start with CampusPin results filtered to Virginia so your first pass stays geographically focused.
Use school profiles to compare tuition, admissions, program format, and campus fit before building a shortlist.
If you are looking for lower-cost or transfer-first options, compare community colleges and four-year destinations separately.
Use blog guides and help-center content when you need stronger decision frameworks, not just more schools.

Next actions for Virginia

Explore all colleges in VirginiaView community colleges in VirginiaView online programs in VirginiaRead planning guides before you compare

Frequently asked questions

Questions families ask about colleges in Virginia

Which is the public flagship university in Virginia?
The University of Virginia (UVA) in Charlottesville is generally considered Virginia’s primary public flagship, with Virginia Tech (Blacksburg) and William & Mary (Williamsburg) as the other major public research universities. Virginia is unusual in having multiple competitive public universities rather than one dominant flagship.
How does Virginia’s Guaranteed Admission Agreement work?
Students who complete an associate degree at a Virginia community college and meet GPA and program requirements under the Virginia Community College System’s Guaranteed Admission Agreement (GAA) are guaranteed admission to most Virginia public four-year universities. GPA thresholds and program-specific requirements vary by destination institution — verify directly with both your community college and the four-year school.
How many HBCUs are in Virginia?
Virginia hosts five historically Black colleges and universities: Hampton University (private), Norfolk State University (public), Virginia State University (public), Virginia Union University (private), and Virginia University of Lynchburg (private).
What are the most affordable colleges in Virginia for in-state students?
Virginia community colleges are the lowest-cost on-campus path. After that, regional public universities like Radford, Old Dominion, and Virginia Commonwealth typically post lower in-state tuition than UVA, Virginia Tech, and William & Mary. Always compare net price after aid rather than sticker price.
Can students near DC compare Virginia, Maryland, and DC schools on CampusPin?
Yes. The DC-Maryland-Virginia (DMV) region is one of the most actively cross-shopped college markets in the country. Pin schools across all three jurisdictions, then open /compare to see them side by side on tuition, acceptance rate, enrollment, and programs.

Related blog clusters

Guides that pair well with a Virginia search

Cost and Financial Aid

College affordability, net price, aid interpretation, borrowing decisions, and budgeting guidance for students and families using CampusPin to compare higher-ed options with more discipline.

Community College

Community-college strategy, affordability, transfer readiness, and credential pathway content for students exploring two-year options through CampusPin.

College Search Strategy

Filter-first search strategy, shortlist building, and planning content for students and parents using CampusPin to discover best-fit colleges and universities.

Help Center

Workflow guides for students searching in Virginia

Getting Started With CampusPin

A fast orientation to the CampusPin workflow, from your first search through profile review, pins, and next-step planning.

How to Use Filters to Narrow Your College List

A practical help article on how to use CampusPin filters without over-filtering or locking yourself into the wrong criteria too early.

How to Read a CampusPin School Profile

A guide to the major sections inside a CampusPin institution profile and how to interpret them effectively. Each page is designed to connect search intent to clearer next steps, internal links, and more defensible CampusPin decisions.