List of colleges and universities in Virginia

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 143,000 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.

Public and established private institutions

Name	Location(s) [7]	Control	Carnegie Classification	Accreditation	Founded	Enrollment [8]
American National University [9]	Multiple [10]	Private (for profit)	Masters university	ACICS	1886	1,113
Appalachian College of Pharmacy	Oakwood	Private (not for profit)	Special focus	ACPE	2003	130
Appalachian School of Law	Grundy	Private (not for profit)	Special focus	ABA	1994	152
Averett University [11]	Danville	Private (not for profit)	Masters university	SACS	1859	1,363
Blue Ridge Community College	Weyers Cave	Public (Virginia Community College System)	Baccalaureate / Associates Colleges	SACS	1967	3,562
Bluefield University	Bluefield	Private (Baptist)	Baccalaureate college	SACS	1922	991
Bridgewater College	Bridgewater	Private (Brethren)	Baccalaureate / Associates Colleges	SACS	1880	1,421
Brightpoint Community College	Chester	Public (Virginia Community College System)	Baccalaureate / Associates Colleges	SACS	1967	8,792
Central Virginia Community College	Lynchburg	Public (Virginia Community College System)	Baccalaureate / Associates Colleges	SACS	1966	3,388
Christendom College	Front Royal	Private (Catholic)	Uncategorized	SACS	1977	615
Christopher Newport University	Newport News	Public	Masters university	SACS	1960	4,559
College of William and Mary	Williamsburg	Public	Research university	SACS	1693	9,654
Danville Community College	Danville	Public (Virginia Community College System)	Junior college	SACS	1936	2,274
Divine Mercy University	Sterling	Private (Catholic)	Doctoral university	SACS	1999	407
Eastern Mennonite University	Harrisonburg	Private (Mennonite)	Baccalaureate college	SACS	1917	1,334
Eastern Shore Community College	Melfa	Public (Virginia Community College System)	Junior college	SACS	1971	658
Eastern Virginia Medical School	Norfolk	Private (not for profit)	Doctoral university	SACS	1973	1,319
ECPI University	Multiple [10]	Private (for profit)	Baccalaureate college	SACS	1966	11,740
Emory and Henry University	Emory	Private (Methodist)	Baccalaureate college	SACS	1836	1,358
Fairfax University of America	Fairfax	Private (not for profit)	Masters university	ACICS	1998	43
Ferrum College	Ferrum	Private (Methodist)	Baccalaureate college	SACS	1913	855
George Mason University	Fairfax	Public	Research university	SACS	1957	39,049
George Washington University	Multiple [10]	Private (not for profit)	Research university	MSCHE	1821	25,939
Germanna Community College	Locust Grove	Public (Virginia Community College System)	Junior college	SACS	1970	7,688
Hampden-Sydney College	Hampden Sydney	Private (not for profit)	Baccalaureate college	SACS	1775	846
Hampton University	Hampton	Private (not for profit)	Masters university	SACS	1868	3,286
Hollins University	Roanoke	Private (not for profit)	Baccalaureate college	SACS	1842	803
Institute for the Psychological Sciences	Arlington	Private (Catholic)	Doctoral university	SACS	1997	160
J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College	Richmond	Public (Virginia Community College System)	Baccalaureate / Associates Colleges	SACS	1972	7,527
James Madison University	Harrisonburg	Public	Research university	SACS	1908	22,224
Jefferson College of Health Sciences [12]	Roanoke	Private	Doctoral university	SACS	1982	Unknown
Laurel Ridge Community College	Middletown	Public (Virginia Community College System)	Baccalaureate / Associates Colleges	SACS	1970	5,720
Liberty University	Lynchburg	Private (Baptist)	Research university	SACS	1971	96,709
Longwood University	Farmville	Public	Masters university	SACS	1839	4,358
Marine Corps University [13]	Quantico	Public (United States Marine Corps)	Special focus	SACS	1989	269 [14]
Mary Baldwin University	Staunton	Private	Masters university	SACS	1842	1,957
Marymount University	Arlington	Private (Catholic)	Masters university	SACS	1950	3,711
Mountain Empire Community College	Big Stone Gap	Public (Virginia Community College System)	Junior college	SACS	1972	1,928
Mountain Gateway Community College	Clifton Forge	Public (Virginia Community College System)	Junior college	SACS	1964	946
New River Community College	Dublin	Public (Virginia Community College System)	Junior college	SACS	1959	3,980
Norfolk State University	Norfolk	Public	Masters university	SACS	1935	5,783
Northern Virginia Community College	Annandale	Public (Virginia Community College System)	Junior college	SACS	1964	51,896
Old Dominion University	Norfolk	Public	Research university	SACS	1930	23,107
Patrick & Henry Community College	Martinsville	Public (Virginia Community College System)	Junior college	SACS	1962	1,861
Paul D. Camp Community College	Franklin	Public (Virginia Community College System)	Junior college	SACS	1970	1,188
Piedmont Virginia Community College	Charlottesville	Public (Virginia Community College System)	Junior college	SACS	1972	5,022
Radford University	Radford	Public	Masters university	SACS	1910	7,718
Randolph College	Lynchburg	Private	Baccalaureate college	SACS	1891	553
Randolph–Macon College	Ashland	Private	Baccalaureate college	SACS	1830	1,490
Rappahannock Community College	Glenns, Warsaw	Public (Virginia Community College System)	Junior college	SACS	1969	2,591
Regent University	Virginia Beach	Private (Christian)	Doctoral university	SACS	1977	10,337
Richard Bland College	Petersburg	Public (Junior college associated with the College of William and Mary)	Junior college	SACS	1960	2,051
Roanoke College	Salem	Private (Lutheran)	Baccalaureate college	SACS	1842	1,826
Sentara College of Health Sciences	Chesapeake	Private (not for profit)	Baccalaureate college	ABHES	1892	331
Shenandoah University	Winchester	Private (Methodist)	Masters university	SACS	1875	4,260
Southside Virginia Community College	Alberta, Keysville	Public (Virginia Community College System)	Junior college	SACS	1970	3,112
Southwest Virginia Community College	Richlands	Public (Virginia Community College System)	Junior college	SACS	1968	2,163
Sweet Briar College	Sweet Briar	Private (not for profit)	Baccalaureate / Associates Colleges	SACS	1901 [15]	460
Tidewater Community College	Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Virginia Beach	Public (Virginia Community College System)	Junior college	SACS	1968	16,195
Union Presbyterian Seminary	Richmond	Private (Presbyterian)	Special focus	ATS	1896	177
University of Lynchburg	Lynchburg	Private (Disciples)	Masters university	SACS	1903	2,394
University of Management and Technology	Arlington	Private (for profit)	Baccalaureate college	DETC	1998	1,189
University of Mary Washington	Fredericksburg	Public	Masters university	SACS	1908	3,757
University of the Potomac	Falls Church	Private (for profit)	Special focus	SACS	1989	1652
University of Richmond	Richmond	Private (not for profit)	Baccalaureate college	SACS	1830	3,876
University of Virginia	Charlottesville	Public	Research university	SACS	1819	26,082
University of Virginia's College at Wise	Wise	Public (University of Virginia)	Baccalaureate college	SACS	1954	1,704
Virginia Commonwealth University	Richmond	Public	Research university	SACS	1838	28,082
Virginia Highlands Community College	Abingdon	Public (Virginia Community College System)	Junior college	SACS	1969	2,068
Virginia–Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine	Blacksburg	Public (Jointly by Virginia Tech & University of Maryland)	Masters university	SACS	1978	480 [16]
Virginia Military Institute	Lexington	Public	Baccalaureate college	SACS	1839	1,512
Virginia Peninsula Community College	Hampton	Public (Virginia Community College System)	Junior college	SACS	1968	6,018
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech)	Blacksburg	Public	Research university	SACS	1872	38,170
Virginia State University	Petersburg	Public	Masters university	SACS	1882	4,648
Virginia Union University	Richmond	Private (Baptist)	Baccalaureate college	SACS	1865	1,860
Virginia University of Lynchburg	Lynchburg	Private (Christian)	Doctoral university	TRACS	1886	837
Virginia University of Science & Technology	McLean	Private (for profit)	Masters university	Unaccredited	2016	Unknown
Virginia Wesleyan University	Norfolk	Private (Methodist)	Baccalaureate college	SACS	1961	1,538
Virginia Western Community College	Roanoke	Public (Virginia Community College System)	Junior college	SACS	1966	5,860
Washington and Lee University	Lexington	Private (not for profit)	Baccalaureate college	SACS	1749	2,243
Wytheville Community College	Wytheville	Public (Virginia Community College System)	Junior college	SACS	1963	2,116

Private and out-of-state institutions

School	Location(s) [7]	Control	Type [17]	Accreditation	Founded	Enrollment [8]
ACT College	Arlington	Private (not for profit)	Uncategorized	ABHES	1983	401
Advanced Institute of Technology [18]	Virginia Beach	Private (for profit)	Uncategorized	ACCSC	1992	1040
American Digital University [19]	Sterling	Private (for profit)	Uncategorized	none	Unknown	Unknown
American Public University System	Manassas [20]	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] [21]	Multiple [10]	Private (for profit)	Associate's college	ACCSC	1969	509
Bethel College [22]	Hampton	Private (not for profit)	Uncategorized	none	1887	76
Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing [23]	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] [24]	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 [25]	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
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 [26]	Alexandria	Private (for profit)	Associate's college	none	2004	276
HyperLearning Technologies, Inc. [27]	Virginia Beach	Private (for profit)	Uncategorized	none	1995	Unknown
International College of Washington [28]	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 [29]	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 [30]	Arlington	Private (not for profit)	Uncategorized	NEASC	1909	Unknown
National Massage Therapy Institute [31]	Falls Church	Private	Uncategorized	ABHES	1998	Unknown
Nova Southeastern University	Roanoke	Private	Research university	SACS	1964	20,435
Patrick Henry College [32]	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 [33]	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 [34]	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 [35]	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 [36]	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 [37]	Richmond	Private (for profit)	Uncategorized	ACICS	1983	Unknown
Virginia School of Massage [38]	Charlottesville	Private (not for profit)	Uncategorized	ACCSC	1995	Unknown
Virginia School of Nursing & Medical Institute [39]	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 [40]	Fairfax	Private (not for profit)	Uncategorized	none	2004	Unknown
Washington Baptist University [41]	Annandale	Private (Baptist)	Uncategorized	none	Unknown	Unknown
Washington University of Science and Technology, [42] formerly IGlobal University	Alexandria	Private (for profit)	Masters university	ACCSC	2008	4221
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
William Samson University	Alexandria	Private (not for profit)	Doctoral university	None	2012	Unknown
World College	Virginia Beach	Private (not for profit)	Uncategorized	DETC	1992	Unknown

Primarily religious institutions

School	Location(s) [7]	Control	Type [17]	Accreditation	Founded	Enrollment [8]
Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond	Richmond	Private (not for profit)	Special focus	ATS	1991	63
Cordoba University	Ashburn	Private (Islamic)	Uncategorized	none	Unknown	Unknown
Hartland College	Rapidan	Private (not for profit)	Uncategorized	none	1983	90 (2015) [43]
John Leland Center for Theological Studies	Falls Church	Private (not for profit)	Uncategorized	none	1998	Unknown
Union Presbyterian Seminary	Richmond	Private (not for profit)	Special focus	ATS	2012	146
Virginia Theological Seminary	Alexandria	Private (not for profit)	Uncategorized	ATS	1818	216
Washington Bible College and Capital Bible Seminary (Springfield Extension)	Springfield	Private (not for profit)	Uncategorized	none	1958	Unknown
William Samson University	Alexandria	Private (not for profit)	Doctoral university	None	2012	Unknown

Defunct institutions

School	Location(s) [7]	Founded	Closed
American College of Commerce and Technology [19]	Falls Church	2010	2017
Argosy University - Washington D.C. area	Arlington		2019
The Art Institute of Washington	Arlington	2000	2018
Eastern College	Front Royal and Manassas	1902	1920
Elizabeth College	Salem	1826	1922
Fauquier Institute	Warrenton	1860	c. 1929
Medtech College	Fairfax	1939	2016
Richmond School of Health and Technology [44]	Multiple [10]	1997
Saint Paul's College	Lawrenceville	1888	2013
Southeast Culinary & Hospitality College [45]	Bristol	2005 [45]
Stratford College	Danville	1854	1974
Stratford University	Multiple	1976	2022
Sullins College	Bristol	1868	1976
University of Northern Virginia	Annandale	1998	2014
Virginia Intermont College	Bristol	1884	2014 [46]

See also

• Virginia portal

• Higher education in the United States
• List of college athletic programs in Virginia
• List of American institutions of higher education
• List of recognized higher education accreditation organizations
• List of colleges and universities
• List of colleges and universities by country

References

Specific

1. "Liberty University Quick Facts - About Liberty - Liberty University". www.liberty.edu. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
2. State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. "Public Colleges & Universities Authorized to Operate in Virginia". Archived from the original on September 26, 2011. Retrieved October 5, 2011.
3. State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. "Private Institutions exempt from certification". Archived from the original on October 3, 2011. Retrieved October 5, 2011.
4. State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. "Explanation of Certification". Archived from the original on September 29, 2011. Retrieved October 5, 2011.
5. State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. "Private & Out-of-State Colleges & Universities Certified to Operate in Virginia". Archived from the original on September 29, 2011. Retrieved October 5, 2011.
6. State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. "Private Institutions that Confer Religious Degrees". Archived from the original on December 7, 2011. Retrieved October 5, 2011.
7. Primary campus for Virginia-based institutions.
8. Enrollment as of 2022; data is from IPEDS unless otherwise noted.
9. IPEDS lists multiple locations in Virginia; enrollment numbers are combined here.
10. SCHEV lists multiple locations.
11. Averett University's non-traditional programs are listed separately in IPEDS; enrollment numbers are combined here.
12. Merged with Radford University to become Radford University Carilion
13. Not supervised by SCHEV Archived 2012-04-07 at the Wayback Machine
14. "Marine Corps University". CARNEGIE CLASSIFICATION OF INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
15. "Sweet Briar College". Sbc.edu. Retrieved December 1, 2015.
16. "About VMCVM". vetmed.vt.edu. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
17. School types are based on the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. "Uncategorized" indicates they are not listed by Carnegie.
18. "Advanced Technology Institute". Auto.edu. Retrieved October 16, 2012.
19. "ACCT: American College of Commerce and Technology". Acct2day.org. January 17, 2011. Retrieved October 16, 2012.
20. APUS is an online university. The Manassas office is administrative.
21. "Aviation Institute Of Maintenance". Aviationmaintenance.edu. Retrieved October 16, 2012.
22. "Home". Bethel-college.com. Retrieved October 16, 2012.
23. "Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing". Bsmcon.edu. September 25, 2012. Retrieved October 16, 2012.
24. "Centura College Career School". Centuracollege.edu. Retrieved October 16, 2012.
25. "Columbia College Washington D.C". Ccdc.edu. Retrieved October 16, 2012.
26. "Welcome to Global Health College! - Global Health College | Global Health College". Ghnts.com. Retrieved October 16, 2012.
27. "Computer training and certification center in Virginia Beach - Hyperlearning Technologies". Hyperlearn.com. Retrieved October 16, 2012.
28. "International College of Washington". Intcw.com. Retrieved October 16, 2012.
29. "Kings Park University | School of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine". Kpu.us. Retrieved October 16, 2012.
30. "NGS | The National Graduate School of Quality Management | National Graduate School". Ngs.edu. Retrieved October 16, 2012.
31. "Massage Therapy Training | School of Massage Therapy | NMTI". Studymassage.com. May 21, 2012. Retrieved October 16, 2012.
32. "Patrick Henry College Essentials" . Retrieved October 5, 2011.
33. "index". Stmichaelcollegeva.us. Archived from the original on September 17, 2012. Retrieved October 16, 2012.
34. "[Home page]". South Baylo University.
35. "srmconline.org". srmconline.org. Retrieved October 16, 2012.
36. "University of North America". Uona.edu. Retrieved October 21, 2014.
37. "Associate Degree, College Degrees - Virginia College". Vc.edu. Retrieved October 16, 2012.
38. "Virginia School of Massage - Massage Therapy Schools". VASOM. Retrieved December 1, 2015.
39. "VSNMI". Archived from the original on February 2, 2011. Retrieved October 12, 2011.
40. "Virginia University of Oriental Medicine | VUOM Site". Vuom.org. Retrieved December 1, 2015.
41. "Washington Baptist University". Archived from the original on September 16, 2011. Retrieved October 12, 2011.
42. "IGlobal University". IGlobal University. Archived from the original on October 23, 2012. Retrieved October 16, 2012.
43. Kashouty, Kane (April 16, 2015). "Hartland Institute offers unique experience". The Daily Progress. Retrieved May 2, 2025.
44. "Home". Rsht.edu. Archived from the original on July 6, 2012. Retrieved October 16, 2012.
45. "Southeast Culinary & Hospitality College". Southeastculinary.edu. Archived from the original on October 15, 2012. Retrieved October 16, 2012.
46. "Virginia Intermont closes after 130 years" . Retrieved May 5, 2016.

General

• Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. "The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education". Archived from the original on August 22, 2008. Retrieved October 5, 2011.
• National Center for Education Statistics. "Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System" . Retrieved October 5, 2011.