
Courtesy of Averett University
Averett University is a private university in Danville, Virginia, with roots dating to 1859. It began as Union Female College, reflecting the limited educational opportunities available to women at the time, and later became Averett College.
The institution subsequently became coeducational and adopted the Averett University name in 2001. Its history helps explain its present mix of traditional undergraduate study and programs intended for working adults. Applicants comparing older accounts of "Averett College" with current materials should use the university's current catalog and policies for enrollment decisions.
Averett offers undergraduate and graduate study across the liberal arts, professional fields, and health-related disciplines. Its program offerings include business, education, nursing, criminal justice, psychology, aviation, and the arts and sciences.
The distinction between a subject of interest and an available credential matters. For example, a student seeking nursing licensure, teacher certification, or professional flight training should check the specific degree pathway, admission requirements, clinical or flight components, and additional charges - not simply whether the subject appears in a program directory. Adult-oriented and online options may follow different calendars and course formats from traditional campus programs. The current academic catalog is the appropriate place to confirm degree requirements, course availability, and which programs can be completed at a distance.
Averett's main campus is in Danville, in southern Virginia near the North Carolina border. Danville is a small city rather than a major metropolitan campus setting, so students should consider how they will reach classes, work, clinical placements, or other off-campus activities.
The university has facilities beyond its historic main-campus area, making the location of a particular class or activity worth checking. First-year students may park a car on campus, and commuting is a significant part of the student experience. Piedmont Triad International Airport in North Carolina is a regional air-travel option, but reaching it generally requires ground transportation.
Averett describes its educational purpose in terms of preparing students for careers and lives of service through liberal arts and professional education. Its history includes Baptist roots; prospective students should distinguish that heritage from any particular religious participation requirement in a current program.
Mission statements describe institutional priorities, not measured results for every student. Applicants can assess how those priorities appear in practice by examining their intended program's curriculum, experiential requirements, advising arrangements, and opportunities for community engagement.
Name of the institution
Averett UniversityLevel of institution
Four or more yearsControl of institution
PrivateSetting type
Town: DistantInstitutional Category
Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or aboveInstitution size category
1,000 - 4,999Religious affiliation
Protestant (Baptist General Association of Virginia)School type
Upper-level higher education institution with graduate programsMain student body
CoeducationalCalendar system
SemestersFoundation year
1859Averett University is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation confirms that the school meets quality standards and is required for students to receive federal financial aid.
Associate's degree
Bachelor's degree
Postbaccalaureate certificate
Master's degree
Post-master's certificateData last updated on November 5, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.