Notable Four-Year Colleges and Universities in Virginia

This directory-style guide highlights 50 four-year colleges and universities in Virginia. Each institution is identified by its full profile name and location so similarly named organizations are easier to distinguish. “Notable” is a directory label, not an evaluation of quality or an endorsement.

Entries were selected and ordered using enrollment values available in COSMIQ profiles. Enrollment figures are intentionally omitted. The order is an estimate of institution size, not a ranking of academic quality, outcomes, or fit.

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Institutions in this guide

Liberty University — Lynchburg, Virginia. Private nonprofit four-year institution.
George Mason University — Fairfax, Virginia. Public four-year institution.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University — Blacksburg, Virginia. Public four-year institution.
Virginia Commonwealth University — Richmond, Virginia. Public four-year institution.
University of Virginia-Main Campus — Charlottesville, Virginia. Public four-year institution.
Old Dominion University — Norfolk, Virginia. Public four-year institution.
James Madison University — Harrisonburg, Virginia. Public four-year institution.
Regent University — Virginia Beach, Virginia. Private nonprofit four-year institution.
William & Mary — Williamsburg, Virginia. Public four-year institution.
Radford University — Radford, Virginia. Public four-year institution.
Norfolk State University — Norfolk, Virginia. Public four-year institution.
Virginia State University — Petersburg, Virginia. Public four-year institution.
Christopher Newport University — Newport News, Virginia. Public four-year institution.
Longwood University — Farmville, Virginia. Public four-year institution.
Shenandoah University — Winchester, Virginia. Private nonprofit four-year institution.
University of Richmond — University of Richmond, Virginia. Private nonprofit four-year institution.
University of Mary Washington — Fredericksburg, Virginia. Public four-year institution.
Marymount University — Arlington, Virginia. Private nonprofit four-year institution.
Hampton University — Hampton, Virginia. Private nonprofit four-year institution.
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine — Blacksburg, Virginia. Private nonprofit four-year institution.
University of Lynchburg — Lynchburg, Virginia. Private nonprofit four-year institution.
Washington and Lee University — Lexington, Virginia. Private nonprofit four-year institution.
Mary Baldwin University — Staunton, Virginia. Private nonprofit four-year institution.
Virginia Union University — Richmond, Virginia. Private nonprofit four-year institution.
Roanoke College — Salem, Virginia. Private nonprofit four-year institution.
University of Virginia's College at Wise — Wise, Virginia. Public four-year institution.
Virginia Wesleyan University — Virginia Beach, Virginia. Private nonprofit four-year institution.
Virginia Military Institute — Lexington, Virginia. Public four-year institution.
Randolph-Macon College — Ashland, Virginia. Private nonprofit four-year institution.
Bridgewater College — Bridgewater, Virginia. Private nonprofit four-year institution.
Averett University — Danville, Virginia. Private nonprofit four-year institution.
Emory & Henry College — Emory, Virginia. Private nonprofit four-year institution.
Eastern Mennonite University — Harrisonburg, Virginia. Private nonprofit four-year institution.
Eastern Virginia Medical School — Norfolk, Virginia. Public four-year institution.
Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach — Virginia Beach, Virginia. Private nonprofit four-year institution.
Southern Virginia University — Buena Vista, Virginia. Private nonprofit four-year institution.
Bluefield University — Bluefield, Virginia. Private nonprofit four-year institution.
Ferrum College — Ferrum, Virginia. Private nonprofit four-year institution.
Hampden-Sydney College — Hampden-Sydney, Virginia. Private nonprofit four-year institution.
Virginia University of Lynchburg — Lynchburg, Virginia. Private nonprofit four-year institution.
Hollins University — Roanoke, Virginia. Private nonprofit four-year institution.
Randolph College — Lynchburg, Virginia. Private nonprofit four-year institution.
Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing — Richmond, Virginia. Private nonprofit four-year institution.
Sweet Briar College — Sweet Briar, Virginia. Private nonprofit four-year institution.
Patrick Henry College — Purcellville, Virginia. Private nonprofit four-year institution.
Divine Mercy University — Sterling, Virginia. Private nonprofit four-year institution.
Virginia University of Integrative Medicine — Vienna, Virginia. Private nonprofit four-year institution.
Riverside College of Health Careers — Newport News, Virginia. Private nonprofit four-year institution.
Sentara College of Health Sciences — Chesapeake, Virginia. Private nonprofit four-year institution.
Centra College — Lynchburg, Virginia. Private nonprofit four-year institution.

Selection and source notes

Where enough eligible profiles were available, this guide includes the top 50, 25, or 10 by available enrollment; smaller groups include all eligible profiles. Profile source year: 2022. Check each institution directly for current information.

Sources: NCES IPEDS. Inclusion does not imply endorsement by COSMIQ, and it does not mean that any listed institution endorses COSMIQ.