Virginia Colleges & Universities


Ranked sixth in Morgan Quitno Press' Smartest State Award, Virginia schools are among the nation's best. Virginia offers jobs in diverse industries from health care to shipbuilding, and an education from one of the colleges in Virgnia can prepare you for work in these fields.

Get an Education in Virginia: Rich History, Top National Rankings, and Abundant High-Paying Jobs
The tenth of the original 13 states, Virginia, known as The Old Dominion, was admitted to the Union in 1788. Today, the state's central place in American history is celebrated in its tourism industry and seen in its historic landmarks and institutions of higher education.

Schools in Virginia Top in the US
Ranked sixth in the Smartest State Award by Morgan Quitno Press, Virginia schools are among the nation's best. Five University of Virginia schools were included in the top 50 in U.S. News & World Report's 2010 edition of America's Best Graduate Schools. Higher education is part of the state's rich history, with Williamsburg's College of William and Mary, second in age only to Harvard, as Virginia's oldest post-secondary institution. The University of Virginia, founded by Thomas Jefferson, remains the Number 2 best public university, according to U.S. News and World Report's 2009 edition rankings.

What Are Virginia's Best Jobs?
Virginia's driving industries include:
  •   Agriculture
  •   Tourism
  •   Coal mining
  •   Lumber
  •   Shipbuilding
  •   Federal government
  •   Technology

Construction and wholesale trades, education professions, finance and insurance services, and health care also figure prominently in Virginia's occupational profile.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Virginia's highest-paying job markets are found in the following sectors, which pay over $100,000 annually:
  •   Physicians and surgeons
  •   Computer/information systems managers, software engineers
  •   Marketing managers
  •   Engineering, legal and political science professionals
  •   Scientists
  •   Petroleum managers
  •   General and operations managers
  •   Mathematicians
  •   Financial managers
  •   Airline pilots
  •   Aerospace engineers

The highest-paying job markets can be found in Fairfax County--whose cities include Alexandria, Falls Church and Fairfax--which has emerged as the metropolitan area's private sector job leader.
Campus Programs

  • DeVry University

     Campus Locations: Arlington, Chesapeake, Manassas, McLean

    DeVry University provides quality education that employers respect, and is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (ncahlc.org), the same organization that accredits many other well-known public and private schools.

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  • University of Phoenix

     Campus Locations: Reston, Richmond

    With convenient class locations as well as online learning, University of Phoenix makes quality higher education highly accessible. Whether you’re seeking an associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree, we can help you reach your goal while you work—and much sooner than you might expect.

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  • The Art Institutes

     Campus Locations: Arlington

    The Art Institutes system of schools is a leading educator of students in the creative and applied arts, including design, media, fashion, and culinary programs. Every program of study offered to you is regularly reviewed by industry leaders, advisors, and employers for relevance in the marketplace. Changes are made, if necessary, to integrate subject matter into the curriculum so that our degree programs reflect the way things are done in the real world of work. Programs listed are not offered at all locations.

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  • DeVry University's Keller Graduate School of Management

     Campus Locations: Arlington, Chesapeake, McLean

    A degree from DeVry University’s Keller Graduate School of Management gives you the credibility to succeed in your career, whether you are just starting out, already in the work force or contemplating a career change. For more than 34 years, Keller has delivered relevant, practical graduate management education that has helped thousands of alumni transform their skills and sharpen their competitive edge.

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  • Westwood College

     Campus Locations: Annandale, Arlington

    Westwood College isn’t your typical institution of higher learning. With our career-focused education, students can earn a bachelor’s degree in just three years and some associate degrees in as little as 20 months

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  • Argosy University

     Campus Locations: Arlington

    At Argosy University/Washington DC we prepare individuals for careers that make a difference, whether in business, education, or psychology. Learn how you can make a difference in your life, and the lives of others.

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  • Sanford-Brown College

     Campus Locations: Vienna

    Prepare Yourself for Success. If you're interested in a school that can prepare you for the working world, come to Sanford-Brown College.For over 135 years, Sanford-Brown has been providing students with the hands-on skills employers are looking for. Complete programs in the areas of Technology, Business, and Healthcare in as little as 9 months.

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  • Strayer University

     Campus Locations: Alexandria, Arlington, Ashburn, Chesapeake, Fredericksburg, Glen Allen, Manassas, Midlothian, Newport News, Virginia Beach, Woodbridge

    Get the right foundation for your future with a degree from Strayer University. Evening, weekend and online classes are all available to meet the needs of busy adults.

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  • South University - Campus

     Campus Locations: Glen Allen

    Make the most of your potential with a quality education from South University. Earn your degree online, on your own timetable, or at one of our five convenient campus locations.

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  • ITT Technical Institute

     Campus Locations: Chantilly, Norfolk, Richmond, Springfield, Springfield

    With over 100 campuses nationwide and online programs offered as well, the ITT Technical Institutes may have a program that is convenient for you. ITT Tech is dedicated to teaching technology.

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  • Advanced Technology Institute

     Campus Locations: Virginia Beach

    If you’re good with your hands and like putting things together, Advanced Technology Institute can train you for a rewarding career.

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  • Culinary Institute of Virginia

     Campus Locations: Norfolk

    Love to cook? Turn your passion into a career at the Culinary Institute of Virginia. Earn your Associate of Applied Science Degree in Culinary Science in less than 2 years.

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  • Everest Institute

     Campus Locations: Chesapeake, Newport News

    Take your career to a whole new level with training from Everest Institute. Programs are available in business, healthcare, or legal studies.

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  • Medical Careers Institute

     Campus Locations: Manassas, Manassas, Newport News, Newport News, Richmond, Richmond, Richmond, Richmond, Roanoke, Roanoke, Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach

    A degree from Medical Careers Institute prepares you for success in healthcare. Choose between day and evening classes taught in MCI's state-of-the-art teaching labs.

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  • National College

     Campus Locations: Bluefield, Charlottesville, Danville, Harrisonburg, Lynchburg, Martinsville, Salem

    National College can prepare you for better career and a brighter future. Study with professional instructors and get the real-world skills it takes to succeed.

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  • Potomac College

     Campus Locations: Herndon

    Attention working adults: At Potomac College you can advance your career (and your life) in just 18 months. Earn your degree in Management or Information Systems.

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  • Virginia Career Institute

     Campus Locations: Richmond, Virginia Beach

    Improve your life with an education from Virginia Career Institute. Our hands-on training programs are designed to help you become job ready in as few as eight months.

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  • Virginia School of Massage

     Campus Locations: Charlottesville

    The Virginia School of Massage can train you for a fulfilling new career in the fields of Massage Therapy and Skin Care. Day and evening classes are available.

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  • Miller-Motte Technical College

     Campus Locations: Lynchburg

    Miller-Motte Technical College can give you the training you need to reach the next level of career success. Programs in massage, healthcare, computers and more.

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  • National Massage Therapy Institute

     Campus Locations: Falls Church

    Become a professional massage therapist in as little as seven months. The National Massage Therapy Institute (NMTI) can give you the hands-on training you need to enter this rewarding field.

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Virginia Metro Areas
Virginia Facts & Stats
State Website: http://www.virginia.gov

Admission to Statehood: June 25, 1788 (10th)

Area: 42,769 mi2 (35th)

Capital: Richmond

Population (as of 2000): 7,078,515 (12th)

Economy: Agriculture: Cattle, poultry, dairy products, tobacco, hogs, soybeans; Industry: Transportation equipment, textiles, food processing, printing, electric equipment, chemicals.

Largest City: Virginia Beach

Note on Cities: Since a state constitutional change in 1871, all cities in Virginia are independent cities and they are not legally located in any county. The United States Office of Management and Budget considers these independent cities to be county-equivalents for the purpose of defining Metropolitan Statistical Areas in Virginia.

Bird: Cardinal

Dance: Square Dance

Dog: American fox hound

Fossil: Chesapecten Jeffersonius, named for Thomas Jefferson and Chesapeake Bay.

Flower: American dogwood (Cornus Florida)

Highest Point: Mt. Rogers; 5,729 feet, 19th

Lowest Point: Atlantic coast; sea level, 3rd

Major Rivers: James River, Rappahannock River, Potomac River, Shenandoah River

Major Lakes: Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Gathright Dam (Lake Moomaw), John H. Kerr Reservoir, John W. Flannagan Reservoir, Pound Lake, Philpott Lake

Motto: Sic Semper Tyrannis, or "Thus Always to Tyrants"

Nicknames: "Old Dominion"

Origin of Name: Named for England's "Virgin Queen," Elizabeth I

Presidential Birthplace: * George Washington, 1789-1797 (1st)
* Born: February 22, 1732, in Westmoreland County, Virginia
* Thomas Jefferson, 1801-1809 (3rd)
* Born: April 13, 1743, in Shadwell, Virginia
* James Madison, 1809-1817 (4th)
* Born: March 16, 1751, in Port Conway, Virginia
* James Monroe, 1817-1825 (5th)
* Born: April 28, 1758, in Westmoreland County, Virginia
* Willian Henry Harrison, 1841 (9th)
* Born: February 9, 1773, in Berkeley, Virginia
* John Tyler, 1841-1845 (10th)
* Born: March 29, 1790, in Greenway, Virginia
* Zachary Taylor, 1849-1850 (12th)
* Born: November 24, 1784, near Barboursville, Virginia
* Woodrow Wilson, 1913-1921 (28th)
* Born: December 28, 1856, in Staunton, Virginia

Shell: Oyster (Crassostraea Virginica)

Song: (Crassostraea virginica)

Major Sports Teams: None! due to close proximity of Washington, D.C. and the lack of any dominant city or market within the state.

Tree: Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida)
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