# 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. 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, established private institutions in good standing with a nationally recognized accrediting organization, private and out-of-state institutions requiring certification and institutions exempt from state oversight for religious reasons. 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) | Control | Carnegie Classification | Accreditation | Founded | Enrollment |
| American National University | Multiple | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | Quantico | Public (United States Marine Corps) | Special focus | SACS | 1989 | 269 |
| 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 | 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 |
| 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) | Control | Type | Accreditation | Founded | Enrollment |
| ACT College | Arlington | Private (not for profit) | Uncategorized | ABHES | 1983 | 401 |
| Advanced Institute of Technology | Virginia Beach | Private (for profit) | Uncategorized | ACCSC | 1992 | 1040 |
| American Digital University | Sterling | Private (for profit) | Uncategorized | none | Unknown | Unknown |
| American Public University System | Manassas | 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 | Multiple | Private (for profit) | Associate's college | ACCSC | 1969 | 509 |
| Bethel College | Hampton | Private (not for profit) | Uncategorized | none | 1887 | 76 |
| Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing | Richmond | Private (not for profit) | Uncategorized | ACICS | 1961 | 300 |
| Boston University Metropolitan College | Arlington | Private (Methodist) | Research university | NEASC | 1965 | Unknown |
| Bryant & Stratton College | Multiple | 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 | Public | Research university | HLC | 1892 | 21,705 |
| Central Texas College | Fort Gregg-Adams | Public | Associate's college | SACS | 1965 | 16,073 |
| Centura College | Multiple | Private (for profit) | Career College | ACCSC | 1983 | 1927 |
| Chamberlain College of Nursing | Arlington | Private (for profit) | Special focus | HLC | 1889 | Unknown |
| Columbia College | Fairfax | Private (for profit) | Associate's college | COE | 1999 | 310 |
| DeVry University | Multiple | 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 | Multiple | Private (for profit) | Associate's college | ACICS | 2007 | 2,251 |
| Florida Institute of Technology | Multiple | Private (not for profit) | Uncategorized | SACS | 1958 | 6,291 |
| Fortis College | Multiple | 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 | Alexandria | Private (for profit) | Associate's college | none | 2004 | 276 |
| HyperLearning Technologies, Inc. | Virginia Beach | Private (for profit) | Uncategorized | none | 1995 | Unknown |
| International College of Washington | 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 | 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 | Arlington | Private (not for profit) | Uncategorized | NEASC | 1909 | Unknown |
| National Massage Therapy Institute | Falls Church | Private | Uncategorized | ABHES | 1998 | Unknown |
| Nova Southeastern University | Roanoke | Private | Research university | SACS | 1964 | 20,435 |
| Patrick Henry College | 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 | Private (Catholic) | Masters University | SACS | 1889 | 5,232 |
| Saint Michael College of Allied Health | Alexandria | Private (for profit) | Uncategorized | none | 1971 | 193 |
| Sanford-Brown College | Vienna | Private (for profit) | Baccalaureate college | ACICS | 1920 | 744 |
| Skyline College | Roanoke | Private (for profit) | Associate's college | ACCSC | 1969 | 355 |
| South Baylo University | Annandale | Private (not for profit) | Uncategorized | none | 1977 | 410 |
| South University | Multiple | 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 | Petersburg | Private (for profit) | Uncategorized | JRCERT | 1895 | 131 |
| Strayer University | Multiple | 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 | Vienna | Private (for profit) | Uncategorized | ACICS | 2008 | 310 |
| University of Phoenix | Multiple | Private | Special focus | HLC | Unknown | 1172 |
| University of Valley Forge | Woodbridge | Private (Assemblies) | Baccalaureate college | MSCHE | Unknown | Unknown |
| Virginia College | Richmond | Private (for profit) | Uncategorized | ACICS | 1983 | Unknown |
| Virginia School of Massage | Charlottesville | Private (not for profit) | Uncategorized | ACCSC | 1995 | Unknown |
| Virginia School of Nursing & Medical Institute | 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 | Fairfax | Private (not for profit) | Uncategorized | none | 2004 | Unknown |
| Washington Baptist University | Annandale | Private (Baptist) | Uncategorized | none | Unknown | Unknown |
| Washington University of Science and Technology, 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 | Multiple | 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) | Control | Type | Accreditation | Founded | Enrollment |
| 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 | Unknown |
| 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) | Founded | Closed |
| American College of Commerce and Technology | 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 | Multiple | 1997 | |
| Saint Paul's College | Lawrenceville | 1888 | 2013 |
| Southeast Culinary & Hospitality College | Bristol | unknown | |
| 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 |