Today’s Best Online Colleges in Virginia

One of the perks of living in Virginia is the wide range of higher education options, including the growing number of online degree programs offered by top colleges. Going to an online college in Virginia can be an affordable and convenient way to move forward in an exciting new career or advance in your current field.

Online colleges in Virginia give students benefits you may not find in traditional, in-person settings, including flexible hours for completing classwork and part-time options for those who need more time to complete a degree. This guide highlights some of the best colleges in Virginia to take online classes, complete an unfinished degree, or start a brand new one.  

Top Online Colleges in Virginia for 2024

Finding the right online program requires a bit of research. Whether you want to complete a degree in two years or four (or even more), the best online colleges in Virginia have adapted their programs to make it easier for students to succeed. Schools on our ranking have earned high marks in accreditation, affordability, class flexibility, financial aid opportunities, and student support services. No matter your goals, these schools can help you take the next step in your college career while meeting your busy schedule and budget. 

2 Year Schools 4 Year Schools
or
Select a StateVirginia
About the Ranking
Base Methodology for OnlineColleges.me’s 2024 Online College Rankings
1. Create List of Eligible Schools and Programs
To be eligible for this ranking, schools were required to meet the following criteria based on government data provided by The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
• Institutional accreditation from an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
• At least one program in the subject area offered partially or fully online.
2. Assign Weightings
After creating the list of eligible schools, OnlineColleges.me data scientists assigned weights and ranked schools based on a mix of affordability, support services, and online program availability metrics. Online program availability and overall affordability metrics received the heaviest weightings.
Online Program Availability
• Number of online programs in subject area reported by school to the U.S. Department of Education. Because exact numbers change often and can be difficult to verify, we use a range-based scoring system: 0-5 online programs = 1 star; 6-10 = 2 stars; 11-15 = 3 stars; 16-20 = 4 stars; 21+ = 5 stars. In our design, laptop icons = stars.
• For degree-specific pages, ex: Psychology degrees, we list the current number of online programs available at that school for that degree type, as self-reported by the schools.
Affordability
• Cost – Relative cost of attendance compared to peer schools on the list. Based on tuition and fees per academic year.
• Students w/ Institutional Aid – Percentage of students who receive financial aid from the school itself.
Support Services
• Academic Counseling – Existence of this service on campus or online.
• Career Placement – Existence of this service on campus or online.
About Our Data
OnlineColleges.me’s rankings use the latest official data available from The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Most recent data pull: January of 2024
• 1

  Liberty University

  Lynchburg, Virginia

  Private not-for-profit $$$

  If you prefer to study for your undergraduate or advanced degree from a Christian perspective, you might consider studying at Liberty University. Liberty offers hundreds of bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in nearly every field of academic study. These affordable programs are taught in a flexible virtual classroom environment, while students have the freedom to complete assignments on their own time. Plus, Liberty’s online classes are usually shorter than traditional courses, allowing students to earn a degree on an accelerated timeline. Most online classes are just eight weeks, while a select few are 14 or 17 weeks long. To support their studies, all of Liberty’s online students can access the school’s extensive digital library, online study aids, writing resources, and tech help desk.

  Program Highlights:

  Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services

  • Credits: 120
  • Length: 3.5 years
  • Cost: $390/credit
  • Mode: Fully online
  • Accreditation: SACSCOC

  Master’s in Marketing-Project Management

  • Credits: 36
  • Length: 1.5 years
  • Cost: $565/credit
  • Mode: Fully online
  • Accreditation: SACSCOC

  PhD in Communication

  • Credits: 60
  • Length: 3 years
  • Cost: $595/credit
  • Mode: Fully online
  • Accreditation: SACSCOC

  Online Programs

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  17/1

• 2

  Old Dominion University

  Norfolk, Virginia

  Public $$

  Old Dominion University’s online programs are ideal if you’ve already kicked off your college education with a few classes but haven’t had time to earn a full degree. ODUGlobal makes it easy to transfer existing credits from your previous school and pick up where you left off. Students who are just starting a bachelor’s degree program are also welcome at Old Dominion. While students with previously completed credits can proceed with upper division credits to complete a major, full bachelor’s degree programs and lower division courses are also available online. Undergrad online students can even add a minor to their degree. Not only do ODUGlobal students have identical coursework and professors as on-campus students, but they also have access to dedicated program advisors who can help them navigate their degrees.

  Program Highlights:

  Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering

  • Credits: 128
  • Length: 4 years
  • Cost: $374-$407/credit
  • Mode: Fully online
  • Accreditation: ABET

  Master of Library and Information Studies

  • Credits: 30
  • Length: 2 years
  • Cost: $571-$595/credit
  • Mode: Fully online, with internship
  • Accreditation: ALA

  Educational Leadership PhD

  • Credits: 60
  • Length: 3 years
  • Cost: $571-$595/credit
  • Mode: Fully online
  • Accreditation: SACSCOC

  Online Programs

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  18/1

• 3

  University of Virginia-Main Campus

  Charlottesville, Virginia

  Public $$$$

  Online University of Virginia-Main Campus students can choose from two bachelor’s programs and one master’s degree to pursue their educational goals. The bachelor of arts in interdisciplinary studies is ideal for completing an undergraduate liberal arts degree, while the bachelor’s in healthcare management is well suited to those who want to advance into leadership roles in healthcare. The master of public safety elevates the leadership skills of public safety workers as they grow in their careers. Students of UVA online become part of a collaborative and interactive class environment while balancing their studies with work and family commitments.

  Program Highlights:

  Bachelor’s in Healthcare Management

  • Credits: 120
  • Length: 3-4 years
  • Cost: $488/credit
  • Mode: Fully online
  • Accreditation: SACSCOC

  Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies

  • Credits: 120
  • Length: 3-4 years
  • Cost: $488/credit
  • Mode: Hybrid
  • Accreditation: SACSCOC

  Master of Public Safety

  • Credits: 30
  • Length: 20 months
  • Cost: $611/credit
  • Mode: Fully online
  • Accreditation: SACSCOC

  Online Programs

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  15/1

• 4

  Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

  Blacksburg, Virginia

  Public $$$

  With online master’s degrees in fields ranging from engineering to agriculture, Virginia Tech provides students seeking an advanced degree the means to conveniently earn their graduate degree. Depending on their course of study, students are expected to either attend class synchronously or manage their own progress through asynchronous instruction. Synchronous courses are conducted with real-time, two-way communication between students and professors. These courses are usually scheduled in the late afternoon or early evening to accommodate the obligations of students who are working professionals. Asynchronous classes feature downloadable, prerecorded lectures, which students can watch anytime. All of Virginia Tech’s online offerings match the content and rigor of similar on-campus programs.

  Program Highlights:

  Master’s in Agricultural and Applied Economics

  • Credits: 30
  • Length: 24 months
  • Cost: $1,000/credit
  • Mode: Fully online
  • Accreditation: SACSCOC

  Master of Business Administration

  • Credits: 48
  • Length: 22 months
  • Cost: $1,100/credit
  • Mode: Fully online
  • Accreditation: AACSB

  Master of Information Technology

  • Credits: 33
  • Length: 2.5-5 years
  • Cost: $1,025/credit
  • Mode: Fully online
  • Accreditation: SACSCOC

  Online Programs

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  14/1

• 5

  George Mason University

  Fairfax, Virginia

  Public $$

  If you’re a commuter, working professional, or can’t dedicate time to attending on-campus classes, then an online degree from George Mason University might be right for you. Whether at home or abroad, you’ll be able to pursue your studies in an engaging online learning environment. Mason offers several undergraduate and graduate degree programs that can be completed online, either asynchronously or synchronously. You’ll have the same instructors and curriculum as on-campus students; the only difference is that courses are presented in a flexible online format. If blending on-campus and online learning is more your style, you can also choose from Mason’s hybrid courses. Whether entirely online or in a hybrid format, each class has weekly or biweekly deadlines for assignments and quizzes, so you’re free to complete coursework on your own time.

  Program Highlights:

  Bachelor of Arts in Business

  • Credits: 120
  • Length: 4 years
  • Cost: $577.25-$1,554.75/credit
  • Mode: Fully online
  • Accreditation: AACSB

  Master of Science in Biology

  • Credits: 30
  • Length: 2 years
  • Cost: $709.70-$1,624.25/credit
  • Mode: Fully online
  • Accreditation: SACSCOC

  Master of Arts in Economics

  • Credits: 30
  • Length: 2 years
  • Cost: $935/credit
  • Mode: Fully online
  • Accreditation: SACSCOC

  Online Programs

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  17/1

• 6

  James Madison University

  Harrisonburg, Virginia

  Public $$

  Online Programs

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  17/1

• 7

  Virginia Commonwealth University

  Richmond, Virginia

  Public $$$

  Online Programs

  29

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  18/1

• 8

  William & Mary

  Williamsburg, Virginia

  Public $$$$

  Online Programs

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  11/1

• 9

  Radford University

  Radford, Virginia

  Public $$

  Online Programs

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  14/1

• 10

  Regent University

  Virginia Beach, Virginia

  Private not-for-profit $$$$

  Online Programs

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  19/1

• 11

  Norfolk State University

  Norfolk, Virginia

  Public $$

  Online Programs

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  16/1

• 12

  Longwood University

  Farmville, Virginia

  Public $$

  Online Programs

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  15/1

• 13

  Virginia University of Lynchburg

  Lynchburg, Virginia

  Private not-for-profit $$

  Online Programs

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  14/1

• 14

  Virginia State University

  Petersburg, Virginia

  Public $$

  Online Programs

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  12/1

• 15

  Stratford University

  Alexandria, Virginia

  Private for-profit $$$

  Online Programs

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  9/1

• 16

  IGlobal University

  Vienna, Virginia

  Private for-profit $$$

  Online Programs

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  8/1

• 17

  ECPI University

  Virginia Beach, Virginia

  Private for-profit $$$$

  Online Programs

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  16/1

• 18

  Riverside College of Health Careers

  Newport News, Virginia

  Private not-for-profit $$$

  Online Programs

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  11/1

• 19

  American National University

  Salem, Virginia

  Private for-profit $$$

  Online Programs

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  39/1

2 Year Schools 4 Year Schools
or
Select a StateVirginia
About the Ranking
Base Methodology for OnlineColleges.me’s 2024 Online College Rankings
1. Create List of Eligible Schools and Programs
To be eligible for this ranking, schools were required to meet the following criteria based on government data provided by The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
• Institutional accreditation from an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
• At least one program in the subject area offered partially or fully online.
2. Assign Weightings
After creating the list of eligible schools, OnlineColleges.me data scientists assigned weights and ranked schools based on a mix of affordability, support services, and online program availability metrics. Online program availability and overall affordability metrics received the heaviest weightings.
Online Program Availability
• Number of online programs in subject area reported by school to the U.S. Department of Education. Because exact numbers change often and can be difficult to verify, we use a range-based scoring system: 0-5 online programs = 1 star; 6-10 = 2 stars; 11-15 = 3 stars; 16-20 = 4 stars; 21+ = 5 stars. In our design, laptop icons = stars.
• For degree-specific pages, ex: Psychology degrees, we list the current number of online programs available at that school for that degree type, as self-reported by the schools.
Affordability
• Cost – Relative cost of attendance compared to peer schools on the list. Based on tuition and fees per academic year.
• Students w/ Institutional Aid – Percentage of students who receive financial aid from the school itself.
Support Services
• Academic Counseling – Existence of this service on campus or online.
• Career Placement – Existence of this service on campus or online.
About Our Data
OnlineColleges.me’s rankings use the latest official data available from The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Most recent data pull: January of 2024
• 1

  Virginia Peninsula Community College

  Hampton, Virginia

  Public $

  Thomas Nelson Community College recently changed its name to Virginia Peninsula Community College (VPCC), but the school still offers 16 high-quality online degree programs. All online courses are delivered via the Canvas learning management system. Take an online readiness quiz to see if you’re a good fit for distance learning. Additional resources available to online students include academic advising, career services, online access to the bookstore, online counseling services, enrollment services, and the VPCC Care Team, which helps students overcome challenges including food insecurity, domestic violence, housing, mental and physical health, and safety.

  Program Highlights:

  AAS in Fire Science Technology

  • Credits: 60
  • Length: 4 semesters
  • Cost: $156-$333/credit
  • Mode: Fully online
  • Accreditation: SACSCOC

  AAS in Human Services

  • Credits: 66
  • Length: 5 semesters
  • Cost: $156-$333/credit
  • Mode: Fully online
  • Accreditation: SACSCOC

  A.S. in Health Science

  • Credits: 61-62
  • Length: 4 semesters
  • Cost: $156-$333/credit
  • Mode: Fully online
  • Accreditation: SACSCOC

  Online Programs

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  18/1

• 2

  Southside Virginia Community College

  Alberta, Virginia

  Public $

  Online learning at Southside Virginia Community College is offered in multiple formats to best support students and their individual schedules. Courses are asynchronous, synchronous, hybrid, or videocast via Zoom, which is where a traditional class will be broadcast through Zoom to students at other campuses or off-campus centers. All online courses are delivered through the Canvas learning management system. Due to a community college partnership, Southside students can also take online classes from other community colleges without needing to apply to the school or transfer the credit afterward. Students have online access to the campus bookstore, library, and Brainfuse tutoring services.

  Program Highlights:

  AAS in Business Management-Accounting

  • Credits: 67
  • Length: 2 years
  • Cost: $154-$236/credit
  • Mode: Hybrid
  • Accreditation: SACSCOC

  AAS in Administrative Support Technology

  • Credits: 63
  • Length: 2 years
  • Cost: $154-$236/credit
  • Mode: Hybrid
  • Accreditation: SACSCOC

  AA&S in General Studies-Agribusiness Specialization

  • Credits: 61
  • Length: 2 years
  • Cost: $154-$236/credit
  • Mode: Hybrid
  • Accreditation: SACSCOC

  Online Programs

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  21/1

• 3

  J Sargeant Reynolds Community College

  Richmond, Virginia

  Public $

  The Reynolds Online program from Reynolds Community College supports students in furthering their education despite the challenges they face and is designed to help such students by providing high-quality, flexible courses. Students who pursue their degree entirely online still have access to digital library research materials, academic tutoring, and online support staff. An online orientation is provided to help first-time students adjust to the online learning environment. Application to the school and registration for classes is the same for online students as it is for on-campus students.

  Program Highlights:

  AAS in Early Childhood Development

  • Credits: 65
  • Length: 2 years
  • Cost: $167-$367/credit
  • Mode: Fully online
  • Accreditation: SACSCOC

  AAS in Health Information Management

  • Credits: 64
  • Length: 2 years
  • Cost: $167-$367/credit
  • Mode: Fully online
  • Accreditation: SACSCOC

  AAS in Management-Small Business Management Specialization

  • Credits: 66
  • Length: 2 years
  • Cost: $167-$367/credit
  • Mode: Fully online
  • Accreditation: SACSCOC

  Online Programs

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  21/1

• 4

  Danville Community College

  Danville, Virginia

  Public $

  Danville Community College (DCC) offers three associate degrees that students can pursue entirely online, though many more online courses are available through DCC’s partnership with North Virginia Community College in the Shared Services Distance Learning program. This allows students to take classes online from participating colleges without having to enroll or transfer the credits afterward. All online courses are delivered through the Canvas learning management system. Students can access DCC’s electronic library resources and databases by using their college email and log-in information. Other resources include tutorials, guides, and research assistance. If students take a shared learning course from a different community college, they will also have access to that college’s online resources as well.

  Program Highlights:

  AAS in Administration of Justice – Law Enforcement Specialization

  • Credits: 68
  • Length: 2 years
  • Cost: $157-$236/credit
  • Mode: Fully online
  • Accreditation: SACSCOC

  AAS in Information Systems Technology-Gaming and Mobile Applications Specializations

  • Credits: 65
  • Length: 2 years
  • Cost: $157-$236/credit
  • Mode: Fully online
  • Accreditation: SACSCOC

  AA&S in Liberal Arts

  • Credits: 61
  • Length: 2 years
  • Cost: $157-$236/credit
  • Mode: Fully online
  • Accreditation: SACSCOC

  Online Programs

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  20/1

• 5

  Northern Virginia Community College

  Annandale, Virginia

  Public $$

  NOVA Online, previously known as the Extended Learning Institute (ELI), is Northern Virginia Community College’s (NVCC) distance learning program which has been offering distance learning programs for over 40 years. NVCC has received awards for its use of digital technology to enhance student, faculty, staff, and community services. Students can choose from over 300 online courses each semester in over 50 academic disciplines. Students studying online have access to 24/7 library support, free online tutoring, the hotline and IT help desk, and the counseling staff. Not only are there many study options and resources, online students also receive assistance if they want to transfer to a four-year university such as the University of Virginia, College of William and Mary, or George Mason University.

  Program Highlights:

  AA in Liberal Arts-International Studies Specialization

  • Credits: 60-63
  • Length: 4 semesters
  • Cost: $181-$360/credit
  • Mode: Fully online
  • Accreditation: SACSCOC

  AS in Social Science-Teacher Education Specialization

  • Credits: 60
  • Length: 4 semesters
  • Cost: $181-$360/credit
  • Mode: Fully online
  • Accreditation: SACSCOC

  AS in Computer Science

  • Credits: 60-62
  • Length: 4 semesters
  • Cost: $181-$360/credit
  • Mode: Fully online
  • Accreditation: SACSCOC

  Online Programs

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  28/1

• 6

  New River Community College

  Dublin, Virginia

  Public $

  New River Community College (NRCC) uses online learning to increase educational access by bringing education to people instead of requiring people to find a way to get to education. NRCC uses the Canvas learning management system to deliver its online courses to students in its NRCC Online distance learning program. Students choose from single courses to certificates to entire online degrees. The college has many resources for students to help them in their pursuit of online education, including online learning FAQs, Canvas tutorials, and a guide that directs students where to buy textbooks, informs them about the withdrawal policy, lists online resources such as the library, and discusses proctored testing. If a course requires any Microsoft Office applications, students can download the entire suite for free using their NRCC credentials.

  Program Highlights:

  AA&S in Business Administration

  • Credits: 60-61
  • Length: 4 semesters
  • Cost: $154/credit
  • Mode: Fully online
  • Accreditation: SACSCOC

  AA&S in Education

  • Credits: 60-61
  • Length: 4 semesters
  • Cost: $154/credit
  • Mode: Fully online
  • Accreditation: SACSCOC

  AAS in Administrative Support Technology-Medical Administrative Support Specialization

  • Credits: 66
  • Length: 4 semesters
  • Cost: $154/credit
  • Mode: Fully online
  • Accreditation: SACSCOC

  Online Programs

  Academic Counseling

  Yes

  Career Placement

  Yes

  Student/Faculty Ratio

  30/1

Understanding Online Learning Formats in Virginia

The days of getting up early for in-person classes are over for some, and it’s making education more accessible to more people than ever before. Now you can study from home, in your free time and with the technology that helps you learn and is matched to your own personal strengths. Do you want to mix online lectures with a few in-person labs? Are you more likely to excel when you can watch all courses late at night or while your children are in school? To understand which options suit you, consider this list of the best online colleges in Virginia. 

Fully Online vs. Hybrid/Blended

Depending on the online degree program you choose, hands-on learning may be the only way to get the experience needed to complete your coursework. That’s why hybrid and blended learning modules work well for degree programs in which some work can be done online but in-person assessments or labs are vital, too.

With hybrid programs, some courses are exclusively taught online and others are taught in person to round out the curriculum. Blended learning combines online and in-person elements within the same course to give students more choices and the flexibility to interact the way they learn best.

The best online colleges in Virginia may offer exclusively online or hybrid/blended courses and should communicate this in their program materials. These two examples showcase programs that meet learners where they are, whether it’s in the home or in the classroom. 

Asynchronous vs. Synchronous

If you have difficulty getting online at the same time every day, or you don’t always have dependable internet, an asynchronous learning module may be for you. Many online colleges in Virginia offer this option to learn on your own time and set your own schedule.

If you prefer to interact in real time, synchronous (live) courses are worth looking at. With schedules similar to in-person courses, synchronous courses happen live at scheduled times and feel more like in-person learning.

The best online colleges in Virginia offer both options; these featured programs provide a way to think through the format that’s right for you. 

Part-Time vs. Full-Time

Whether you can dedicate five hours a week to your education or 50, there’s an option for you with one of the best online colleges in Virginia. Remember, 12 to 15 credit hours total a full-time course load, meaning full-time students usually take three to five courses each semester.

If you don’t have that kind of time, a part-time course load of just one or two classes will be just fine. Most online programs are made with the part-timer in mind. Be sure to factor in summer semesters if you want to complete your degree earlier. Take a look at these programs as a way to think through the best option for your lifestyle and commitments.

Importance of Accreditation for Online Colleges in Virginia

Affordability and flexibility are just two things to look for when choosing a school. Whether the school is accredited or not is a major consideration as well. This guide to accreditation can help you determine if a school meets the requirements and is recognized by the right organizations. The top online colleges and degree programs in Virginia should be recognized by state and regional bodies.

If you pursue a degree in a highly regulated field, such as nursing, engineering, or teaching, you’ll need to get additional certification that will be recognized by future employers and professional associations in the state (such as passing the NCLEX to become an RN or the Praxis to get a teaching certificate). If your school isn’t properly accredited, you may not qualify for certification and you might not be able to apply for financial aid benefits. This list of accredited online colleges in Virginia (along with traditional schools, too) includes schools recognized by the state of Virginia; keep in mind, though, that individual programs must also meet additional guidelines for their fields. 

The Cost of College Online in Virginia

What does it cost to get a degree these days? The answer is that it very much depends on the school and program you choose. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, college students attending 4-year public schools in Virginia pay an average of $13,931 in tuition and fees while private school students pay around $23,220. Community college students save the most, with a cost of around $5,228. There’s no one-size-fits-all schedule or program, so there won’t be a one-size-fits-all cost, either. Whether you can afford the best online colleges in Virginia may depend on how many courses you expect to take in a semester or your living arrangements and household expenses.

While not all online colleges in Virginia charge the same way, online degrees offer an affordable alternative for students who don’t want to live on-campus or attend in-person courses for their entire program. Since some states charge out-of-state students more, you’ll want to make sure you qualify as a Virginia resident if you’re planning to take advantage of generous in-state tuition rates. 

The following cost breakdown assumes you are taking around 15 credit hours per semester. If you will need longer to finish your degree, adjust the numbers for these online vs. traditional colleges in Virginia. 

Financial Aid for Online College Students in Virginia

Like other states, Virginia has a vast toolkit of resources for students who don’t want to pay full price for college, including the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia website. State scholarships available to Virginia students include the Granville Meade Scholarship and the Virginia Commonwealth Award.

However, financial aid should always start with filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (typically called the FAFSA), which will determine how much you could possibly cover of your own expenses. From there, you could be eligible for subsidized and unsubsidized loans as well as free money, such as the Pell Grant.

The best resource for finding help is the online college in Virginia that you plan on attending. At the application stage, seek out each school’s financial aid webpage, and look for scholarship opportunities that fit your program of study, lifestyle, or special talents. Virginia schools should feature state or even local scholarships for students to help defray the cost of attendance. 

Be sure to check out the more general college scholarship resources available to everyone nationwide, as they can provide additional funding to help fill in the gaps. 

High-Demand College-Level Careers in Virginia

Virginia students looking for job inspiration may find these fast-growing careers a good place to start. These fields have the highest demand over the next ten years in the state. Compare the annual mean wages in the chart below to see which fit your financial goals, then identify programs at the best online colleges in Virginia that are a match for that career. 

Further Resources for Virginia Students

The decision to enter a Virginia online degree program is a big one, but plenty of resources are out there to help you do your best. Whether you choose fully online courses or a mix of in-person and online, the following tools offer tips and tricks for making your educational goals happen.