Virginia Colleges & Career Resources
Learn about Virginia colleges and career resources, including universities, community colleges, online degrees, and major statewide career pathways.
If you're exploring college options in Virginia, you’ll find pathways that fit many different goals and situations. Students study in busy metro areas like Northern Virginia, Richmond, and Hampton Roads, as well as rural parts of the state. Whether you’re seeking a short-term certificate or a bachelor’s degree you can complete online, Virginia offers flexible ways to move forward.
Many students balance school with work, long commutes, or family responsibilities. Online and hybrid programs help you stay on track without having to rearrange your entire routine.
Higher Education Landscape in Virginia
In Virginia, you can choose from public universities, private colleges, community colleges, and workforce training centers. Community colleges appeal to learners who want affordable tuition, smaller class sizes, or an easy transfer path into bachelor’s programs. Universities serve students who want access to specialized majors, research, or a full campus experience.
Workforce and technical programs help you develop practical skills for careers in healthcare support, trades, emergency services, information technology, and advanced manufacturing. If your schedule is unpredictable, you’ll find a large selection of online courses and full degree programs offered across the state.
Hybrid options let you combine remote coursework with on-campus labs or clinical requirements so you can gain hands-on experience.
Programs and Majors in Virginia
Students in Virginia often choose majors that reflect the state’s strong industries and fast-growing sectors. Popular fields of study include:
- nursing and allied health
- business administration, accounting, and management
- computer science, information systems, and cybersecurity
- engineering, industrial technology, and applied sciences
- education, counseling, and human services
- public administration, criminal justice, and emergency management
Community colleges offer certificates in HVAC, welding, network support, EMT training, paralegal studies, and medical assisting. Universities throughout Virginia also provide online degrees for students who need flexible schedules.
Affordability and Learning Formats
Many students in Virginia use federal aid, state-funded grants, institutional scholarships, and employer tuition support to cover educational costs. Community colleges are often the most affordable starting point, especially for students planning to transfer. Some institutions also offer in-state tuition benefits for military-connected students given the state’s large military population.
If you need flexibility, you can choose among fully online programs, hybrid classes, evening courses, and accelerated sessions. These options make school more manageable if you’re working full time or balancing family responsibilities.
Career Pathways in Virginia
Virginia’s economy supports careers in healthcare, technology, cybersecurity, government, business, education, and engineering. Colleges help you prepare through internships, clinical rotations, apprenticeships, and cooperative programs. Graduates commonly enter roles such as:
- nursing and healthcare support
- cybersecurity, IT support, and software development
- business operations, accounting, and management
- teaching, counseling, and community-based services
- engineering, logistics, and industrial technology
Many institutions partner with employers across Northern Virginia, the Hampton Roads region, and central Virginia to align programs with local workforce needs.
Explore Virginia Colleges & Career Resources
You can use the resources below to compare Virginia colleges, degree programs, and career opportunities. These articles may help you explore your options and plan your next steps.
An ultrasound technician in Virginia must have an associate or bachelor's degree, and should be ARDMS certified before they can begin work in a medical facility.
Explore the various requirements of becoming a teacher in Virginia. Many of these requirements can be completed online for an easier and hassle-free experience.
Aspiring teachers in the Commonwealth have many paths to choose from. But all future teachers need to earn a bachelor's degree and pass certification exams.
Future software engineers in Virginia will need a bachelor's degree, but polishing their skills with bootcamps or even a master's degree, will open up more opportunities.
Various online colleges in Virginia accept the FAFSA. Some of these include Virginia Commonwealth University, Liberty University, and Old Dominion University.
There are many schools in Virginia that offer online degree programs. Common areas of study include computer information systems and healthcare administration.
Discover the leading online community colleges in Virginia for 2024, offering fully online programs designed for flexible learning. Explore our top picks to advance your education and career.
Explore the best online Christian colleges in Virginia. Discover accredited programs seamlessly integrating faith and academics in our comprehensive guide.
Explore the best HBCUs in Virginia with our comprehensive guide, showcasing top institutions for quality education and culture. Start your journey today.
Virginia has a wide range of military-friendly colleges that support service members and veterans by providing financial assistance for education expenses.
While Virginia is home to many historic schools, there are also many quality colleges and universities with high acceptance rates. These 10 schools admit at least 80% of applicants.
In this article, find out more about free college options in Virginia. You can participate in college courses and even earn degrees either for free or at a significant cost reduction.
Students interested in completing an affordable online associate degree in Virginia have many options. These ten schools charge an average of $167 per credit hour.
In Virginia, many colleges offer affordable, flexible online psychology degree programs so that students can earn their degrees without going into deep debt.
While an entirely cost-free degree doesn't exist, we explore ways to earn a cheap online master's degree, from tuition-reducing strategies to affordable Virginia schools.
There are many schools in Virginia offering online RN to BSN programs. Some of these programs offer affordable tuition rates and generous financial aid options.
Transfer credits are accepted at multiple Virginia online colleges. Old Dominion University, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Virginia Tech are just a few.
Explore top trade schools in Virginia offering flexible programs for students. Discover accredited institutions providing career-focused education and the careers you can opt for.
Various colleges in Virginia offer LPN programs. These certificates and associate degrees provide in-person or a blend of online and on-campus instruction.
Here are the ten best online cybersecurity degree programs in Virginia from accredited colleges that students can earn through flexible distance learning.
Virginia is pushing for all its registered nurses (RNs) to upgrade their degrees to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Learn about 10 universities that offer the RN to BSN degree in Virginia completely online.
Virginia residents can earn top online political science degrees at schools with good reputations offering online support, accelerated paths, or financial aid.
Graduate students in Virginia can reach their business career goals through flexible online Master of Business Administration degree programs in their state.
Dive into the best options for earning a Virginia online nursing degree. From flexible RN to BSN degrees to accredited DNP courses, find the best fit for your nursing future.
Schools throughout Virginia offer high-quality online accounting degrees. These programs teach skills to help students excel in financial services careers.
Only one school in Virginia offers artificial intelligence-related degree programs. Students can also study AI online at various out-of-state universities.
Two Virginia schools offer online graphic design degrees. Students can also pursue online education at various top out-of-state colleges and universities.
Unlock the future of your career with insights into first-rate colleges in the Old Dominion State. Your gateway to success awaits you today with an online marketing degree in Virginia in 2024.
Many Virginia colleges and universities offer online psychology programs. Students earn these degrees to start or advance careers in a wide range of fields.
Check out these Virginia online computer science degree programs to learn how to use computer science to improve your career or be able to start a new one today.
If you want to know about online business administration degrees in Virginia and how they can help you advance your career, check out the information below.
Many Virginia schools have affordable ASN to BSN programs. Some BSN programs are offered fully online while others are a hybrid of online and in-person learning.
Learn about psychology degree programs in the Virginia Beach, VA, area. See degree options, program requirements and courses at the schools that offer them.
Find out which Virginia schools offer LPN programs. See requirements and school information, and learn about admissions and tuition for a licensed practical nursing education in Virginia.
Find out which Virginia schools offer auto mechanic training programs. See requirements, prerequisites and school information, and compare tuition costs for programs that will enable you to pursue an auto mechanic career in Virginia.
Learn about cosmetology schools in Virginia. Get information about programs available and requirements to make an informed decision about your education.
Find out about dental schools in Virginia. See requirements, prerequisites, program lengths, and school information to help you make an informed decision about your education.
Find out which schools in the vicinity of Virginia Beach offer engineering programs. See school information, and learn about program requirements and classes.
Learn about medical schools in Virginia. Get information about prerequisites, admission requirements, and program length to help you make an informed decision about your education.
Find schools in Virginia that offer radiology programs. Learn about program requirements, tuition rates, and compare school information to make an informed decision about your education.
Find out which schools in Virginia offer dental hygiene degree programs. See program and degree requirements as well as school information for colleges that offer the programs.
Learn about medical assistant diploma programs in Virginia. Get information about programs available and program requirements to make an informed decision about your education.
Learn about marketing degrees in Virginia Beach, VA. Get information about classes available and admission requirements to make an informed decision about your education.
Find schools in Virginia offering healthcare administration degree programs and courses. Learn about admission requirements and field of study options to make an informed decision about your education.
Students can earn accelerated online bachelor's degrees at several schools in Virginia. Some programs can be completed in as little as one to two years.
The fastest ways to become a counselor in Virginia include pursuing an accelerated online master's and enrolling in a combined bachelor's and master's program.
In Virginia, radiology technologists must have an associate degree, pass the ARRT exam, and be licensed. This usually takes at least two years, but accelerated programs are available.
Students in Virginia have many flexible options to become an accountant fast. Completing accelerated online degree programs and using transfer credits can help.
You can earn an accelerated nursing degree at colleges and universities throughout Virginia. Each of these programs takes 15 to 24 months to complete.