Best Value Online Schools In Virginia

Updated June 21, 2021

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Why Study Online?

Online learning offers many benefits, including cost savings. By not living on campus or traveling to campus for classes, students can save money on housing, food, transportation, and other living expenses. Some schools also offer lower tuition rates for online classes and do not charge online students many of the fees they charge students who spend time on campus.

Online programs also offer greater flexibility than on-campus programs, enabling students to more easily balance school with personal and professional responsibilities. Asynchronous online classes do not require set meeting times, allowing students to access course content and assignments at their convenience. Synchronous courses require set meeting times, which typically offer less flexibility but more structure than asynchronous classes.

Featured Online Programs

Figuring out where to apply? These top, accredited schools offer a variety of online degrees. Consider one of these accredited programs, and discover their value today.

Top 10 Value Online Schools in Virginia

This guide ranks the best value online schools in Virginia so students can find the best fit for their budget, schedule, and career goals.

Averett University

Location
Danville, VA

Tuition
$32.91

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University of Virginia

Location
Charlottesville, VA

Tuition
$94.16

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Mary Baldwin University

Location
Staunton, VA

Tuition
$36.3

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George Mason University

Location
Fairfax, VA

Tuition
$66.88

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Radford University

Location
Radford, VA

Tuition
$58.74

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Old Dominion University

Location
Norfolk, VA

Tuition
$51.58

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James Madison University

Location
Harrisonburg, VA

Tuition
$82.43

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Regent University

Location
Virginia Beach, VA

Tuition
$50

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Norfolk State University

Location
Norfolk, VA

Tuition
$32.63

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Bluefield College

Location
Bluefield, VA

Tuition
$50

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At Best Value Schools, we help students of all ages get the best possible value for their education. When choosing the best schools and programs, we prioritize tuition rates, student debt, financial aid opportunities, graduation rates, and the availability of online programs. We source unbiased data from government and educational databases like the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for 6,374 schools across the U.S. We organize that data into five weighted categories to compile our school rankings.

Metric	Data Used	Percentage
Academic Quality	Full-time faculty percentage, student-to-faculty ratio, student retention and graduation rates	25%
Affordability	Tuition rates, median student debt, and financial aid	35%
Reputation	Admission and enrollment rates	15%
Program Offerings	Number of program options	10%
Online Enrollment Score	Portion of learners taking at least one online course	15%

You can read more about our comprehensive evaluation process on our methodology page.

Online students can access course materials and assignments from any location, so they can attend programs all over the country without relocating. However, some schools charge out-of-state students higher tuition rates than in-state students.

Some programs allow all online students to pay in-state tuition rates regardless of where they live, while others only extend tuition discounts to in-state students.

Online degrees typically require the same number of courses and take the same amount of time to complete as on-campus degrees.

Yes, online students often qualify for the same financial aid opportunities as on-campus students.

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Accreditation for Online Programs

Accreditation is a voluntary review process that colleges and universities undergo to demonstrate that their programs meet high academic standards. Schools may receive regional or national accreditation, with regional accreditation generally considered the more prestigious of the two. One of seven regional accrediting bodies, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges accredits online schools in Virginia.

Programs within a school may also receive accreditation, such as business, social work, and nursing programs. The Distance Education Accrediting Commission ensures that online schools seeking accreditation meet established standards for quality, such as employing qualified faculty and providing support for students. Learn more about accreditation.

Career and Salary Outlook for Graduates

While salaries vary by location and experience, Virginia professionals earned a mean annual salary of $56,740 in 2019, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). In the Northern Virginia metropolitan area, workers earned $72,600, on average, which is well above the national average of $53,490. Virginia workers also benefit from a low 2.6% unemployment rate (February 2020).

Graduates from an online school in Virginia enjoy many benefits. For instance, workers typically earn higher average salaries and experience lower rates of unemployment with each level of education they attain. According to the BLS, the median weekly wage for graduates with a bachelor's degree is $1,248, compared to $887 for graduates with an associate degree and $746 for high school graduates.

Financial Aid for Virginia Students

Students attending Virginia online schools may qualify for financial aid opportunities, including loans, grants, and work-study programs. Students can apply for federal aid by submitting the FAFSA. In addition to grants, which do not require repayment, the federal government offers unsubsidized and subsidized loans to eligible students. Students who accept loans must start repaying them once they stop attending school.

Students may also qualify for additional forms of financial aid, such as work-study programs and scholarships. Like grants, scholarships do not require repayment.

Scholarships for Virginia Students

Many organizations, companies, and foundations offer scholarships to Virginia college students to help cover education costs. Organizations may award scholarships based on factors like financial need, academic qualifications, student interests, or other criteria. We cover several scholarship opportunities for Virginia students below.COLLAPSE ALLEXPAND ALL

AdvanSix STEM Scholarship

Who Can Apply: Students from eligible Virginia cities, like Hopewell, planning to major in a STEM field qualify for this opportunity. Applicants must take at least six credits, demonstrate financial need, and possess a minimum 3.0 GPA.

Amount: $1,000Apply for Scholarship

The Esperanza Education Fund Scholarship

Who Can Apply: Students born outside the U.S. (or with parents born outside the U.S.) who are living in Virginia, Maryland, or Washington, D.C., and planning to enroll full time at a public school may apply. Applicants must demonstrate financial need.

Amount: $5,000-$20,000Apply for Scholarship

Scholarship for Survivors

Who Can Apply: Undergraduates from Virginia under age 25 who were diagnosed with or treated for cancer within the last five years may apply. Applicants must submit an essay and verification of their medical diagnosis.

Amount: $3,000 per year ($12,000 total)Apply for Scholarship

Virginia Chapter of HIMSS Scholarship

Who Can Apply: Student members of the Virginia Chapter of the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society enrolled in a program related to health information or technology may apply.

Amount: $5,000Apply for Scholarship

VSCPA Educational Foundation Undergraduate Accounting Scholarship

Who Can Apply: U.S. citizens enrolled in an accounting program at a Virginia college or university may apply. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and hold a minimum 3.0 GPA.

Amount: $1,500-$3,000Apply for Scholarship

Tuition

Since public colleges and universities receive state funding, they typically charge lower tuition rates to in-state students than out-of-state students. In-state students at public, four-year institutions paid an average of $12,637 in tuition and fees in 2016-17, while out-of-state students paid an average of $33,428.

To qualify for in-state tuition at state schools in Virginia, students must demonstrate residency in Virginia for at least one year. Some schools, especially private schools, offer the same tuition rates to all students, regardless of residency. Others offer substantially discounted tuition rates for online classes.

Learn More...

Scholarships in Virginia
25 Most Affordable Universities in America

Additional Resources

Use articles and resources to uncover answers to common questions, get guidance on your goals, and learn about applying to schools.

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