Online education offers a wide range of programs and degrees. Many aspiring college students consider online classes to be the future of learning. If you live in Virginia or are looking for a list of accredited online schools in Virginia, you’ve come to the right place.
This article will provide you with information about the best online colleges in Virginia. We’ll give you details on virtual schools in Virginia with affordable options and various academic programs to help your school search and provide you with excellent career choices.
Types of Accredited Colleges in Virginia
There are two types of college accreditations, national and regional. Both accreditations are different from each other and serve an important purpose. The key distinction is that credits earned from regionally approved colleges are typically more recognized and easily transferrable. Below, the two types of accreditations are explained in detail.
Regionally Accredited Online Colleges
Regional accreditation often involves academically focused, state-owned or nonprofit colleges. Each regional accrediting agency serves a specific geographic region of the United States, with some serving overseas locations.
Nationally Accredited Online Colleges
National accreditations are generally for profit-driven colleges that offer vocational, career, or technical programs. National accrediting agencies certify colleges all around the country. Transfer credits from other nationally approved and regionally accredited schools are accepted.
Choosing Between Virtual Schools in Virginia: 3 Factors to Consider
Quality of the Curriculum
One factor to consider before enrolling is the curriculum of the online school. Think about the online courses you want to take and how you want to learn. While online degrees are not the same as on-campus degrees, the quality of the programs and learning outcomes should be equal.
Research and compare program descriptions, course offerings, and other features of the degrees you are considering to ensure the online classes will benefit you and get you closer to your career goals.
Accreditation
Prospective students should choose an accredited program to apply for financial aid. Only programs certified by the Department of Education are eligible for federal funds. Therefore, eligible students must be enrolled in an accredited college to apply for financial assistance programs.
Cost
Compare the tuition rate of the program you are considering with other online degree programs to see if they are similar. Comparing costs ensures quality and affordable education. Not all expensive online college education can provide you with the learning and job opportunities you desire. Similarly, not all low-cost degrees are of poor quality.
Best Online Colleges in Virginia: Overview
| School | City | Standard Online Tuition (Per Credit) | Top Online Programs | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Averett University | Danville | In state: $655 Out of state: $655 |
Bachelor’s Degree in sociology, Master’s Degree in Applied Data Analytics, Associate Program in Business Administration | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (Regional) |
| Bluefield College | Bluefield | In state: $365 Out of state: $365 |
Bachelor’s Degree in Communication, Master of Arts in Education, BSN Nursing Degree | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (Regional) |
| George Mason University | Fairfax | In state: $546.50 Out of state: $1,523.50 |
Bachelor’s Degree in Health Administration, Master’s Degree in Accounting, Master’s Degree in Computer Science | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (Regional) |
| Hampton University | Hampton | In state: $695 Out of state:$695 |
Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice, Associate of Science in Business Management, Certificate of Paralegal Studies | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (Regional) |
| James Madison University | Harrisonburg | In state: $513 Out of state: $1,231 |
Bachelor of Science in Individualized Study, Educational Technology Graduate Certificate, Master’s Degree in Mathematics Education | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (Regional) |
| Liberty University | Lynchburg | In state: $565 Out of state: $565 |
Bachelor’s Degree in Aviation, Master’s Degree in Public Health, Doctor of Business Administration | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (Regional) |
| Mary Baldwin University | Staunton | In state: $460 Out of state: $460 |
Bachelor’s Degree in Health Sciences, Master’s Degree in Business Administration, Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (Regional) |
| Norfolk State University | Norfolk | In state: $437 Out of state: $945 |
Bachelor’s Degree in Tourism and Hospitality Management, Master’s Degree in Electronics Engineering, Certificate in Health Services Management | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (Regional) |
| Regent University | Virginia Beach | In state: $650 Out of state: $650 |
Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies, Master’s Degree in Human Services, Master’s Degree in Theater | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (Regional) |
| Stratford University | Falls Church | In state: $495 Out of state: $495 |
Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology, Master’s Degree in Software Engineering, Associate Degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management | Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (National) |
Top Online Schools in Virginia: Deep Dive
The schools below offer various bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees to online campus students living in and outside of Virginia. These colleges are accredited with quality online programs, affordable college tuition, and provisions to help with tuition costs.
Averett University | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Averett offers online degree programs and flexible online classes. Various bachelor’s and master’s degrees and one associate degree program are available on their online catalog. The school also provides an online accelerated Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing.
Averett offers master’s degrees in disciplines such as teaching and applied data analytics and a bachelor’s degree in education. Online students at Averett also have access to a student success counselor for career guidance during enrollment and throughout their term at the university.
Bluefield College | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Bluefield College is a private university located in Bluefield, Virginia. Over 70 academic programs are available, which allow online students to discover different career paths. They are a Christian college with a 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio and an affordable and flexible online program for online learners living in and outside of Virginia.
George Mason University | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
George Mason University is located in Fairfax, Virginia. For students pursuing an undergraduate education, it offers multiple bachelor’s degree programs and various minors. Popular online degrees at Mason Online include the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Computer Game Design, Bachelor of Applied Science in Cybersecurity, and Bachelor of Science in Psychology.
Online learning at George Mason is flexible, and the average tuition is quite affordable, making it a solid choice for online learners.
Hampton University | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Hampton University is a Christian university that offers a wide variety of online degrees, including graduate and doctoral degrees. The school also offers certificate and associate degree programs. Online students may choose from three master’s degrees and four doctoral programs to further their education in Philosophy, Education, and Cybersecurity.
Hampton University also offers associate degree programs in Biblical Studies, Business Management, General Studies, and Religious Studies. Some examples of online bachelor’s degrees at Hampton include Public Safety Administration, Aviation Management, and Criminal Justice programs.
James Madison University | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
James Madison offers high-quality online learning programs to distance education students. If you are a college student interested in starting a master’s or graduate certificate program online, you can do so at James Madison University. While each program’s prerequisites may vary, all programs have the same high standards as their on-campus courses.
James Madison advises online students to refer to the JMU Professional Licensure Program Status by Jurisdiction Index to see if the academic program you’re interested in fits the educational standards provided by your jurisdiction’s licensing board.
Liberty University | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Liberty University is a private college in Lynchburg, Virginia. They are a nonprofit Christian college that offers school students online undergraduate and graduate programs. Liberty University offers associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, and doctoral degree programs. Their online courses are held for eight weeks per session.
Mary Baldwin University | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Mary Baldwin University is a coeducational university that offers a wide variety of programs, from undergraduate degrees to graduate degree programs. Online learners get the best educational experience at Mary Baldwin with different programs in fields such as business administration, sociology, and education.
Norfolk State University | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Norfolk State University is one of the public schools in Virginia that allows degree seekers to choose the programs of study according to their interests. Online learning at Norfolk State University helps college students fast track their careers. Their self-paced programs offer many benefits, and students get immediate results and feedback on their course status.
Regent University | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
At Regent University, online learners have various programs of study to choose from. With affordable tuition, online course sessions that last for eight weeks, and a generous transfer credit policy that includes up to 90 minutes, Regent University makes it easy for undergraduate and graduate students to find suitable courses of study for the right career fit.
Stratford University | Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools
Stratford University is nationally accredited and offers degree seekers quality undergraduate programs and graduate degree programs. Stratford University offers a flexible online program with an experienced faculty. Different courses of study are available for students to make informed decisions and contribute positively to their educational experience.
Should I Consider Accredited Online Colleges in Virginia?
Yes. Accreditation is an important criterion for online college programs. Whether you are in or out of the state, you should explore the many options that online colleges in Virginia have to offer. Some of these options include distance courses in various disciplines, undergraduate and graduate programs, financial aid programs, career guidance, generous transfer credit policy, and other benefits.
Accredited Online Colleges FAQ
Visit the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) website to check if a school is accredited. You’ll find connections to all six regional accreditation institutions here, as well as information on whether or not your school has accreditation from one of the recognized agencies. Legitimate colleges will also provide career services to students.
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In general, most employers are not opposed to online degrees. However, it is a good idea to go to your school’s career center and explore the relationship with the local business sector to guarantee that future employers take your degree seriously.
Yes, online college costs less. Depending on their field of study, campus students tend to pay more for in-person classes than for online college programs. An online bachelor or online master program can be a much more affordable option.
Some of the most accessible online degrees include business administration, liberal arts, education, and health sciences. You can also expand your possibilities by exploring hybrid programs.
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