Virginia Colleges
With more than 200 colleges and universities to choose from, Virginia provides a wide range of post secondary education options with schools in and around Virginia Beach, Charlottesville, Richmond and Roanoke. The state boasts a rich history from becoming the first permanent New World English colony to having the oldest legislature in the nation. There’s also a vast heritage of history behind many Virginia colleges: the University of Virginia is a World Heritage Site founded by Thomas Jefferson, the College of William and Mary is the second-oldest college in America, and the Virginia Military Institute is the oldest state military college in the U.S. and a top public liberal arts college. Additionally, James Madison University is consistently named the number one public masters degree-level university in the South. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University(Virginia Tech) and University of Virginia, the state’s land-grant universities, are two of the top-ranked public colleges in Virginia earning a spot on US News & World Report’s list of Best Colleges. Several community colleges and career colleges round out the list of colleges in Virginia.
Top College Cities in Virginia
- Virginia Beach Colleges (17)
- Norfolk Colleges (12)
- Richmond Colleges (11)
- Arlington Colleges (10)
- Lynchburg Colleges (10)
- Newport News Colleges (10)
See All College Cities In Virginia
Virginia College and Degree Offerings
The vast selection of colleges in Virginia provides a variety of degree programs. The state’s largest school Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond for example has over 200 programs to choose from including bachelors degree, masters degree and certificate programs. More than a dozen private colleges are liberal art schools offering well-rounded educations such as Roanoke College, College of William & Mary and University of Richmond . The degree options don’t stop at the 4-year colleges in Virginia though. Many community colleges, career colleges and technical schools offer the 2-year experience and educations tailored to specific career goals. Certificate programs and 2-year career training degrees are widely available at these Virginia colleges.
- Bachelors Degree (4-Year Colleges)
- Associates Degree (2-Year Career Training)
- Associates Degree (2-Year Transfer Degree)
- Certificate Programs and Diplomas
- Masters Degree (Graduate Schools)
Top 10 Career Training, Vocation Schools and Trade Schools in Virginia
- Liberty University
- Northern Virginia Community College
- Tidewater Community College, Norfolk
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
- Strayer University, Arlington
- J Sargeant Reynolds Community College
- Thomas Nelson Community College
- ECPI University, Virginia Beach
- John Tyler Community College
- Virginia Western Community College
Top 10 Community College and Junior Colleges in Virginia
- Northern Virginia Community College
- Tidewater Community College, Norfolk
- J Sargeant Reynolds Community College
- Thomas Nelson Community College
- John Tyler Community College
- Virginia Western Community College
- Germanna Community College
- Lord Fairfax Community College
- Southside Virginia Community College
- New River Community College
Top 10 Certificate Programs in Virginia
- Liberty University
- Northern Virginia Community College
- Tidewater Community College, Norfolk
- Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond
- Strayer University, Arlington
- J Sargeant Reynolds Community College
- Thomas Nelson Community College
- ECPI University, Virginia Beach
- John Tyler Community College
- Virginia Western Community College
See All Certificate Programs in Virginia
See All Graduate Schools in Virginia
Virginia Career Opportunities
Even though agriculture is the largest industry in the state, Virginia has a wide variety of career opportunities with Northern Virginia’s government agencies and the title of ‘best state for business’ in the US from Forbes magazine. Take advantage of opportunities in Management, Finance and Business Administration and Management with a degree from one of the best business schools in the country University of Virginia. With the Central Intelligence Agency and the FBI Academy training facility located in the state, careers in Criminal Justice & LAw Enforcement, Forensics and Corrections are popular. To take advantage of one of the top three jobs in the state, consider a career in Nursing. Other healthcare careers including Health/Medical Assisting Services and Medical Insurance/Biller. No matter what their career goals, graduates of colleges in Virginia should have no problem finding a lucrative career within the state lines.