This is a list of colleges and universities in the U.S. state of Virginia. The oldest college or university in Virginia is The College of William and Mary, founded in 1693. In 2010, the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine became the newest. The largest institution is Liberty University, with over 110,000 students. [1] The smallest is the graduate-only Institute for the Psychological Sciences.
The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia defines four categories of degree-granting institutions of postsecondary education: public institutions, [2] established private institutions in good standing with a nationally recognized accrediting organization, [3] private and out-of-state institutions requiring certification [4] [5] and institutions exempt from state oversight for religious reasons. [6] Also exempt from certification are vocational institutions supervised by other state agencies, and institutions supervised by the federal government. All public institutions and most traditional private institutions are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Other state-certified private non-religious institutions are accredited by a national organization, though a few do not have any accreditation. Some small religious institutions do not have accreditation.
School | Location(s) [7] | Control | Type [14] | Accreditation | Founded | Enrollment [8] |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ACT College | Arlington | Private (Not For Profit) | Uncategorized | ABHES | 1983 | 401 |
Advanced Institute of Technology [15] | Virginia Beach | Private (For Profit) | Uncategorized | ACCSC | 1992 | 1040 |
American Digital University [16] | Sterling | Private (For Profit) | Uncategorized | none | Unknown | Unknown |
American Public University System | Manassas [17] | Private (For Profit) | Masters University | HLC | 1991 | Unknown |
Appalachian College of Pharmacy | Oakwood | Private (Not For Profit) | Special focus | SACS, ACPE | 2003 | 207 |
Aviation Institute of Maintenance [9] [18] | Multiple [10] | Private (For Profit) | Associate's college | ACCSC | 1969 | 509 |
Bethel College [19] | Hampton | Private (Not For Profit) | Uncategorized | none | 1887 | 76 |
Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing [20] | Richmond | Private (Not For Profit) | Uncategorized | ACICS | 1961 | 300 |
Boston University Metropolitan College | Arlington | Private (Methodist) | Research university | NEASC | 1965 | Unknown |
Bryant & Stratton College [9] | Multiple [10] | Private (For Profit) | Baccalaureate college | MSCHE | 1854 | 1852 |
Cambridge College | Chesapeake | Private (Not For Profit) | Masters University | NEASC | 1971 | 2,234 |
Catholic Distance University | Hamilton | Private (Catholic) | Uncategorized | DETC | 1983 | 203 |
Catholic University of America | Alexandria | Private (Catholic) | Research university | MSCHE | 1887 | 5,956 |
Central Michigan University | Multiple [10] | Public | Research university | HLC | 1892 | 21,705 |
Central Texas College | Fort Gregg-Adams | Public | Associate's college | SACS | 1965 | 16,073 |
Centura College [9] [21] | Multiple [10] | Private (For Profit) | Career College | ACCSC | 1983 | 1927 |
Chamberlain College of Nursing | Arlington | Private (For Profit) | Special focus | HLC | 1889 | Unknown |
Columbia College [22] | Fairfax | Private (For Profit) | Associate's college | COE | 1999 | 310 |
DeVry University | Multiple [10] | Private (For Profit) | Masters University | HLC | 1931 | 1868 |
Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine | Blacksburg | Private (Not For Profit) | Special focus | COCA | 2002 | 759 |
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University | Norfolk | Private | Masters University | SACS | 1926 | 6,613 |
Everest College [9] | Multiple [10] | Private (For Profit) | Associate's college | ACICS | 2007 | 2,251 |
Florida Institute of Technology | Multiple [10] | Private (Not For Profit) | Uncategorized | SACS | 1958 | 6,291 |
Fortis College [9] | Multiple [10] | Private (For Profit) | Associate's college | ACICS | 2008 | 942 |
Georgetown University | Arlington | Private (Not For Profit) | Research university | MSCHE | 1789 | 19,204 |
Global Health College [23] | Alexandria | Private (For Profit) | Associate's college | none | 2004 | 276 |
HyperLearning Technologies, Inc. [24] | Virginia Beach | Private (For Profit) | Uncategorized | none | 1995 | Unknown |
Washington University of Science and Technology [25] formerly IGlobal University | Alexandria | Private (For Profit) | Masters University | ACCSC | 2008 | 4221 |
International College of Washington [26] | Annandale | Private (Not For Profit) | Uncategorized | none | 1966 | Unknown |
Johns Hopkins University | Arlington | Private (For Profit) | Research university | MSCHE | 1876 | 26,152 |
Kaplan College | Chesapeake | Private (For Profit) | Associate's college | ACICS | 1938 | 574 |
Kings Park University School of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine [27] | Cedar Bluff | Private (Not For Profit) | Uncategorized | none | Unknown | Unknown |
Life Pacific University | Christiansburg | Private (Pentecostal) | Special focus | WASC-ACCJC | 1923 | 619 |
Lindsey Wilson College School of Professional Counseling | Richlands | Private (Methodist) | Uncategorized | SACS | 1903 | Unknown |
Medtech Institute | Falls Church | Private (For Profit) | Uncategorized | COE | 1939 | 531 |
Mercyhurst University | McLean | Private (Catholic) | Masters University | MSCHE | 1926 | 2,705 |
Missouri State University | Fairfax | Public | Masters University | HLC | 1906 | 23,697 |
The National Graduate School [28] | Arlington | Private (Not For Profit) | Uncategorized | NEASC | 1909 | Unknown |
National Massage Therapy Institute [29] | Falls Church | Private | Uncategorized | ABHES | 1998 | Unknown |
Nova Southeastern University | Roanoke | Private | Research university | SACS | 1964 | 20,435 |
Patrick Henry College [30] | Purcellville | Private (Not For Profit) | Baccalaureate college | TRACS | 2000 | 325 |
Potomac College | Herndon | Private (For Profit) | Baccalaureate college | MSCHE | 1901 | 40 |
Reformed Theological Seminary | McLean | Private (Christian) | Faith-related Institution | ATS | 1966 | Unknown |
Saint Leo University | Multiple [10] | Private (Catholic) | Masters University | SACS | 1889 | 5,232 |
Saint Michael College of Allied Health [31] | Alexandria | Private (For Profit) | Uncategorized | none | 1971 | 193 |
Sanford-Brown College | Vienna | Private (For Profit) | Baccalaureate college | ACICS | 1920 | 744 |
Skyline College [9] | Roanoke | Private (For Profit) | Associate's college | ACCSC | 1969 | 355 |
South Baylo University [32] | Annandale | Private (Not For Profit) | Uncategorized | none | 1977 | 410 |
South University [9] | Multiple [10] | Private (For Profit) | Baccalaureate college | SACS | 1867 | 536 |
Southern Illinois University Carbondale | Virginia Beach | Public | Research university | HLC | Unknown | Unknown |
Southern Virginia University | Buena Vista | Private (For Profit) | Baccalaureate college | SACS | 1867 | 1,035 |
Southside Regional Medical Center Professional Schools [33] | Petersburg | Private (For Profit) | Uncategorized | JRCERT | 1895 | 131 |
Strayer University | Multiple [10] | Private (For Profit) | Masters University | MSCHE | 1892 | 12,918 |
University of Fairfax | Vienna | Private (Not For Profit) | Uncategorized | DETC | 2002 | Unknown |
University of Maryland Global Campus formerly UMUC | Fort Belvoir | Public | Research university | MSCHE | 1807 | Unknown |
University of North America [34] | Vienna | Private (For Profit) | Uncategorized | ACICS | 2008 | 310 |
University of Phoenix | Multiple [10] | Private | Special focus | HLC | Unknown | 1172 |
University of Valley Forge | Woodbridge | Private (Assemblies) | Baccalaureate college | MSCHE | Unknown | Unknown |
Virginia College [35] | Richmond | Private (For Profit) | Uncategorized | ACICS | 1983 | Unknown |
Virginia School of Massage [36] | Charlottesville | Private (Not For Profit) | Uncategorized | ACCSC | 1995 | Unknown |
Virginia School of Nursing & Medical Institute [37] | Springfield | Private (Not For Profit) | Uncategorized | none | 1901 | Unknown |
Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine | Roanoke | Public/ Private | Uncategorized | none | 2010 | Unknown |
Virginia University of Lynchburg | Lynchburg | Private (Not For Profit) | Special focus | TRACS | 1886 | 555 |
Virginia University of Oriental Medicine [38] | Fairfax | Private (Not For Profit) | Uncategorized | none | 2004 | Unknown |
Washington Baptist University [39] | Annandale | Private (Baptist) | Uncategorized | none | Unknown | Unknown |
Webster University | Fort Belvoir | Private (Not For Profit) | Uncategorized | HLC | 1915 | Unknown |
Westwood College Of Technology [9] | Multiple [10] | Private (For Profit) | Baccalaureate / Associate's college | ACICS | 1953 | 1043 |
World College | Virginia Beach | Private (Not For Profit) | Uncategorized | DETC | 1992 | Unknown |
William Samson University | Alexandria | Private (Not For Profit) | Doctoral university | None | 2012 | Unknown |
School | Location(s) [7] | Control | Type [14] | Accreditation | Founded | Enrollment [8] |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond | Richmond | Private (Not For Profit) | Special focus | ATS | 1991 | 63 |
Washington Bible College and Capital Bible Seminary (Springfield Extension) | Springfield | Private (Not For Profit) | Uncategorized | none | 1958 | Unknown |
Cordoba University | Ashburn | Private (Islamic) | Uncategorized | none | Unknown | Unknown |
Hartland College | Rapidan | Private (Not For Profit) | Uncategorized | none | 1983 | Unknown |
John Leland Center for Theological Studies | Falls Church | Private (Not For Profit) | Uncategorized | none | 1998 | Unknown |
Virginia Theological Seminary | Alexandria | Private (Not For Profit) | Uncategorized | ATS | 1818 | 216 |
William Samson University | Alexandria | Private (Not For Profit) | Doctoral university | None | 2012 | Unknown |
Union Presbyterian Seminary | Richmond | Private (Not For Profit) | Special focus | ATS | 2012 | 146 |
School | Location(s) [7] | Founded | Closed |
---|---|---|---|
Elizabeth College | Salem | 1826 | 1922 |
Fauquier Institute | Warrenton | 1860 | c. 1929 |
Medtech College | Fairfax | 1939 | 2016 |
Saint Paul's College | Lawrenceville | 1888 | 2013 |
Stratford College | Danville | 1854 | 1974 |
Sullins College | Bristol | 1868 | 1976 |
University of Northern Virginia | Annandale | 1998 | 2014 |
Virginia Intermont College | Bristol | 1884 | 2014 [40] |
The Art Institute of Washington | Arlington | 2000 | 2018 |
Argosy University - Washington D.C. Area | Arlington | 2019 | |
Richmond School of Health and Technology [41] | Multiple [10] | 1997 | |
Southeast Culinary & Hospitality College [42] | Bristol | unknown | |
American College of Commerce and Technology [16] | Falls Church | 2010 | 2017 |
Stratford University | Multiple | 1976 | 2022 |
Atlantic University is an American private non-profit distance education institution of higher and continuing education in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The university is associated with Edgar Cayce's Association for Research and Enlightenment (A.R.E.), and its administrative offices are in the Don and Nancy de Laski Education Center on the main A.R.E. campus. The university is nationally accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), which is a member of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), for its distance education and hybrid programs. The university also maintains licensure with the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV).
The Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS) is a U.S. based institutional accreditation organization that focuses on Christian colleges, universities, and seminaries seeking collegiate accreditation in the United States. TRACS, which is based in Forest, Virginia, is recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
The University of Northern Virginia (UNVA) was an unaccredited for-profit private undergraduate and graduate university in Annandale, Virginia, The university offered bachelors, Masters and doctoral degrees. Although UNVA was not well known within the United States, it called itself the most popular American university for students from India.
Stratford University was a private university based in Virginia. Founded in 1976, Stratford delivered online, classroom, and blended online/classroom programs. It closed at the end of the Fall 2022 semester after losing its accreditation.
The University of Fairfax is an institution of higher education headquartered in Salem, Virginia. It offers online graduate degrees in cybersecurity, cloud computing, computer science and engineering, and business as well as several graduate certificates. The entire program is provided via instructor led conference calls and online instruction.
The University of Management and Technology (UMT) is a private for-profit online university headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. It was founded in 1998 and offers associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees as well as certificate programs.
ACT College was a private career college in northern Virginia specializing in Allied health career training. On April 3, 2012, ACT College's website announced that it had closed.
Fairfax University of America is a private university in Fairfax, Virginia. It was established in 1998, and then as a non-profit 501(c)(3) university in 1999. The university is certified to operate in Virginia by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) and was formerly accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS). However, in 2016 the United States Secretary of Education denied ACICS's accrediting status for failing to meet 21 recognition criteria.
University of Massachusetts Global, formerly Brandman University, is a private university with 25 campuses throughout California and Washington and a virtual campus. The university offers more than 90 degree, certificate, credential and professional programs for working adults. Brandman was a separate, regionally-accredited university within the Chapman University system. In September 2021, Brandman separated from the Chapman University system, and formed a new affiliation with the University of Massachusetts, UMass Global. UMass Global is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission.
Global Health College is a private for-profit nursing school in Alexandria, Virginia. It offers a Practical Nursing program, an Associate in Applied Science in Nursing degree for Registered Nurses, and a Certified Nursing Assistant program.
Huntington Junior College (HJC) is a private for-profit junior college in Huntington, West Virginia. It was founded in 1936 and its campus is currently located in the former Cabell County Public Library building. The college offers six associate degree programs as well as stackable certificates and micro-credentials. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.