How does FindMySchool.ai work?

FindMySchool.ai analyzes over 6,400 U.S. colleges using verified federal data from the College Scorecard and IPEDS. Students answer a short questionnaire about their academics, personal interests, goals, location preferences, and budget. Our AI then generates a personalized report with ranked school recommendations, financial fit estimates, admissions factor analysis, and career outcome data.

How much does FindMySchool.ai cost?

FindMySchool.ai provides the same quality of college guidance that private counselors charge $5,000–$15,000 for — starting at just $29 per report.

What data sources does FindMySchool.ai use?

FindMySchool.ai uses U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard data, IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System), Common Data Set submissions from individual colleges, and Clery Act campus safety statistics. All data is from official federal and institutional sources.

How is FindMySchool.ai different from College Confidential or Niche?

Unlike ranking sites or review platforms, FindMySchool.ai builds a personalized match for each student using their interests, goals, and priorities — not generic rankings. Recommendations include financial fit estimates by family income, admissions factor importance (from each school's Common Data Set), career outcome data by intended major, and AI-generated counselor-quality profiles explaining why each school fits that specific student.

What is the Common Data Set?

The Common Data Set (CDS) is a standardized survey that U.S. colleges complete annually, reporting admissions factors, test score ranges, cost information, graduation rates, and more. FindMySchool.ai uses CDS Section C7 data to identify which admissions factors each college rates as 'Very Important' — including whether demonstrated interest affects admissions decisions.

Best Colleges in Virginia (2026)

168 colleges ranked by graduate earnings, acceptance rates, and outcomes — powered by federal data from the U.S. Department of Education.

168

Colleges

$44,560

Avg Earnings (10yr)

$18,160

Avg Net Price

71%

Avg Admit Rate

55%

Avg Grad Rate

State Overview

Virginia is home to 168 colleges and universities, ranging from research universities to community colleges. Washington and Lee University leads the state in graduate earnings, with state alumni earning $44,560 on average ten years after enrollment. Whether you're looking for a flagship research university, a liberal arts college, or a career-focused program, Virginia offers diverse options across all price points.

Quick Facts — Virginia Colleges

Highest Earning

Washington and Lee University

$94,810median earnings

Most Selective

Riverside College of Health Careers

13%acceptance rate

Best Grad Rate

University of Virginia-Main Campus

95%6-yr grad rate

Most Affordable

Virginia Beach City Public Schools School of Practical Nursing

$1,317avg net price

Top 10 Colleges in Virginia by Graduate Earnings

Ranked by median earnings 10 years after enrollment. Public and private nonprofit only.

Washington and Lee University

Lexington·Private Nonprofit

Admit

14%

Net Price

$23,781

Grad Rate

94%

Earnings

$94,810

University of Virginia-Main Campus

Charlottesville·Public

Admit

17%

Net Price

$21,565

Grad Rate

95%

Earnings

$86,863

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Blacksburg·Public

Admit

55%

Net Price

$24,953

Grad Rate

86%

Earnings

$81,698

Sentara College of Health Sciences

Chesapeake·Private Nonprofit

Admit

N/A

Net Price

N/A

Grad Rate

N/A

Earnings

$77,821

Virginia Military Institute

Lexington·Public

Admit

71%

Net Price

$17,113

Grad Rate

79%

Earnings

$77,369

Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing

Richmond·Private Nonprofit

Admit

N/A

Net Price

N/A

Grad Rate

N/A

Earnings

$77,014

George Mason University

Fairfax·Public

Admit

87%

Net Price

$17,915

Grad Rate

69%

Earnings

$76,343

University of Richmond

University of Richmond·Private Nonprofit

Admit

22%

Net Price

$31,309

Grad Rate

86%

Earnings

$76,178

William & Mary

Williamsburg·Public

Admit

34%

Net Price

$19,096

Grad Rate

90%

Earnings

$73,490

Southside College of Health Sciences

Colonial Heights·Private Nonprofit

Admit

N/A

Net Price

N/A

Grad Rate

N/A

Earnings

$71,380

Most Affordable Colleges in Virginia

Lowest average net price after grants and scholarships. Public and private nonprofit only.

#1 Most AffordablePublic

Virginia Beach City Public Schools School of Practical Nursing

Virginia Beach, VA

$1,317/ yr avg net

36% grad rate

#2 Most AffordablePublic

Eastern Shore Community College

Melfa, VA

$2,495/ yr avg net

38% grad rate

#3 Most AffordablePublic

Patrick & Henry Community College

Martinsville, VA

$4,102/ yr avg net

43% grad rate

#4 Most AffordablePublic

Paul D Camp Community College

Franklin, VA

$4,126/ yr avg net

30% grad rate

#5 Most AffordablePublic

Rappahannock Community College

Glenns, VA

$4,343/ yr avg net

43% grad rate

Popular Majors

Compare the best colleges for top fields of study — ranked by graduate earnings nationwide.

Business Administration Accounting Marketing Finance Business International Business Computer Science Computer & Information Science Mechanical Engineering Electrical Engineering Biomedical Engineering Civil Engineering View all majors

Personalized Match

Find your best-fit Virginia college

Get a personalized report based on your interests, goals, and what matters most to you — in minutes.

Find my Virginia college

All Colleges in Virginia

All 168 accredited institutions. Click column headers to sort.

School	City	Type	Admit Rate	Net Price	Grad Rate	Earnings (10yr)
Advanced Technology Institute	Virginia Beach	Private For-Profit	54%	$16,358	76%	$46,342
American Massage & Bodywork Institute	Vienna	Private For-Profit	N/A	$23,031	82%	N/A
American National University	Salem	Private For-Profit	N/A	$18,036	31%	$26,370
Another Level Barbering and Cosmetology School	Petersburg	Private For-Profit	N/A	$7,780	N/A	N/A
Appalachian College of Pharmacy	Oakwood	Private Nonprofit	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Appalachian School of Law	Grundy	Private Nonprofit	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Arizona College of Nursing - Chesapeake	Chesapeake	Private For-Profit	100%	$33,626	N/A	$34,657
Arizona College of Nursing-Falls Church	Falls Church	Private For-Profit	100%	$38,690	N/A	$34,657
Ascent College	Gainesville	Private Nonprofit	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Asher Institute of Hampton	Hampton	Private For-Profit	N/A	$19,018	46%	$18,710
Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute Lafayette-Arlington	Arlington	Private For-Profit	N/A	$33,455	N/A	$23,904
Averett University	Danville	Private Nonprofit	57%	$22,925	46%	$51,516
Avi Career Training	Great Falls	Private For-Profit	N/A	$15,361	89%	$28,615
Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Manassas	Manassas	Private For-Profit	N/A	$27,320	62%	$46,441
Aviation Institute of Maintenance-Norfolk	Norfolk	Private For-Profit	N/A	$23,046	54%	$44,173
Blue Ridge Community College	Weyers Cave	Public	N/A	$13,997	37%	$42,644
Bluefield College - Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine	Blacksburg	Private Nonprofit	N/A	N/A	N/A	$48,896
Bluefield University	Bluefield	Private Nonprofit	59%	$25,573	22%	$48,896
Bon Secours Memorial College of Nursing	Richmond	Private Nonprofit	N/A	N/A	N/A	$77,014
Bon Secours St Mary's Hospital School of Medical Imaging	Richmond	Private Nonprofit	N/A	N/A	N/A	$65,432
Bridgewater College	Bridgewater	Private Nonprofit	92%	$17,800	51%	$53,453
Brightpoint Community College	Chester	Public	N/A	$5,490	39%	$41,223
Bryant & Stratton College-Hampton	Hampton	Private Nonprofit	N/A	N/A	N/A	$32,568
Bryant & Stratton College-Richmond	North Chesterfield	Private Nonprofit	N/A	N/A	N/A	$32,568
Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach	Virginia Beach	Private Nonprofit	N/A	$12,038	26%	$32,568
Cayce/Reilly School of Massage	Virginia Beach	Private Nonprofit	N/A	$17,312	92%	$19,338
Centra College	Lynchburg	Private Nonprofit	100%	N/A	N/A	$60,122
Central School of Practical Nursing	Norfolk	Public	N/A	$8,029	76%	$59,399
Central Virginia Community College	Lynchburg	Public	N/A	$6,928	43%	$36,627
Centura College-Chesapeake	Chesapeake	Private For-Profit	N/A	$26,988	67%	$25,930
Centura College-Newport News	Newport News	Private For-Profit	N/A	$24,842	72%	$25,930
Centura College-Norfolk	Norfolk	Private For-Profit	N/A	$31,032	68%	$25,930
Centura College-Richmond Main	North Chesterfield	Private For-Profit	N/A	$25,920	57%	$25,930
Centura College-Virginia Beach	Virginia Beach	Private For-Profit	N/A	N/A	64%	$25,930
CET-Alexandria	Alexandria	Private Nonprofit	N/A	$20,615	78%	$32,986
Chamberlain University-Virginia	Vienna	Private For-Profit	90%	$33,199	N/A	$92,405
Chester Career College	CHESTER	Private For-Profit	N/A	$24,259	58%	$32,650
Christopher Newport University	Newport News	Public	86%	$23,015	73%	$60,509
Chrysm Institute of Esthetics (The) - Hampton	Hampton	Private For-Profit	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Columbia College	Vienna	Private For-Profit	N/A	$10,171	75%	$22,160
Crown Cutz Academy Bristol	Bristol	Private For-Profit	N/A	$11,149	71%	N/A
Culpeper Cosmetology Training Center	Culpeper	Public	N/A	$14,999	76%	N/A
Danville Community College	Danville	Public	N/A	$6,669	39%	$31,664
Dermal Science International Aesthetics and Nail Academy	Reston	Private For-Profit	N/A	$11,502	91%	N/A
DeVry University-Virginia	Arlington	Private For-Profit	N/A	$36,609	N/A	$45,987
Divine Mercy University	Sterling	Private Nonprofit	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Eastern Mennonite University	Harrisonburg	Private Nonprofit	100%	$24,588	57%	$54,869
Eastern Shore Community College	Melfa	Public	N/A	$2,495	38%	$32,418
Eastern Virginia Career College	Fredericksburg	Private For-Profit	96%	N/A	73%	$37,304
Eastern Virginia Medical School	Norfolk	Public	N/A	N/A	N/A	$54,914
ECPI University	Virginia Beach	Private For-Profit	75%	$22,965	44%	$42,837
ECPI University - Roanoke	Roanoke	Private For-Profit	N/A	N/A	N/A	$42,837
ECPI University-Culinary Institute of Virginia	Norfolk	Private For-Profit	N/A	N/A	N/A	$42,837
ECPI University-Innsbrook	Glen Allen	Private For-Profit	N/A	N/A	N/A	$42,837
ECPI University-Manassas	Manassas	Private For-Profit	N/A	N/A	N/A	$42,837
ECPI University-Newport News	Newport News	Private For-Profit	N/A	N/A	N/A	$42,837
ECPI University-Richmond South	Richmond	Private For-Profit	N/A	N/A	N/A	$42,837
ECPI University-Richmond West	Richmond	Private For-Profit	N/A	N/A	N/A	$42,837
ECPI University-Virginia Beach Health Sciences	Virginia Beach	Private For-Profit	N/A	N/A	N/A	$42,837
Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine	Blacksburg	Private Nonprofit	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Emory & Henry University	Emory	Private Nonprofit	84%	$19,061	55%	$47,385
Empire Beauty School-Midlothian	Midlothian	Private For-Profit	N/A	$24,203	41%	$23,921
Empire Beauty School-Newport News	Newport News	Private For-Profit	N/A	$23,036	42%	$23,921
Empire Beauty School-Richmond	Richmond	Private For-Profit	N/A	$23,488	42%	$23,921
Empire Beauty School-Virginia Beach	Virginia Beach	Private For-Profit	N/A	$23,554	42%	$24,407
Fairfax University of America	Fairfax	Private Nonprofit	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Ferrum College	Ferrum	Private Nonprofit	89%	$20,082	30%	$44,296
Fortis College-Norfolk	Norfolk	Private For-Profit	N/A	$24,764	31%	$32,754
Fortis College-Richmond	Richmond	Private For-Profit	N/A	$24,635	43%	$32,754
Galen Health Institutes-Richmond	Richmond	Private For-Profit	N/A	$23,843	N/A	$61,480
Galen Health Institutes-Roanoke	Roanoke	Private For-Profit	N/A	$26,945	N/A	$61,480
George Mason University	Fairfax	Public	87%	$17,915	69%	$76,343
Germanna Community College	Locust Grove	Public	N/A	$5,541	42%	$39,644
Hampden-Sydney College	Hampden-Sydney	Private Nonprofit	41%	$22,400	64%	$67,640
Hampton University	Hampton	Private Nonprofit	62%	$25,319	56%	$59,159
Henrico County-Saint Marys Hospital School of Practical Nursing	Richmond	Public	70%	N/A	N/A	$56,618
Hollins University	Roanoke	Private Nonprofit	68%	$20,896	67%	$40,075
Institute of Advanced Medical Esthetics	Ashland	Private For-Profit	N/A	$10,219	N/A	$31,213
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College	Richmond	Public	N/A	$5,168	31%	$39,529
James Madison University	Harrisonburg	Public	72%	$23,322	80%	$69,954
Jazz Barber and Hairstyling Academy	Petersburg	Private For-Profit	N/A	$14,175	N/A	N/A
Laurel Ridge Community College	Middletown	Public	N/A	$6,013	42%	$41,000
Liberty University	Lynchburg	Private Nonprofit	99%	$29,357	64%	$44,813
Life Pacific University-Virginia	Christiansburg	Private Nonprofit	N/A	N/A	N/A	$43,299
Longwood University	Farmville	Public	90%	$19,066	61%	$52,347
Lotus Professional College	Richmond	Private For-Profit	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Luckes Beauty Academy LLC	Newport News	Private For-Profit	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Mary Baldwin University	Staunton	Private Nonprofit	N/A	$12,756	43%	$44,427
Marymount University	Arlington	Private Nonprofit	93%	$29,137	56%	$67,516
Medical Solutions Academy	Danville	Private For-Profit	N/A	$18,093	94%	N/A
Mountain Empire Community College	Big Stone Gap	Public	N/A	$8,852	51%	$32,622
Mountain Gateway Community College	Clifton Forge	Public	N/A	$4,861	42%	$34,293
New River Community College	Dublin	Public	N/A	$6,279	47%	$40,025
Norfolk State University	Norfolk	Public	88%	$15,282	36%	$44,666
Northern Virginia Community College	Annandale	Public	N/A	$9,919	35%	$53,557
Northern Virginia School of Therapeutic Massage	Falls Church	Private For-Profit	N/A	N/A	N/A	$44,892
Old Dominion University	Norfolk	Public	90%	$14,638	45%	$54,914
Pardee RAND Graduate School - Virginia	Arlington	Private Nonprofit	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Patrick & Henry Community College	Martinsville	Public	N/A	$4,102	43%	$33,323
Patrick Henry College	Purcellville	Private Nonprofit	77%	N/A	71%	N/A
Paul D Camp Community College	Franklin	Public	N/A	$4,126	30%	$36,031
Paul Mitchell the School-Roanoke	Roanoke	Private For-Profit	N/A	$20,318	51%	$19,217
Paul Mitchell the School-Tysons Corner	McLean	Private For-Profit	N/A	N/A	74%	$34,949
Paul Mitchell the School-Woodbridge	Woodbridge	Private For-Profit	N/A	N/A	70%	$34,949
Piedmont Virginia Community College	Charlottesville	Public	N/A	$5,963	37%	$40,752
Radford University	Radford	Public	90%	$14,578	49%	$53,739
Randolph College	Lynchburg	Private Nonprofit	94%	$15,921	49%	$53,409
Randolph-Macon College	Ashland	Private Nonprofit	87%	$27,866	72%	$58,448
Rappahannock Community College	Glenns	Public	N/A	$4,343	43%	$36,121
Regent University	Virginia Beach	Private Nonprofit	38%	$19,923	56%	$44,498
Richard Bland College	South Prince George	Public	89%	$13,045	13%	$41,452
Riverside College of Health Careers	Newport News	Private Nonprofit	13%	$20,744	N/A	$66,072
Roanoke College	Salem	Private Nonprofit	83%	$24,503	67%	$58,047
Rudy & Kelly Academy A Paul Mitchell Partner School	Virginia Beach	Private For-Profit	N/A	$18,024	68%	$24,176
Sentara College of Health Sciences	Chesapeake	Private Nonprofit	N/A	N/A	N/A	$77,821
Shenandoah University	Winchester	Private Nonprofit	77%	$30,298	69%	$58,433
South University-Richmond	Glen Allen	Private For-Profit	N/A	$30,442	29%	$34,421
South University-Virginia Beach	Virginia Beach	Private For-Profit	N/A	$27,843	12%	$34,421
Southern Virginia University	Buena Vista	Private Nonprofit	96%	$22,213	36%	$50,002
Southside College of Health Sciences	Colonial Heights	Private Nonprofit	N/A	N/A	N/A	$71,380
Southside Virginia Community College	Alberta	Public	N/A	$5,338	38%	$32,371
Southwest Virginia Community College	Cedar Bluff	Public	N/A	$6,005	45%	$34,221
Sovah School of Health Professions	Danville	Private For-Profit	N/A	N/A	N/A	$69,924
Standard Healthcare Services-College of Nursing	Falls Church	Private For-Profit	28%	$35,726	63%	N/A
Staunton School of Cosmetology	Staunton	Private For-Profit	N/A	$9,504	66%	$22,660
Strayer University-Alexandria Campus	Alexandria	Private For-Profit	N/A	N/A	N/A	$40,092
Strayer University-Chesterfield Campus	Midlothian	Private For-Profit	N/A	N/A	N/A	$40,092
Strayer University-Fredericksburg Campus	Fredericksburg	Private For-Profit	N/A	N/A	N/A	$40,092
Strayer University-Loudoun Campus	Ashburn	Private For-Profit	N/A	N/A	N/A	$40,092
Strayer University-Newport News Campus	Newport News	Private For-Profit	N/A	N/A	N/A	$40,092
Strayer University-Virginia	Arlington	Private For-Profit	N/A	$19,578	27%	$40,092
Strayer University-Virginia Beach Campus	Virginia Beach	Private For-Profit	N/A	N/A	N/A	$40,092
Strayer University-Woodbridge Campus	Woodbridge	Private For-Profit	N/A	N/A	N/A	$40,092
Sweet Briar College	Sweet Briar	Private Nonprofit	76%	$17,758	50%	$51,943
Sylvain Melloul International Hair Academy	Lynchburg	Private For-Profit	N/A	N/A	46%	$17,106
The Chrysm Institute of Esthetics	Virginia Beach	Private For-Profit	N/A	$21,552	87%	N/A
The Esthetic Institute	Vienna	Private For-Profit	N/A	$22,147	85%	N/A
Tidewater Community College	Norfolk	Public	N/A	$11,762	31%	$38,349
Tidewater Tech - Priority Automotive Tidewater Tech Learning Center	Chesapeake	Private For-Profit	N/A	N/A	N/A	$31,657
Tidewater Tech-East Little Creek	Norfolk	Private For-Profit	N/A	N/A	N/A	$31,657
Tidewater Tech-Trades	Norfolk	Private For-Profit	N/A	$26,366	73%	$31,657
Tomorrow's Image Barber And Beauty Academy of Virginia	Newport News	Private For-Profit	N/A	$12,093	46%	N/A
Union Presbyterian Seminary	Richmond	Private Nonprofit	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
University of Lynchburg	Lynchburg	Private Nonprofit	43%	$22,235	60%	$56,380
University of Management and Technology	Arlington	Private For-Profit	N/A	N/A	63%	$68,530
University of Mary Washington	Fredericksburg	Public	80%	$20,667	67%	$60,613
University of Richmond	University of Richmond	Private Nonprofit	22%	$31,309	86%	$76,178
University of the Potomac-VA Campus	FALLS CHURCH	Private For-Profit	N/A	N/A	55%	$34,961
University of Virginia-Main Campus	Charlottesville	Public	17%	$21,565	95%	$86,863
University of Virginia's College at Wise	Wise	Public	29%	$9,210	48%	$45,325
Virginia Barber School	Richmond	Private For-Profit	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Virginia Beach City Public Schools School of Practical Nursing	Virginia Beach	Public	N/A	$1,317	36%	N/A
Virginia Beach Theological Seminary	Virginia Beach	Private Nonprofit	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Virginia Commonwealth University	Richmond	Public	93%	$23,433	64%	$58,128
Virginia Highlands Community College	Abingdon	Public	N/A	$5,375	41%	$32,681
Virginia Military Institute	Lexington	Public	71%	$17,113	79%	$77,369
Virginia Peninsula Community College	Hampton	Public	N/A	$7,012	34%	$37,996
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University	Blacksburg	Public	55%	$24,953	86%	$81,698
Virginia State University	Petersburg	Public	89%	$15,840	40%	$45,543
Virginia Union University	Richmond	Private Nonprofit	98%	$13,235	39%	$38,275
Virginia University of Integrative Medicine	Vienna	Private Nonprofit	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Virginia University of Lynchburg	Lynchburg	Private Nonprofit	N/A	$21,253	33%	$28,396
Virginia Wesleyan University	Virginia Beach	Private Nonprofit	73%	$19,676	46%	$50,074
Virginia Western Community College	Roanoke	Public	N/A	$4,966	40%	$38,787
Washington and Lee University	Lexington	Private Nonprofit	14%	$23,781	94%	$94,810
Washington University of Science and Technology	Alexandria	Private For-Profit	7%	N/A	60%	N/A
William & Mary	Williamsburg	Public	34%	$19,096	90%	$73,490
Wytheville Community College	Wytheville	Public	N/A	$4,622	46%	$34,303

Showing 168 of 168 schools