Cheapest Online Colleges in Virginia [2025 Guide]
Virginia boasts a robust network of colleges and universities that provide exceptional online programs at affordable rates, ensuring they fit seamlessly into your schedule.
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Virginia's higher education system is one of the most comprehensive in the nation, rivaling other states with its wide array of degree-granting institutions. The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) highlights that tuition at Virginia's public colleges is competitively priced, often below the national average.
This extensive and high-quality educational infrastructure allows students in Virginia to easily access diverse online learning opportunities. If you're seeking an affordable online college in Virginia, our meticulously curated list has you covered.
Methodology
EDsmart rankings are based on data provided by NCES IPEDS reports via College Scorecard. All schools must provide four data points that EDsmart relies on to rank higher education institutions:
- Average Net Price
- Graduation Rate
- Retention Rate
- Median Earnings
Any school missing any one of the data points was not considered in our ranking. Only 4-year schools were considered for this ranking.
The rankings below are based solely on their average net prices.
EDsmart ranks colleges by Net Price, not just tuition, to show real costs. Net Price includes grants and scholarships, giving a more accurate picture of affordability.
Popular Online Colleges
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.Most Affordable Online Colleges in Virginia
1. Virginia State University
Average Net Price: $14,164
Graduation Rate: 50%
Retention Rate: 74%
Median Earnings: $45,543
Virginia State University has an admission rate of 89.72%, offering a relatively high chance of acceptance. The average cost of attendance is $23,673, with in-state tuition and fees at $9,654 and out-of-state tuition and fees at $21,409. The median debt for students who have completed their studies is $26,500, indicating a moderate level of financial obligation upon graduation.
2. Old Dominion University
Average Net Price: $15,415
Graduation Rate: 57%
Retention Rate: 73%
Median Earnings: $54,914
Old Dominion University boasts a high admission rate of 95.14%, making it accessible to most applicants. The average cost of attendance is $26,060, with in-state tuition and fees of $11,220 and out-of-state tuition and fees of $31,170. The median debt for students who have completed their studies is $24,000, suggesting a reasonable financial burden for graduates.
3. Radford University
Average Net Price: $16,310
Graduation Rate: 61%
Retention Rate: 68%
Median Earnings: $53,739
Radford University has an admission rate of 93.34%, providing good accessibility to prospective students. The average cost of attendance is $25,873, with in-state tuition and fees at $11,916 and out-of-state tuition and fees at $24,453. The median debt for students who have completed their studies is $24,000, reflecting a manageable debt level for graduates.
4. Regent University
Average Net Price: $17,220
Graduation Rate: 46%
Retention Rate: 72%
Median Earnings: $44,498
Regent University has a selective admission rate of 32.34%, making it more competitive. The average cost of attendance is $29,448, with both in-state and out-of-state tuition and fees at $19,680. The median debt for students who have completed their studies is $24,534, indicating a moderate financial commitment for graduates.
5. George Mason University
Average Net Price: $17,385
Graduation Rate: 75%
Retention Rate: 85%
Median Earnings: $76,343
George Mason University has a high admission rate of 90.00%, offering broad accessibility. The average cost of attendance is $26,268, with in-state tuition and fees at $13,401 and out-of-state tuition and fees at $38,983. The median debt for students who have completed their studies is $19,500, indicating a relatively low debt level for graduates.
6. Mary Baldwin University
Average Net Price: $18,390
Graduation Rate: 41%
Retention Rate: 64%
Median Earnings: $44,427
Mary Baldwin University does not have a reported admission rate. The average cost of attendance is $43,096, with both in-state and out-of-state tuition and fees at $32,036. The median debt for students who have completed their studies is $26,586, reflecting a significant financial obligation upon graduation.
7. Virginia Commonwealth University
Average Net Price: $20,405
Graduation Rate: 69%
Retention Rate: 84%
Median Earnings: $58,128
Virginia Commonwealth University has a high admission rate of 91.00%, making it accessible to a large number of students. The average cost of attendance is $33,388, with in-state tuition and fees at $15,828 and out-of-state tuition and fees at $37,786. The median debt for students who have completed their studies is $21,500, suggesting a moderate financial burden for graduates.
8. Longwood University
Average Net Price: $20,679
Graduation Rate: 67%
Retention Rate: 74%
Median Earnings: $52,347
Longwood University has an admission rate of 87.79%, providing good accessibility. The average cost of attendance is $31,501, with in-state tuition and fees at $14,840 and out-of-state tuition and fees at $27,780. The median debt for students who have completed their studies is $25,000, indicating a manageable financial commitment for graduates.
10. University of Lynchburg
Average Net Price: $22,104
Graduation Rate: 63%
Retention Rate: 75%
Median Earnings: $56,380
The University of Lynchburg has a high admission rate of 95.94%, offering broad accessibility. The average cost of attendance is $47,371, with both in-state and out-of-state tuition and fees at $34,500. The median debt for students who have completed their studies is $27,000, suggesting a significant financial obligation upon graduation.
11. James Madison University
Average Net Price: $22,465
Graduation Rate: 84%
Retention Rate: 90%
Median Earnings: $69,954
James Madison University has an admission rate of 78.31%, providing good accessibility. The average cost of attendance is $29,043, with in-state tuition and fees at $13,092 and out-of-state tuition and fees at $30,152. The median debt for students who have completed their studies is $20,093, indicating a relatively low debt level for graduates.
9. Bluefield University
Average Net Price: $22,701
Graduation Rate: 54%
Retention Rate: 59%
Median Earnings: $48,896
Bluefield University has an admission rate of 63.01%, making it moderately selective. The average cost of attendance is $41,528, with both in-state and out-of-state tuition and fees at $29,420. The median debt for students who have completed their studies is $21,855, reflecting a moderate financial burden for graduates.
12. University of Virginia-Main Campus
Average Net Price: $23,101
Graduation Rate: 94%
Retention Rate: 97%
Median Earnings: $86,863
The University of Virginia-Main Campus has a competitive admission rate of 18.66%, making it highly selective. The average cost of attendance is $36,314, with in-state tuition and fees at $20,342 and out-of-state tuition and fees at $55,914. The median debt for students who have completed their studies is $17,500, reflecting a low financial burden for graduates.
13. Eastern Mennonite University
Average Net Price: $23,206
Graduation Rate: 70%
Retention Rate: 78%
Median Earnings: $54,869
Eastern Mennonite University has a high admission rate of 99.48%, offering broad accessibility. The average cost of attendance is $53,834, with both in-state and out-of-state tuition and fees at $40,990. The median debt for students who have completed their studies is $24,813, indicating a moderate financial commitment for graduates.
15. Averett University
Average Net Price: $26,542
Graduation Rate: 51%
Retention Rate: 66%
Median Earnings: $51,516
Averett University has an admission rate of 76.03%, making it moderately selective. The average cost of attendance is $50,240, with both in-state and out-of-state tuition and fees at $37,790. The median debt for students who have completed their studies is $25,000, suggesting a significant financial obligation upon graduation.
14. Shenandoah University
Average Net Price: $28,295
Graduation Rate: 59%
Retention Rate: 80%
Median Earnings: $58,433
Shenandoah University has an admission rate of 80.36%, providing good accessibility. The average cost of attendance is $49,610, with both in-state and out-of-state tuition and fees at $35,170. The median debt for students who have completed their studies is $25,000, reflecting a significant financial burden for graduates.
16. Liberty University
Average Net Price: $29,882
Graduation Rate: 38%
Retention Rate: 79%
Median Earnings: $44,813
Liberty University has a high admission rate of 99.29%, offering broad accessibility. The average cost of attendance is $41,963, with both in-state and out-of-state tuition and fees at $22,511. The median debt for students who have completed their studies is $24,500, reflecting a moderate financial burden for graduates.
Popular Online Colleges
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.Insights and Analysis
The rankings of the most affordable online colleges in VA reveal a diverse landscape of higher education in terms of affordability, graduation outcomes, and post-graduation earnings. Here are some key insights and comparisons:
Net Price and Value Analysis
Lowest Net Price:
- Virginia State University ($14,164) offers the lowest average net price, making it an attractive option for students looking for affordable education. This is paired with a moderate graduation rate of 50% and median earnings of $45,543.
Highest Net Price:
- Liberty University ($29,882) has the highest net price, with a graduation rate of 38% and median earnings of $44,813. This raises questions about the value proposition given the high cost and relatively low graduation rate.
Graduation Rates vs. Median Earnings
High Graduation Rates and Earnings:
- University of Virginia-Main Campus boasts the highest graduation rate (94%) and median earnings ($86,863). This strong performance indicates excellent educational outcomes and a good return on investment for students.
Moderate Graduation Rates and Earnings:
- George Mason University offers a robust combination of a 75% graduation rate and median earnings of $76,343. Despite a higher net price ($17,385), the low median debt ($19,500) and strong outcomes make it a compelling choice.
Net Price vs. Tuition Comparison
In-State vs. Out-of-State Tuition:
- George Mason University and University of Virginia-Main Campus exhibit significant disparities between in-state and out-of-state tuition, which is typical of public universities aiming to support residents.
- George Mason University: In-state tuition is $13,401 vs. out-of-state at $38,983.
- University of Virginia-Main Campus: In-state tuition is $20,342 vs. out-of-state at $55,914.
Private Universities:
- Private institutions like Mary Baldwin University and Liberty University have the same tuition rates for in-state and out-of-state students, reflecting their private funding structures.
- Mary Baldwin University: $32,036 for both in-state and out-of-state.
- Liberty University: $22,511 for both in-state and out-of-state.
Median Debt Analysis
Low Median Debt:
- University of Virginia-Main Campus ($17,500) and George Mason University ($19,500) have the lowest median debts among their graduates, indicating effective financial aid programs and/or favorable student outcomes.
Higher Median Debt:
- University of Lynchburg and Averett University have higher median debts at $27,000 and $25,000 respectively, which could be a concern for prospective students considering these institutions.
Special Callouts
High Accessibility and Earnings:
- Old Dominion University and Radford University offer high acceptance rates (95.14% and 93.34% respectively) with strong median earnings ($54,914 and $53,739). These universities provide accessible education with favorable outcomes.
Competitive Admissions:
- Regent University and University of Virginia-Main Campus are more selective (32.34% and 18.66% admission rates), suggesting higher academic standards. Both have distinct value propositions with Regent focusing on affordability and UVA on premium educational outcomes.
Balanced Offerings:
- James Madison University provides a balanced profile with an 84% graduation rate, median earnings of $69,954, and relatively low median debt ($20,093), making it a well-rounded option for many students.
Conclusion
The data highlights the importance of considering multiple factors when choosing a university. While cost is a critical component, graduation rates, median earnings, and debt levels also play significant roles in determining the overall value of the educational experience. Prospective students should weigh these elements to find the best fit for their financial and academic goals.