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 (not for profit)
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 College
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 Universities
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, VA , Washington DC , online
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(Virginia Community College System )
Private college
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
Defunct institutions
See also
References and notes