TOP 8 Public Universities In Virginia

Attending public colleges or universities is the most affordable option for students who want to study abroad or further their education anywhere.

This narrative is no different in a state like Virginia only that, aside from the affordability of these public institutions, the high rankings and accreditation that follow are part of the things that attract prospective students to apply.

Little wonder why recent data showed that approximately 375,841 students in the last few years have applied and got accepted into public universities in Virginia – a double figure to the 145,867 students enrolled into private universities within the same sessions of study.

It is primarily the federal funding provided to these Public colleges and universities that makes them much more affordable.

We have reviewed some of the best public universities in Virginia that offer a wide variety of academic programs, diverse student bodies, and prestigious research opportunities.

Best Public Universities in Virginia to Consider

Being one of the USA’s most elegant states, Virginia offers a diverse range of education institutions where students from all over the world can study various courses.

Among the 39 public Virginia colleges and universities that accept hundreds of thousands of students to study, here is our top recommendation:

The best Public college in Virginia has to be the University of Virginia. It has various academic programs, diverse student bodies, and prestigious research opportunities without compromising affordable fees.

However, other public institutions like George Mason University, Virginia Commonwealth University, Old Dominion University, James Madison University, and Radford University within the state are worthy alternatives for both domestic and international students.

Read on for complete detail about these institutions.

1. University of Virginia

• Tuition fee: $44,262 and $68,290 for Bachelor and Masters, respectively
• University of Virginia Admission Requirement Page 
• University of Virginia Tuition Details

The University of Virginia is arguably the best public institution in Virginia that conducts undergraduate, postgraduate, and professional degree courses in various domains. It was established in 1819 by Thomas Jefferson.

With a graduation rate of 94 percent, the public research institution is home to the Academic Village, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and cracks the rooftop of the Virginia universities list.

Students aspiring to enroll in this University should have at least a 1350 score on SAT, 95 on the ACT, 90 on TOEFL, and seven on is IELTS.

It is one of the best public universities in Virginia to consider.

2. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

• Tuition fee: $13691 and $32835 for In-State and Out-of-State Tuition, respectively.
• Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Admission Requirement Page 
• Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Tuition Details

Located in the Blacksburg region of Virginia, United States, the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University has a graduation rate of 86 percent, and University offers programs as a public institution

Students are provided degree- or certificate-specific coursework to prepare them for their careers ahead. The school also entertains test score waiver that requires qualification, making the University one of the easiest to enroll.

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University is an accredited school that allows enrollees to qualify for federal student aid programs such as the Pell Grant. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State.

This is another excellent option if you are looking to study at a public university in Virginia, primarily for affordability purposes.

3. Virginia Commonwealth University         

• Tuition fee: In-State Tuition is $12,094
• Virginia Commonwealth University Admission Requirement Page 
• Virginia Commonwealth University Tuition Details

Virginia Commonwealth University is an Open Research institution known to be among the most preferred universities in the state, especially for students hailing from foreign countries.

Opened in 1838, this University offers excellent arts, science, engineering, and healthcare courses, among others.

Programs offered at this public institution include bachelor, Master, and Ph.D. with an annual tuition fee of $37,588, $40,282, and $2,000 for Undergraduate, Master, and Ph.D., respectively.

The admission Requirements for Virginia Commonwealth University are a 1330 score on SAT, 29 on the ACT, 550 for paper-based TOEFL (80 for internet), and 6.5 in IELTS.

4. College of William and Mary

• Tuition fee: $23,628 or $46,854 for In-State or Out-of-State Tuition
• College of William and Mary Admission Requirement Page 
• College of William and Mary Tuition Details

Based in Williamsburg, VA. Students at the College of William and Mary are expected to pay $23,628 or $46,854 for In-State or Out-of-State Tuition.

Here, students can apply and qualify for federal financial aid such as grants and fully funded scholarships. The college of William and Mary offers academically rigorous.

The public university is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and provides enrollees with academic and technical programs.

5. James Madison University

• Tuition fee: $12,206 and $29,106 for in-state and Out-of-State Tuition, respectively
• James Madison University Admission Requirement Page 
• James Madison University Tuition Details

James Madison University campus is located in Harrisonburg. It is a famous public University in Virginia with a graduation rate of 84 percent.

The institution offers both academic and technical programs, and part of the requirement is for applicants to submit test scores, depending on the course being applied for.

The University also offers tutoring and career services at reasonable tuition fees. It is one of the most affordable public Universities in Virginia, as students can apply for programs wherein the school funds their education with federal aid programs.

James Madison University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and has maintained a strong reputation for excellent education quality.

6. George Mason University

• Tuition fee: $12,564 and $36,024 for In-State Tuition and Out-of-State Tuition, respectively.
• George Mason University Admission Requirement Page 
• George Mason University Tuition Details

George Mason University is another public university that offers up to 272 programs, and students here receive financial aid.

Some programs offered at George Mason University do not require that enrollees submit test scores, but all admission processing is carried out at the admission department of the University.

The school has a graduation rate of 71 percent and appears to be competitive, especially for international students.

7. Virginia Military Institute

• Tuition fee: $19,118 and $45,962 for In-State and Out-of-State Tuition, respectively.
• Virginia Military Institute Requirement Page 
• Virginia Military Institute Tuition Details

Situated in Lexington, Virginia Military Institute is another great public institution that offers academic and technical programs to help applicants reach their educational goals in the military landscape.

It is an easy-to-apply university, given the presence of a waiver. Virginia Military Insititute usually funds its education with federal aid programs, and it has received accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

8. Christopher Newport University

• Tuition fee: $14,924 and $27,790 for In-state and Out-of-State Tuition, respectively
• Christopher Newport University Admission Requirement Page 
• Christopher Newport University Tuition Details

There is a waiver for standardized test scores in Christopher Newport University for some applicants who manage quality. This is another public university you can consider, especially if you want a seamless application process.

The school is also very affordable because, despite the tuition fees quoted, it often pays its students’ fees through the endorsement of financial aid.

Christopher Newport University is always included in the list when mentioning the best schools operating in Virginia. The school offers courses with experts in diverse disciplines. The time range for obtaining a degree or certificate is from as low as a few months to as long as seven years.

Still, it is a great place to be if you want to study at a state-owned university based in Virginia, the United States.

How Many Public Universities are in Virginia?

The total number of public universities in Virginia is 39. Through these 39 colleges, the state enrolls more than 300,000 students every academic year

Are all Public Universities in Virginia the cheapest?

It may surprise you that not all Virginia public universities are the most affordable options compared to a few private ones. There are surely cheap universities in Virginia; some are private, while others are state-owned.

Examples of the most affordable universities to consider in Virginia include Old Dominion University, James Madison University, and Radford University.

Some institutions like Longwood University,  Virginia University of Lynchburg, and even the University of Mary Washington offer affordable tuition for international students.

What is Virginia State University Known For?

Virginia State University is one of the popular (and the nation’s first) state-supported HBCUs.

While it offers both a college and a normal program, the university has stood out for the past 130 years since it opened its doors by accepting a diverse population of lifelong learners at an affordable tuition fee.

It’s a Wrap

As we draw the curtain on this review of the best public universities in Virginia, it is essential to note that Public and private colleges and universities operate under different business models in the state.

For instance, Virginia Public universities are owned by the state and receive state and federal funding to operate, meaning that the cost of a bachelor’s degree will often be lower than the equivalent cost at a private university.

Also, you can expect to be offered diverse courses, influential professors, and an excellent return on your investment in public universities.

If you need help with watered-down information on applying for any of these public universities in Virginia, feel free to indicate in the comments or send a message to our team. We are happy to help.