Virginia
Colleges in Virginia
Virginia has 61 accredited four-year colleges on College Compass Guide, each rated on academics and value from federal data; 21 are Compass Recommended.
Map of colleges in Virginia
Hover or tap a dot to see the school and its score.
Compass ScoreNot yet ratedMap: U.S. Census Bureau boundaries; roads and places © OpenStreetMap contributors via OpenFreeMap.
Highest-rated colleges in Virginia
#1 in Virginia
Washington and Lee University
Compass ScoreExceptional · Top 2%Lexington, VA · Value B+ · Academics A+
#2 in Virginia
University of Virginia
Compass ScoreExceptional · Top 4%Charlottesville, VA · Value A · Academics A
#3 in Virginia
Riverside College of Health Careers
Compass ScoreExceptional · Top 4%Newport News, VA · Value A- · Academics A
Top lists in Virginia
- 51 schoolsBest colleges
- 33 schoolsBest colleges for nursing
- 22 schoolsBest colleges for engineering
- 47 schoolsBest colleges for business
- 32 schoolsBest colleges for education
- 38 schoolsBest colleges for biology and pre-med
- 41 schoolsBest colleges for psychology
- 18 schoolsBest colleges for computer science
Show all 47 lists
- 34 schoolsBest colleges for communications and journalism
- 27 schoolsBest colleges for accounting
- 10 schoolsBest colleges for finance
- 15 schoolsBest colleges for marketing
- 25 schoolsBest colleges for criminal justice
- 38 schoolsBest colleges for political science and pre-law
- 27 schoolsBest colleges for economics
- 40 schoolsBest colleges for history
- 38 schoolsBest colleges for English
- 38 schoolsBest colleges for mathematics
- 36 schoolsBest colleges for chemistry
- 34 schoolsBest colleges for music
- 33 schoolsBest colleges for art and design
- 24 schoolsBest colleges for exercise science and kinesiology
- 15 schoolsBest colleges for social work
- 20 schoolsBest value colleges
- 20 schoolsMost affordable colleges with strong academics
- 51 schoolsColleges with the highest graduation rates
- 30 schoolsBest small colleges
- 8 schoolsBest large colleges
- 13 schoolsBest mid-size colleges
- 14 schoolsBest colleges for NCAA Division I athletes
- 4 schoolsBest colleges for NCAA Division II athletes
- 19 schoolsBest colleges for NCAA Division III athletes
- 43 schoolsBest test-optional colleges
- 5 schoolsBest online colleges
- 20 schoolsColleges with the biggest discount off the sticker price
- 18 schoolsLowest net price for middle-income families
- 21 schoolsColleges with the lowest student debt
- 20 schoolsColleges with the best earnings for the price
- 19 schoolsColleges that pay for themselves fastest
- 4 schoolsBest colleges under $20,000 a year
- 3 schoolsHidden gem colleges
- 20 schoolsBest value colleges in the South
- 20 schoolsColleges where the most freshmen return
- 22 schoolsColleges with the most faculty per student
- 22 schoolsColleges that spend the most on teaching
- 4 schoolsColleges where Pell Grant students thrive
- 22 schoolsMost selective colleges
All colleges in Virginia
| School | Compass Score | Value | Academics | Net price | Students |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington and Lee University Honor RollCollege Compass Guide Honor Roll: the top 10% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ and A), from academics and value. Lexington · Private nonprofit | B+Value: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F. | A+Academics: A+ (grade A+): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $23,781 | 2,277 | |
| University of Virginia Honor RollCollege Compass Guide Honor Roll: the top 10% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ and A), from academics and value. Charlottesville · Public | AValue: Exceptional (grade A): the top 10% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F. | AAcademics: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $21,565 | 25,924 | |
| Riverside College of Health Careers RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value. Newport News · Private nonprofit | A-Value: Excellent (grade A-): the top 20% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F. | AAcademics: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $20,744 | 325 | |
| University of Richmond Honor RollCollege Compass Guide Honor Roll: the top 10% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ and A), from academics and value. University of Richmond · Private nonprofit | BValue: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F. | A+Academics: A+ (grade A+): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $31,309 | 3,776 | |
| William & Mary Honor RollCollege Compass Guide Honor Roll: the top 10% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ and A), from academics and value. Williamsburg · Public | AValue: Exceptional (grade A): the top 10% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F. | AAcademics: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $19,096 | 9,762 | |
| Washington University of Science and Technology Honor RollCollege Compass Guide Honor Roll: the top 10% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ and A), from academics and value. Alexandria · Private for-profit | N/AValue: Not enough information. Federal data does not cover enough of this to grade it yet. | BAcademics: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | — | 1,105 | |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Honor RollCollege Compass Guide Honor Roll: the top 10% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ and A), from academics and value. Blacksburg · Public | B+Value: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F. | AAcademics: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $24,953 | 38,294 | |
| Chamberlain University-Virginia RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value. Vienna · Private for-profit | B-Value: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F. | AAcademics: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $33,199 | 567 | |
| Centra College RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value. Lynchburg · Private nonprofit | N/AValue: Not enough information. Federal data does not cover enough of this to grade it yet. | AAcademics: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | — | 212 | |
| James Madison University RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value. Harrisonburg · Public | B+Value: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F. | A-Academics: A- (grade A-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $23,322 | 22,758 | |
| Patrick Henry College RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value. Purcellville · Private nonprofit | N/AValue: Not enough information. Federal data does not cover enough of this to grade it yet. | A-Academics: A- (grade A-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | — | 408 | |
| Virginia Military Institute RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value. Lexington · Public | AValue: Exceptional (grade A): the top 10% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F. | A-Academics: A- (grade A-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $17,113 | 1,560 | |
| Hampden-Sydney College RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.All-maleAll-male: the school enrolls men only. Hampden-Sydney · Private nonprofit | BValue: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F. | A-Academics: A- (grade A-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $22,400 | 876 | |
| George Mason University RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value. Fairfax · Public | AValue: Exceptional (grade A): the top 10% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F. | A-Academics: A- (grade A-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $17,915 | 39,527 | |
| University of Mary Washington RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value. Fredericksburg · Public | B+Value: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F. | A-Academics: A- (grade A-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $20,667 | 3,808 | |
| Christopher Newport University RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value. Newport News · Public | BValue: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F. | A-Academics: A- (grade A-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $23,015 | 4,503 | |
| Hollins University RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.All-femaleAll-female: the school enrolls women only. Roanoke · Private nonprofit | C+Value: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F. | A-Academics: A- (grade A-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $20,896 | 782 | |
| Roanoke College RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value. Salem · Private nonprofit | B-Value: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F. | B+Academics: B+ (grade B+): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $24,503 | 1,835 | |
| Regent University RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value. Virginia Beach · Private nonprofit | B-Value: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F. | B-Academics: B- (grade B-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $19,923 | 10,168 | |
| Randolph-Macon College RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value. Ashland · Private nonprofit | C+Value: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F. | A-Academics: A- (grade A-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $27,866 | 1,523 | |
| University of Virginia's College at Wise RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value. Wise · Public | A-Value: Excellent (grade A-): the top 20% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F. | BAcademics: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $9,210 | 1,911 | |
| Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond · Public | BValue: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F. | B+Academics: B+ (grade B+): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $23,433 | 28,238 | |
| Shenandoah University Winchester · Private nonprofit | C+Value: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F. | A-Academics: A- (grade A-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $30,298 | 4,343 | |
| University of Lynchburg Lynchburg · Private nonprofit | B-Value: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F. | BAcademics: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $22,235 | 2,592 | |
| Eastern Mennonite University Harrisonburg · Private nonprofit | B-Value: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F. | A-Academics: A- (grade A-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $24,588 | 1,292 | |
| Longwood University Farmville · Public | BValue: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F. | BAcademics: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $19,066 | 4,545 | |
| American National University Salem · Private for-profit | B-Value: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F. | B-Academics: B- (grade B-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $18,036 | 824 | |
| Liberty University Lynchburg · Private nonprofit | C+Value: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F. | BAcademics: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $29,357 | 103,068 | |
| Sweet Briar College All-femaleAll-female: the school enrolls women only. Sweet Briar · Private nonprofit | BValue: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F. | B+Academics: B+ (grade B+): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $17,758 | 464 | |
| Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach Virginia Beach · Private nonprofit | B-Value: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F. | C+Academics: C+ (grade C+): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $12,038 | 1,339 | |
| Bridgewater College Bridgewater · Private nonprofit | BValue: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F. | BAcademics: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $17,800 | 1,436 | |
| Hampton University Hampton · Private nonprofit | B-Value: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F. | BAcademics: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $25,319 | 3,649 | |
| Old Dominion University Norfolk · Public | B+Value: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F. | BAcademics: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $14,638 | 22,541 | |
| South University-Virginia Beach Virginia Beach · Private for-profit | C+Value: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F. | B-Academics: B- (grade B-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $27,843 | 270 | |
| Emory & Henry University Emory · Private nonprofit | B-Value: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F. | BAcademics: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $19,061 | 1,364 | |
| Averett University Danville · Private nonprofit | B-Value: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F. | B-Academics: B- (grade B-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $22,925 | 1,378 | |
| Randolph College Lynchburg · Private nonprofit | BValue: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F. | BAcademics: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $15,921 | 634 | |
| Radford University Radford · Public | B+Value: Very good (grade B+): the top 35% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F. | BAcademics: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $14,578 | 7,531 | |
| Marymount University Arlington · Private nonprofit | B-Value: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F. | BAcademics: Good (grade B): 70 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $29,137 | 3,667 | |
| Virginia University of Lynchburg Lynchburg · Private nonprofit | C+Value: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F. | B-Academics: B- (grade B-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $21,253 | 589 | |
| Mary Baldwin University Staunton · Private nonprofit | BValue: Good (grade B): the top 55% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F. | B-Academics: B- (grade B-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $12,756 | 1,792 | |
| Virginia Wesleyan University Virginia Beach · Private nonprofit | B-Value: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F. | B-Academics: B- (grade B-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $19,676 | 1,711 | |
| South University-Richmond Glen Allen · Private for-profit | C+Value: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F. | B-Academics: B- (grade B-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $30,442 | 417 | |
| Bluefield University Bluefield · Private nonprofit | B-Value: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F. | C+Academics: C+ (grade C+): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $25,573 | 989 | |
| Southern Virginia University Buena Vista · Private nonprofit | B-Value: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F. | B-Academics: B- (grade B-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $22,213 | 967 | |
| ECPI University Virginia Beach · Private for-profit | B-Value: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F. | B-Academics: B- (grade B-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $22,965 | 11,745 | |
| Virginia State University Petersburg · Public | B-Value: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F. | B-Academics: B- (grade B-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $15,840 | 5,190 | |
| Ferrum College Ferrum · Private nonprofit | C+Value: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F. | B-Academics: B- (grade B-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $20,082 | 767 | |
| Strayer University-Virginia Arlington · Private for-profit | C+Value: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F. | C+Academics: C+ (grade C+): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $19,578 | 2,382 | |
| Norfolk State University Norfolk · Public | B-Value: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F. | B-Academics: B- (grade B-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $15,282 | 6,045 | |
| Virginia Union University Richmond · Private nonprofit | B-Value: Good (grade B-): the top 75% of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F. | C+Academics: C+ (grade C+): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | $13,235 | 1,662 | |
| University of Management and Technology Arlington · Private for-profit | — | N/AValue: Not enough information. Federal data does not cover enough of this to grade it yet. | B-Academics: B- (grade B-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | — | 1,167 |
| University of the Potomac-VA Campus FALLS CHURCH · Private for-profit | — | N/AValue: Not enough information. Federal data does not cover enough of this to grade it yet. | B-Academics: B- (grade B-): 0 to 100 points out of 100, from federal data. | — | 547 |
| Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing Richmond · Private nonprofit | — | N/AValue: Not enough information. Federal data does not cover enough of this to grade it yet. | N/AAcademics: Not enough information. Federal data does not cover enough of this to grade it yet. | — | 527 |
| Sentara College of Health Sciences Chesapeake · Private nonprofit | — | N/AValue: Not enough information. Federal data does not cover enough of this to grade it yet. | N/AAcademics: Not enough information. Federal data does not cover enough of this to grade it yet. | — | 300 |
| Arizona College of Nursing-Falls Church Falls Church · Private for-profit | — | C+Value: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F. | N/AAcademics: Not enough information. Federal data does not cover enough of this to grade it yet. | $38,690 | 284 |
| Centura College-Chesapeake Chesapeake · Private for-profit | — | N/AValue: Not enough information. Federal data does not cover enough of this to grade it yet. | N/AAcademics: Not enough information. Federal data does not cover enough of this to grade it yet. | — | 225 |
| Lotus Professional College Richmond · Private for-profit | — | N/AValue: Not enough information. Federal data does not cover enough of this to grade it yet. | N/AAcademics: Not enough information. Federal data does not cover enough of this to grade it yet. | — | 161 |
| DeVry University-Virginia Arlington · Private for-profit | — | C+Value: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F. | N/AAcademics: Not enough information. Federal data does not cover enough of this to grade it yet. | $36,609 | 32 |
| Arizona College of Nursing - Chesapeake Chesapeake · Private for-profit | — | C+Value: Solid (grade C+): the rest of rated colleges. Letters are set by rank, so no college gets a D or an F. | N/AAcademics: Not enough information. Federal data does not cover enough of this to grade it yet. | $33,626 | — |
| Christendom College Front Royal · Private nonprofit | — | N/AValue: Not enough information. Federal data does not cover enough of this to grade it yet. | N/AAcademics: Not enough information. Federal data does not cover enough of this to grade it yet. | — | — |
Common questions
How many colleges are in Virginia?
Virginia has 61 accredited four-year colleges on College Compass Guide.
Which colleges in Virginia are Compass Recommended?
Washington and Lee University, University of Virginia, Riverside College of Health Careers, University of Richmond, William & Mary, Washington University of Science and Technology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Chamberlain University-Virginia, Centra College, James Madison University, Patrick Henry College, Virginia Military Institute, Hampden-Sydney College, George Mason University, University of Mary Washington, Christopher Newport University, Hollins University, Roanoke College, Regent University, Randolph-Macon College, University of Virginia's College at Wise. Recommended means the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value (how it works).