Best Colleges in Virginia

Known as “Old Dominion” and “Mother of Presidents,” the Commonwealth of Virginia was one of the original thirteen colonies. This New England state experience cool winters and warm summers, but the Atlantic Ocean causes extreme climate variations. Colleges in Virginia are categorized by the State Council of Higher Education in Virginia, who keep a list of public and private institutions that are accredited and in good standing. The largest college in the state is Liberty University, which also ranks most selective along with Washington & Lee University. Livestock and livestock products are Virginia’s primary agriculture industry. Old Dominion is also supported by food and beverage manufacturing, mining, and fishing. Shenandoah National Park, Arlington National Cemetery, and Busch Gardens are top attractions in Virginia.

How Were the Top Schools in Virginia Chosen?

Appily determines “Best Colleges” based on publicly-available information from the US Department of Education. Several factors include, but are not limited to, data about admitted students’ academic calibers, students’ expected career outcomes after graduation, and colleges’ investments toward making their institution accessible to all students.

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With campus a short drive from Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, Eastern Shore Community College is a 2-year college serving two counties in eastern Virginia. ESCC offers 13 degrees and 13 certificate-granting programs. In addition to course...

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Lord Fairfax Community College is a 2-year institution with two campuses and two extension sites in northern Virginia. Serving eight localities, LFCC offers 75 degree and certificate programs including Nature and Outdoor Photography and Cybersecurity...

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Established in 1962, Dabney S Lancaster Community College is a public, 2-year institution with campuses located in Clifton Forge and Buena Vista, Virginia. DSLCC offers 15 associate’s degree programs and nearly 40 certificate programs, preparing...

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Patrick Henry Community College is a 2-year institution with a main campus and four extension sites in southwest Virginia. PHCC is home to six academic departments granting degrees and certificates in subjects ranging from Legal Assisting to Media...

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PHCC has great faculty staff who are always gladly to answer any questions.The campus is very organized and neat. Patrick Henry Community College is a nice college to go to.

” – Blanca from Axton, VA
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Piedmont Virginia Community College is a 2-year institution serving Charlottesville and six surrounding counties. PVCC is home to 12 academic departments conferring degrees and certificates in programs such as Web Technologies and Retail Management...

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Rappahannock Community College is a 2-year college with two campuses and three extension sites in eastern Virginia’s Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck regions. RCC is home to nine academic departments granting degrees and certificates as well as an...

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Southside Virginia Community College is a 2-year institution with two campuses covering the largest service area in the state. SVCC confers degrees and certificates in 78 fields of study. To provide support for its African American student population...

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Established in 1967, Southwest Virginia Community College is a public, 2-year institution located outside of Richlands, on Route 19 South. Southwest offers over 80 associate’s degree, diploma, and certificate programs throughout its seven paths of...

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Established in 1967, Virginia Highlands Community College is a public, 2-year institution located on a rural campus in Abingdon. With more than 70 academic fields of study available, VHCC offers associate’s degrees and certificates in both career and...

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Every class I have taken while here (4 semesters) has been enjoyable, and you can tell that (the majority) of the staff there loves their job. Everyone is extremely friendly and helpful.

” – Mugz from Abingdon, VA
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Thomas Nelson Community College is a public, 2-year institution with campus locations in Hampton and Williamsburg, Virginia. TNCC offers over 100 academic and career-oriented programs, awarding associate’s degrees and certificates for college...

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Virginia Western Community College is a 2-year institution serving four counties from its campus in Roanoke. VWCC is home to 11 academic departments offering degree and certificate-granting programs as well as a Personal Enrichment and Community...

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I'm currently in the Communication Design program at Virginia Western, and I've learned more than I thought I would have, especially in my classes for Comm. Design program. The program head is Steve Huff and he only hires teachers who are out there...

” – Chelsea from Roanoke, VA
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Wytheville Community College is a 2-year institution with three campuses in western Virginia. WCC confers degrees and certificates in 55 fields of study and 15 of these programs are available entirely online. To facilitate a more inclusive campus...

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i am taking classes through wytheville community college at my high school currently. i am satisfied with the opportunity to begin college while still attending high school.

” – levi from Cana, VA
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The Appalachian College of Pharmacy is an institution in western Virginia specializing in training pharmacists. The college’s Doctor of Pharmacy curriculum stands out as being the only 3-year such program in the commonwealth of Virginia. ACP also...

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Founded in 1997, Appalachian School of Law is a law school in southwest Virginia dedicated to training students from its home region and beyond. ASL is home to a 3-year Juris Doctor degree-granting program. In addition to classroom work, all students...

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Established in 1971, Bon Secours St Mary's Hospital School of Medical Imaging is a private, medical education institution located in Richmond, Virginia. The college offers a residential Radiologic Technology program, which lasts 18 months and...

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Divine Mercy University is a Catholic psychology graduate school in northern Virginia and an institution recognized by Pope Benedict XVI and Pope John Paul II. DMU is home to two schools focusing on Counseling and Psychological Sciences offering two...

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Originally founded to address a need for rural physicians, the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine is a 4-year osteopathic medical school with three campuses in Virginia, South Carolina, and Alabama. VCOM’s Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine...

Patrick Henry College

Patrick Henry College is a Christian institution located in Purcellville, VA. The 119 acre campus is located an hour west of Washington D.C., just east of the Blue Ridge Mountains. PHC’s mission is to prepare Christian men and women who will lead our...

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Founded by the Presbyterian Church, Union Presbyterian Seminary is a Christian graduate school with campuses in Richmond and Charlotte providing an educational foundation for ministry. Union offers master’s degrees in Divinity, Christian Education...

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Virginia Beach Theological Seminary is a Christian graduate school in coastal Virginia dedicated to training students for local church ministry and mission work. VBTS offers master’s degrees in Biblical Studies, Divinity, Theology, and Chaplaincy as...