Most Affordable Colleges in Virginia 2026
Key Takeaways
- Public universities in Virginia are often the most affordable options for in-state residents seeking a bachelor’s degree.
- The most affordable college in Virginia has an average cost of $9,000 per year.
- The most affordable colleges in Virginia included on the list have not only low published tuition fees but also offer high-quality education, financial aid opportunities, and access to various educational alternatives.
10 Most Affordable Colleges in Virginia 2026
There are 21 colleges and universities in Virginia with stated tuitions and fees under $20,000/year. The following list of the most affordable colleges and universities in Virginia is composed entirely of schools offering bachelor’s degree programs, have stated tuition and fees near or under the national average of $16,000/year, and are fully accredited colleges.
Most Affordable Colleges in Virginia 2023
These schools are ranked by academic excellence, and all under $20,000/year.
- #10 15 Best Online Colleges for Veterans to Start Their Careers 2026 #2 Best Colleges in Virginia 2026 #2 Best Grad Schools in Virginia 2026 #2 Best Public Colleges in Virginia 2026
Tuition + fees
$14K
Acceptance
87%
Graduation
66%
Student body
48K
Median SAT/ACT
1260/27
Career Outlook for degree at George Mason University
Cost of Degree: $13,815Expenses: $19,933Starting Salary: $79,923Cost Recoup Time: 9 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is George Mason University known for?
George Mason University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Economics
- Political Science
- Criminal Justice
- Law
- Computer Science
- Sociology
- Business
- Philosophy
- Earth Sciences
- History
Most Influential Alumni
- #3 Best Colleges in Virginia 2026 #3 Best Grad Schools in Virginia 2026 #3 Best Public Colleges in Virginia 2026 #3 Best Research Universities in Virginia 2026
Tuition + fees
$16K
Acceptance
55%
Graduation
86%
Student body
41K
Median SAT/ACT
1365/30
Career Outlook for degree at Virginia Tech
Cost of Degree: $15,478Expenses: $21,774Starting Salary: $88,716Cost Recoup Time: 9 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Virginia Tech known for?
Virginia Tech’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Engineering
- Criminal Justice
- Computer Science
- Economics
- Earth Sciences
- Political Science
- Biology
- Medical
- Mathematics
- Business
Most Influential Alumni
- #5 Best Grad Schools in Virginia 2026 #5 Best Public Colleges in Virginia 2026 #5 Best Research Universities in Virginia 2026 #6 Best Colleges in Virginia 2026
Tuition + fees
$17K
Acceptance
93%
Graduation
65%
Student body
31K
Median SAT/ACT
1140/26
Career Outlook for degree at Virginia Commonwealth University
Cost of Degree: $16,233Expenses: $23,509Starting Salary: $64,442Cost Recoup Time: 12 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Virginia Commonwealth University known for?
Virginia Commonwealth University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Virginia Commonwealth University’s Online Degrees
BSN in Nursing: RN to BSN
- Required Credits: 32
- Format: Fully online
BS in Clinical Laboratory Science
- Required Credits: 40
- Format: Fully online
- #7 Best Grad Schools in Virginia 2026 #7 Best Public Colleges in Virginia 2026 #7 Best Research Universities in Virginia 2026 #10 Best Colleges in Virginia 2026
Tuition + fees
$13K
Acceptance
90%
Graduation
43%
Student body
26K
Median SAT/ACT
1190/26
Career Outlook for degree at Old Dominion University
Cost of Degree: $12,262Expenses: $19,392Starting Salary: $60,482Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Old Dominion University known for?
Old Dominion University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Engineering
- Computer Science
- Sociology
- Earth Sciences
- Criminal Justice
- Business
- Education
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Political Science
Most Influential Alumni
Old Dominion University’s Online Degrees
BA in Fashion Merchandising
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Finance
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Marketing
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Real Estate
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Risk Management And Insurance
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Accounting
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Business Administration
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Marketing Education
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Computer Engineering
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Computer Science
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Information Systems And Technology
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Computer Engineering Technology (Electrical Engineering Technology)
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Embedded Systems Technology (Electrical Engineering Technology)
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Technology Education
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Criminal Justice
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Cybersecurity
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Cybercrime
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Training Specialist (Occupational And Technical Studies)
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Elementary Education
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Special Education
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Communication
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS or BA in Geography
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Political Science
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BA in Sociology
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Communication Systems Technology (Electrical Engineering Technology)
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Leadership
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Professional Writing
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Health Sciences-Health Services Administration
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Dental Hygiene
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Medical Laboratory Science
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BSN in Nursing
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Public Health
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Psychology
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Civil Engineering Technology
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in General Engineering Technology- Electromechanical Systems (Ids)
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Industrial Technology
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Mechatronics Systems Technology
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Met-Manufacturing Systems/Mechanical System Design
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Met-Nuclear Systems Concentration
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Power Systems Technology
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
- #4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Virginia 2026 #8 Best Grad Schools in Virginia 2026 #8 Best Public Colleges in Virginia 2026 #2 Fastest Accelerated Online Master's of Cybersecurity 2026
Tuition + fees
$15K
Acceptance
72%
Graduation
80%
Student body
25K
Median SAT/ACT
1255/26
Career Outlook for degree at James Madison University
Cost of Degree: $13,576Expenses: $18,398Starting Salary: $75,482Cost Recoup Time: 9 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is James Madison University known for?
James Madison University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Earth Sciences
- Mathematics
- Criminal Justice
- Communications
- Political Science
- Computer Science
- History
- Physics
- Economics
- Education
Most Influential Alumni
James Madison University’s Online Degrees
BSN in Nursing: RN to BSN
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 1 year
- Format: Fully online
- #5 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Virginia 2026 #9 Best Grad Schools in Virginia 2026 #9 Best Public Colleges in Virginia 2026 #13 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Criminal Justice Degrees
Tuition + fees
$13K
Acceptance
90%
Graduation
48%
Student body
9K
Median SAT/ACT
1050/22
Career Outlook for degree at Radford University
Cost of Degree: $12,286Expenses: $16,885Starting Salary: $59,134Cost Recoup Time: 10 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Radford University known for?
Radford University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Nursing
- Psychology
- Criminal Justice
- Medical
- Social Work
- Economics
- Communications
- Biology
- Earth Sciences
- Education
Most Influential Alumni
Radford University’s Online Degrees
BBA in Business
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Emergency Services
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Healthcare Administration
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Public Health
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BSN in Nursing
- Format: Fully online
- #2 Best Christian Colleges in Virginia 2026 #6 Best Private Colleges in Virginia 2026 #6 Best Small Colleges in Virginia 2026 #7 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Virginia 2026
Tuition + fees
$20K
Acceptance
98%
Graduation
28%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at Virginia Union University
Cost of Degree: $14,880Expenses: $14,552Starting Salary: $44,816Cost Recoup Time: 12 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Virginia Union University known for?
Virginia Union University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Social Work
- Education
- History
- Political Science
- Chemistry
- Business
- Sociology
- Medical
- Communications
- Psychology
Most Influential Alumni
- #6 Best Online HBCU Doctoral Programs 2026 #10 Best HBCU Online Master's Programs #19 Most Influential HBCUs in the US Ranked for 2026 #7 Best Small Colleges in Virginia 2026
Tuition + fees
$10K
Acceptance
89%
Graduation
37%
Student body
6K
Median SAT/ACT
955/17
Career Outlook for degree at Virginia State University
Cost of Degree: $9,755Expenses: $17,906Starting Salary: $49,358Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Virginia State University known for?
Virginia State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Social Work
- Engineering
- Education
- Mathematics
- Criminal Justice
- Political Science
- History
- Business
- Communications
- Computer Science
Most Influential Alumni
Virginia State University’s Online Degrees
BSN in Nursing: RN to BSN
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
- #9 Best Small Colleges in Virginia 2026 #10 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Virginia 2026 #7 Best Online MBA Programs in Virginia #7 Best Online Colleges in Virginia 2026
Tuition + fees
$15K
Acceptance
80%
Graduation
65%
Student body
4K
Median SAT/ACT
1270/29
Career Outlook for degree at University of Mary Washington
Cost of Degree: $14,559Expenses: $17,990Starting Salary: $66,028Cost Recoup Time: 10 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is University of Mary Washington known for?
University of Mary Washington’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Literature
- Philosophy
- Education
- Nursing
- Anthropology
- Physics
- Political Science
- Communications
- History
- Sociology
Most Influential Alumni
University of Mary Washington’s Online Degrees
BSN in Nursing: RN to BSN
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 1 year
- Format: Fully online
- #13 Most Influential HBCUs in the US Ranked for 2026 #14 Best HBCU Online Master's Programs #23 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Social Work Degrees #5 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in Virginia 2026
Tuition + fees
$10K
Acceptance
88%
Graduation
35%
Student body
7K
Median SAT/ACT
926/19
Career Outlook for degree at Norfolk State University
Cost of Degree: $9,910Expenses: $17,592Starting Salary: $49,237Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Norfolk State University known for?
Norfolk State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Social Work
- Computer Science
- Engineering
- Criminal Justice
- Mathematics
- Nursing
- Physics
- Communications
- History
- Sociology
Most Influential Alumni
Norfolk State University’s Online Degrees
BS in Business
Degree Concentrations
- Entrepreneurship
- Finance
- Management
- Management Information Systems
- Marketing
- Management Information Systems
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Tourism And Hospitality Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BA in History
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BA in Interdisciplinary Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Interdisciplinary Studies
- Format: Fully online
BSN in Nursing: RN to BSN
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Health Services Management
- Completion Time: 120
- Format: Fully online
BA in Psychology
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
Tuition + fees
$17K
Acceptance
86%
Graduation
75%
Student body
5K
Median SAT/ACT
1175/27
Career Outlook for degree at Christopher Newport University
Cost of Degree: $16,351Expenses: $18,172Starting Salary: $65,183Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Christopher Newport University known for?
Christopher Newport University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Computer Science
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Communications
- History
- Engineering
- Psychology
- Political Science
- Philosophy
- Mathematics
Most Influential Alumni
Tuition + fees
$17K
Acceptance
90%
Graduation
62%
Student body
6K
Median SAT/ACT
1120/22
Career Outlook for degree at Longwood University
Cost of Degree: $15,200Expenses: $19,931Starting Salary: $55,653Cost Recoup Time: 12 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Longwood University known for?
Longwood University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
What is Stratford University known for?
Stratford University’s Online Degrees
BS in Accounting
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 15 months
- Format: Fully online
BS in Business Administration
Degree Concentrations
- Finance
- Management
- Human Resources
- Marketing
- Informatics
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 15 months
- Format: Fully online
BS in Hospitality Management
Degree Concentrations
- Advanced Culinary Arts
- Baking And Pastry Arts
- Hotel And Restaurant Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 15 months
- Format: Fully online
BS in Information Technology
Degree Concentrations
- Cybersecurity
- Network Administration
- Software Engineering
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 15 months
- Format: Fully online
BSN in Nursing: RN to BSN
- Required Credits: 30
- Format: Fully online
BS in Health Information Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 15 months
- Format: Fully online
BS in Health Sciences
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 15 months
- Format: Fully online
BS in Healthcare Administration
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 15 months
- Format: Fully online
Tuition + fees
$11K
Graduation
35%
Student body
1K
Career Outlook for degree at Virginia University of Lynchburg
Cost of Degree: $9,248Expenses: $16,329Starting Salary: $31,749Cost Recoup Time: 14 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Virginia University of Lynchburg known for?
Virginia University of Lynchburg’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
29%
Graduation
44%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1032/20
Career Outlook for degree at University of Virginia's College at Wise
Cost of Degree: $11,656Expenses: $16,745Starting Salary: $50,389Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is University of Virginia's College at Wise known for?
University of Virginia's College at Wise’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
University of Virginia's College at Wise’s Online Degrees
BSN in Nursing
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: 1-2 years
- Format: Fully online
Virginia’s Most Affordable Colleges in Your Area of Interest
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