Most Affordable Online Bachelor's Degrees in Virginia 2025

Virginia is home to a rich tradition of college and universities, many of which offer affordable bachelor's degrees online. Pursuing a degree online is a great option for busy adult students who want to further their education, while balancing work and family. Read on to learn more about some of the best online colleges offering reputable, affordable online education.

How Much Does an Online Bachelor's Degree Cost in Virginia?

On average, online learning undergrads pay $390 per credit hour in Virginia. For those on a four-year track earning 120 credits, the cost of an online bachelor's degree averages $46,800.

However, the final cost of an online bachelor's degree depends on a number of factors, like full-time or part-time status, whether the school is private, public, or a community college, transfer credits, and financial aid. You can reduce costs by selecting a cheap online college that accepts FAFSA, which will typically offer various forms of financial aid to offset costs.

Here, we outline the general costs, including in-state and out-of-state pricing. To ensure you're getting the cheapest online bachelor's degree tuition possible, it's important to take advantage of the different financial aid packages each school offers.

Cheapest Online Bachelor's Degree Programs in Virginia

The following schools offer affordable online bachelor's degree programs that are both flexible and accredited.

1. Liberty University

Liberty University (LU) has well-established online degree programs in addition to its on-campus education. Bachelor's degree options range from engineering and computer science to history to criminal justice. Undergrads can transfer up to 75% of their credits from other schools to apply to their BA from Liberty University.

Average in-state tuition: $390 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $390 per credit

Financial aid: Liberty University accepts FAFSA and offers scholarships and military discounts.

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

2. University of Virginia

Established in 1819, the University of Virginia (UVA) is a public school with a wide selection of online programs at affordable rates. Transfer students can bring up to 60 credits earned elsewhere. UVA online education students enjoy flexible course loads, small class sizes, and supportive faculty advisors.

Average in-state tuition: $499 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $499 per credit

Financial aid: Accepts FAFSA, offers scholarships, and has military discounts. UVA is also an online college with monthly payment plans.

Accreditation: SACSCOC

3. Old Dominion University

Old Dominion University (ODU) has dozens of degree options, from business administration to cybersecurity. Students can transfer up to 60 credit hours to apply to their degree, helping to offset costs. Note that while tuition rates are slightly higher for out-of-state students, overall costs are still affordable.

Average in-state tuition: $408 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $439 per credit

Financial aid: Accepts FAFSA and offers students scholarships, loans, and/or military discounts.

Accreditation: SACSCOC

4. Virginia State University

While Petersburg is home to in-person students at the Virginia State University (VSU) campus, this historic school offers quality distance learning to students all over the country. VSU offers both bachelor's and master's degree programs online.

Average in-state tuition: $405 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $416 per credit

Financial aid: Accepts FAFSA and is one of many online colleges with scholarships, such as the Founder's Scholarship, available to eligible incoming transfer students.

Accreditation: SACSCOC

5. Virginia University of Lynchburg

The Virginia University of Lynchburg (VUL) is a private college with a history extending back to 1889. While the school began with a focus on Christian studies and divinity, it has since expanded its educational programming and distance learning opportunities. Online courses for undergrads include bachelor's degrees in business administration and organizational management.

Average in-state tuition: $382 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $382 per credit

Financial aid: Accepts FAFSA for federal and state grants, provides scholarships, and offers student loans.

Accreditation: Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS)

6. Mary Baldwin University

Mary Baldwin University (MBU) is a private, nonprofit college with a broad range of online programs. Affordable bachelor's degrees include psychology, healthcare administration, and criminal justice.

Average in-state tuition: $460 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $460 per credit

Financial aid: Accepts FAFSA for federal and state grants, and offers scholarships.

Accreditation: SACSCOC

7. Hampton University

At Hampton University (HU), students can pursue all levels of higher education online, from certificate programs to doctoral degrees. Online learning options include paralegal studies, business management, and criminal justice.

Average in-state tuition: $300 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $300 per credit

Financial aid: Accepts FAFSA and provides needs-based grants, scholarships, and loans.

Accreditation: SACSCOC

8. Averett University

Averett University has been providing affordable online education to students for more than 30 years. To accommodate working adults who need schedule flexibility, the school offers a range of enrollment start times throughout the year. Averett University is one of many online colleges that accept transfer credits.

Average in-state tuition: $480 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $480 per credit

Financial aid: Accepts FAFSA and provides scholarships and military discounts.

Accreditation: SACSCOC

9. Radford University

Radford University is a public, nonprofit college with online programs ranging from specialty certifications to master's degrees. Bachelor's programs are offered both in-person and 100% online. For out-of-state students looking to keep costs low, their scholarships for online students are a great resource.

Average in-state tuition: $280 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $730 per credit

Financial aid: Accepts FAFSA and offers scholarships, loans, and payment plans.

Accreditation: SACSCOC

10. Regent University

Regent University is a private college with an extensive online education network, offering a wide variety of online programs for bachelor's degrees, from criminal justice to health sciences. Regent University also has a generous transfer credit policy, allowing distance learning students to apply up to 90 credits from elsewhere toward their degree.

Average in-state tuition: $395 per credit

Average out-of-state tuition: $395 per credit

Financial aid: Accepts FAFSA, provides scholarships, and offers payment plans. Over 80% of Regent University students receive financial aid to help offset costs.

Accreditation: SACSCOC

How We Rank Schools

We use a number of methodology factors to rank the online schools listed above, including the following criteria:

• Accreditation: Each school on our list has been evaluated by an established, independent agency.
• Affordability: Degrees cost approximately $500 or less per credit hour.
• Program reputation and quality: Each school has been vetted through the US Department of Education College Scorecard and the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
• Online format: While some of these schools offer hybrid coursework programs for interested students, each offers at least three bachelor's degree programs that are 100% online.

FAQs About the Cheapest Bachelor's Degrees in Virginia

Learning about online college degrees can be overwhelming. Read on for answers to frequently asked questions about pursuing an online education from a Virginia college or university.

What Is the Cheapest Online Bachelor's Degree in Virginia?

Many factors affect the final cost: each student's program choice, transfer credit history, and unique background are among the most influential factors. That being said, Radford University and Hampton University generally rank among the lowest tuition rates, before factoring in financial aid or scholarship opportunities.

What Is the Most Affordable Way To Get a Bachelor's Degree?

One of the cheapest ways to keep tuition costs low is to apply for grants and scholarships. For example, online colleges that accept the Pell Grant can offer tuition at a dramatically reduced rate.

Is Online College Worth It?

Distance education has grown exponentially in recent years, with a multitude of degree options from respected institutions. Taking online courses allows a person to pursue higher education while balancing the needs of work and family.

What Other Fees Should I Expect for an Online Bachelor's Degree?

While fees vary at each school, and certain bachelor's degree programs have special fees associated with coursework, undergraduate students can expect additional costs associated with technology, registration, and processing.

Explore Online Bachelor's Degrees

Virginia continues its long tradition of higher education by offering many online courses for bachelor's degrees from a diverse range of colleges and universities. No matter what state you call home, there is a bachelor's degree program for your unique needs and lifestyle. Find out which of these affordable online bachelor's degree programs is right for you by contacting the schools featured on Learn.org.