Online Colleges in Virginia

Thomas Jefferson founded the University of Virginia in 1819. Today, this public school in Charlottesville educates more than 20,000 learners, nearly 90% of whom graduated in the top 10% of their high school classes. The institution boasted a four-year graduation rate of 89% in 2013; U.S. News and World Report ranked the school as the third-best public national university in 2019.

Candidates interested in online college courses in Virginia can earn a bachelor's in health sciences management or a bachelor's in interdisciplinary studies with concentrations in information technology, cybersecurity, and business. The university delivers one online master's in public safety, though this degree includes on-campus components.

Online learners can earn undergraduate certificates in accounting, federal acquisition, and human resources management credentials; they can earn graduate certificates in fields including digital marketing, leadership, and public administration. Students may also pursue a non-credit certificate in public relations.

The university delivers online coursework synchronously and asynchronously, using tools such as video conferences, blogs, forums, and instant messaging to connect faculty and students.

The school offers military discounts and resident tuition for some out-of-state learners. For instance, out-of-state students in K-12 educators programs currently pay more than double per credit than in-state learners, whereas bachelor of interdisciplinary studies candidates pay equal tuition, regardless of location.

The institution considers international study and intercultural engagement high priorities, and more than 3,000 learners study abroad. University students and alumni benefit from career assistance, such as resume reviews, industry guidance, and job connections. The University of Virginia boasts accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Based in Fairfax, Virginia, George Mason University is a public research school near Washington, D.C.; it educates over 30,000 learners from 130 countries and is part of the Online Virginia Network.

Mason offers learners more than 50 online and hybrid programs. These opportunities include nine online undergraduate degrees in fields like computer game design, psychology, nursing, and information technology. Graduate students can pursue online degrees in disciplines including accounting, education leadership, health informatics, and business administration. Learners can also obtain hybrid master's degrees or graduate certificates in fields like geospatial intelligence, literacy, and telecommunications. Departments deliver online courses synchronously and asynchronously. Some programs may include on-campus components.

Online learners can access online journals and eBooks through the school's library and may consult a librarian through instant messaging, email, and phone calls. The library provides tutorials to assist candidates with research and delivers materials to students through a document delivery service.

The school's online writing lab allows students to email papers for tutor review, and the Career Services department assists candidates with practice interviews and job postings. Virtual learners can also seek health advice online or visit campus for free healthcare.

Tuition charges for out-of-state learners are higher than in-state costs. Learners attending this Virginia college online from other states may want to pursue additional financial aid to cover expenses. Mason holds accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Liberty University includes 17 schools and colleges with curricula grounded in Christian beliefs. Founded in 1971 and located in Lynchburg, Virginia, the school boasts more than 100,000 students from all U.S. states and over 80 countries. However, student-to-faculty ratios remain low, so degree seekers can gain a quality education in a comfortable setting. For online learners, this ratio is 17:1.

Undergraduate programs include degrees and certificates in fields such as criminal justice, aviation, and international business. Graduate opportunities include degrees and certificates in applied communication studies, public health, and graphic design. Postgraduate students can explore disciplines like strategic leadership, nursing practice, and education. Candidates can also pursue the Wilmington School of the Bible diploma, and high school students can participate in dual enrollment to earn college credit.

The school delivers most online coursework asynchronously, though certain programs may require synchronous participation. Candidates new to online learning can view the university's tutorial on using Blackboard. Online learners can also submit tuition payments, view their accounts, and access grades through the school's ASIST tool.

The university participates in the guaranteed admission agreement with the Virginia Community College System. This agreement states that Liberty accepts students from specific college programs and applies all transferable coursework, provided graduates earn a 2.0 GPA. Candidates can also obtain transfer credits through college credit exams, professional experience, military training, and certain certificate programs.

Out-of-state learners do not pay higher tuition than in-state candidates, making Liberty a strong choice for distance learners seeking the cheapest online colleges in Virginia. Liberty holds accreditation from The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia educates nearly 25,000 students from more than 130 countries. With 30 years of experience in distance learning, the institution boasts more than 14,000 graduates of distance learning programs and a 97% student satisfaction rate.

ODU offers online bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees -- along with minors and certificates -- in fields that include accounting, cyber systems security, dental hygiene, online teaching, professional writing, and sports management. Candidates complete these Virginia college online programs through synchronous web conferences or asynchronous methods, depending on the course, and may enroll in accelerated classes to hasten graduation time. Applicants can take an online quiz to determine if distance learning fits their needs.

The university offers transfer students numerous benefits. For instance, ODU holds guaranteed admission agreements with schools in the Virginia Community College System, certain Washington state colleges, and Arizona's Yavapai College. This means students earn admission into ODU after obtaining an associate degree from a participating school. In some cases, transfer credits may fulfill all lower-level requirements for general education.

ODU also evaluates unofficial transcripts at no charge so learners can see how prior education impacts program needs. Degree seekers can also use Monarch TRANSFERmation to research equivalent courses for previous classes. Military training and experience may count as credit toward an ODU degree. Out-of-state learners pay only slightly higher tuition than in-state students.

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accredits ODU. Agencies such as the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, the National Association of Schools of Music, and the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business - International offer specialized program accreditation.

Founded in 1859, Averett University in Danville, Virginia educates around 1,900 students from 14 countries and 23 states. This private Baptist university ranks as the 13th best regional liberal arts college in the South according to U.S. News and World Report. Class sizes are small, with just 12 students on average, providing a quality, interactive education. The school also delivers accelerated courses to speed up graduation.

Candidates considering Virginia colleges for online programs can obtain a master's in accountancy, business administration, education, applied data analytics, or criminal justice through this institution. Undergraduate learners can pursue an associate degree in business administration or bachelor's degrees in applied science, business administration, and sociology and criminal justice. Another distance learning option is the individually designed education for adult learners (IDEAL) program, where candidates can create a program of independent study.

Online learners take primarily asynchronous classes, with presentations and papers as major assignments. Other courses may involve synchronous elements, such as video conferences. Online learners also enjoy access to library resources, like journals and periodicals, and online tutoring through Smarthinking. Virtual learners can also explore the school's blog for program and career insights.

The school boasts partnerships with organizations like Keystone Academic Solutions, Central Virginia Community College, and the Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Training Academy. These partnerships allow the companies' employees to attend for discounted tuition rates.

Averett holds accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The university also boasts membership with organizations such as the American Council on Education, the Virginia Humanities Conference, the Association of Virginia Colleges, the Council of Independent Colleges, and the Consortium for the Advancement of Adult Higher Education.

Hampton University in Virginia, originally called the Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute, is a historically black university focused on research and community improvement. Enrollment in the fall of 2017 was over 4,000; more than 25% of those students enrolled in liberal arts and education programs.

Opportunities from this accredited online college in Virginia include degrees and certificates. Learners can obtain certificates in paralegal studies, human resource management, and entrepreneurship -- or pursue associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in fields such as aviation management, nursing, counseling, business administration, and educational management. To determine how well online learning fits their needs, candidates can take an online course that previews programs and Blackboard technology.

Online undergraduate students may take six credits per eight-week session or nine credits per 16-week session. Candidates must obtain special permission to surpass these numbers. This allows students to complete degrees in four years. However, graduate programs vary, and applicants should check program timeframes.

Students can accelerate graduation through credit evaluation, but the school charges a fee for an official assessment. Candidates can receive credits for prior classes, military experience, exams, and professional training or experience.

The school offers support services for online learners, including library access and career assistance. In particular, the Career Center provides workshops and seminars on topics such as professional clothing, resumes, interview skills, and financial management -- along with job fairs that introduce students to possible employers. All online learners pay the same tuition rate.

Hampton University holds accreditation from The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Other agencies, including the International Assembly of Collegiate Business Education, the National Architecture Accrediting Board, the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education, and the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, approve the school's programs.

Candidates interested in accredited online colleges in Virginia should consider Richmond's Virginia Commonwealth University. Founded in 1838 as the Medical College of Hampden-Sydney, this public school boasts over 30,000 students and nearly 200,000 alumni. The university focuses on research and was the first southern social work school.

VCU offers online courses through nine colleges, including the School of Medicine, the College of Engineering, and the School of Education. Through these colleges, online candidates pursue certificate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs in disciplines such as educational leadership, business administration, addiction studies, gerontology, and homeland security.

Departments deliver these programs with different levels of flexibility. For instance, students can earn the master of science in mechanical and nuclear engineering completely online, while bachelor's students in the clinical laboratory science distance education program use video conferencing. A master's in health administration requires online and on-campus coursework with asynchronous participation, while a doctorate in nursing practice requires more synchronous elements. Individual courses may include both online and in-class components.

Online candidates can access library materials through document delivery services and Interlibrary Loan. The library also offers the HathiTrust accessibility program where students can browse materials and email the library for delivered copies.

The school's Writing Centerprovides online consultations; learners email their assignments to the center and participate in video conferences with tutors, often through Skype. Virtual students can also use software and digital tools from the school's Technology Services section, including Filezilla, ImageNow, and QuestionPro; they can also download VCU Insider onto their phones to browse current events, resources, and campus information. VCU aids in locating jobs, graduate schools, and internships through the Career Services department. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accredits this school.

Regent University in Virginia Beach delivers 132 programs through coursework grounded in its Christian faith. The school, founded in 1978, ranks on several U.S. News and World Report lists, including the top national universities, the best online bachelor's programs in Virginia, and the best online graduate education programs in Virginia. In 2017-2018 alone, the university conferred nearly 2,000 degrees.

Online learners can pursue degrees from the College of Arts and Sciences or any of Regent's graduate schools. Fields to explore include film-television, criminal justice, cybersecurity, healthcare leadership, and school counseling. Regent delivers coursework through asynchronous means, such as discussion boards, projects, quizzes, and exams, but may also include chats and synchronous lectures. Class sizes average 18 students and classrooms use Blackboard technology. Each class lasts eight or 15 weeks.

Candidates can test drive a course to determine if online learning fits their needs and explore the school's list of tips for online education. Virtual students can also access the library's resources and attend online admissions events. The Office of Career and Talent Management offers career assessments and guidance to help students determine the right career.

Regent participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program, which includes tuition assistance for military personnel. Other learners can also obtain financial assistance. In 2017-2018, 88% of students qualified for financial aid.

This university holds accreditation from The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, with additional accreditations from agencies such as the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, and the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs.

Averett University began in 1859 and holds affiliation with the Baptist General Association of Virginia. The institution ranked sixth on the U.S. News and World Report's list of the best regional colleges in the South for veterans and fourth on the best value among Southern regional colleges. The school boasts approximately 25,000 alumni from 50 countries.

Beyond the school's nontraditional programs, candidates can pursue traditional undergraduate and graduate degrees in fields such as criminal justice, education, and nursing. Students use Moodle to attend classes online, though some graduate programs may require face-to-face components. The university works with local employers to develop curricula to ensure their degrees prepare students for the workplace.

The school also allows candidates to earn traditional degrees through IDEAL programs. These programs use prior experience, such as coursework and military training, for credit, and students work with an adviser to determine which classes to take. The department requires at least 120 credits for IDEAL bachelor's degrees, 30 of which must come from Averett.

Averett accepts a maximum of 60 transfer credits from undergraduates. However, these transfer learners must complete 30 credits at the school with at least 12 credits in a student's major. Graduate learners may transfer as many as six credits. The school offers a free credit evaluation to determine how courses will transfer.

Out-of-state learners attending this Virginia college online do not pay higher tuition based on location, but some programs charge higher tuition. The IDEAL program, however, charges the lowest per-credit tuition for graduate and professional studies. Military learners qualify for tuition benefits, such as a 25% discount for graduate tuition. The schools holds accreditation from The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Grounded in the Baptist faith, Virginia's Bluefield College ranked among the top tier colleges in the South by U.S. News and World Report. The institution opened in 1922 with the support of its first president, Dr. R.A. Lansdell. More than half of its faculty hold a doctoral degree.

Students can pursue online undergraduate degrees in organizational leadership, cybersecurity, human services, business administration, nursing, criminal justice, early childhood education, and ministry leadership. Graduate learners can explore online master's degrees in business administration, education, and nursing -- and also pursue a teacher of chemistry certificate.

Departments deliver eight-week courses through classes with an 11-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio. This means degree seekers can complete programs at an accelerated pace with the personal feel of a small class.

The school provides information sessions so candidates can evaluate the benefits of virtual learning. Online students can access library information through databases, eBooks, and online journals. Learners also benefit from virtual tutoring and academic guidance through Smarthinking and Grammarly.

Bluefield College holds articulation agreements with 12 schools and programs, including the Appalachian School of Law, the Danville Community College Administration of Justice Program, Southwest Virginia Community College, and Mahidol University. These agreements ease the transfer process. For instance, learners from the Virginia Community College System receive admission into Bluefield College per the agreement, provided they hold a 2.5 GPA and complete an accepted program.

Learners can participate in the school's study abroad programs, including summer experiences in China, London, and Brazil.

This university holds accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and boasts membership in the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. The school also holds specialized accreditation through the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.