Virginia College is a chain of for-profit post-secondary institutions located primarily in the Southeastern United States. It is a Proprietary college which, in comparison to traditional colleges or universities, offers classes related to specific professions. In common with other such colleges, Virginia College offers certificates, diplomas, and degrees in the areas of health and medical, information technology, business, office management, and criminal justice.
The original Virginia College campus was founded in 1983 in Roanoke, VA. In 1989, the college was purchased by Education Futures, Inc. In February 1992, Virginia College opened its first branch campus in Birmingham, Alabama. Another branch campus was opened in April 1993 in Huntsville, Alabama. Several more branches have opened since as the school has expanded. Virginia College has a history of changing administration frequently.
The company that owns and operates the schools, Education Corporation of America, is a privately held corporation headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama. ECA also owns Virginia College Online, which offers distance education academic programs via the Internet; San Diego Golf Academy; and Culinard, the Culinary Institute of Virginia College, offering degrees in the culinary arts.
On-ground campuses of Virginia College are located in Birmingham, Alabama; Huntsville, Alabama; Mobile, Alabama; Chattanooga, Tennessee; Jackson, Mississippi; Biloxi, Mississippi; Pensacola, Florida; and Austin, Texas. The Culinard campus and teaching kitchens are in Birmingham, Alabama. San Diego Golf Academy campuses are in Honolulu, Hawaii; San Diego, California; Phoenix, Arizona; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; and Orlando, Florida.
As with similar proprietary colleges, Virginia College claims to prepare students for direct entry into the job market. Instructors are not tenured professors, but tend to be people employed in the professions in which they teach, and may or may not hold advanced degrees. Students seeking a better-rounded education should choose a more traditional Liberal arts college.
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Full-Time vs. Part-Time
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| Percent of Students International: | 0% |
| Tuition & Fees (undergraduate) | Expenses | ||
Published Tuition and Fees: |
$ 11,780 | ||
Average Tuition for Full-Time Undergrads: |
$ 11,680 | ||
Required Fees for Full-Time Undergrads: |
$ 100 | ||
| Financial Aid | Avg. Amount Received | % of Students Receiving Aid | |
Federal Grants: |
$ 1,065 | 56% | |
Student Loans: |
$ 1,845 | 76% | |
Any Aid: |
97% |
