Best
Colleges in Virginia Beach in 2027

Business Administration

Studying a business administration program in Virginia Beach, VA combines practical training with courses such as accounting, economics, marketing, management, business law, finance, and organizational behavior. Students develop communication, analytical, and leadership skills through projects and internships. Popular local options include Regent University, Virginia Wesleyan University, and Tidewater Community College, which offers programs at its Virginia Beach campus. Graduates may pursue roles as administrative coordinators, marketing specialists, sales representatives, human resources assistants, or managers.

Psychology

Studying psychology in Virginia Beach, Virginia, lets students combine coursework with coastal living and access to excellent local universities. Regent University and Virginia Wesleyan University are popular choices offering psychology study. Typical courses include introductory psychology, research methods, statistics, developmental psychology, social psychology, abnormal psychology, and counseling. Depending on degree level, graduates may pursue roles such as behavioral health technician, case manager, human services specialist, market researcher, or, with advanced education, counselor or psychologist positions.

Computer Science

Studying computer science in Virginia Beach, Virginia offers access to technology employers and coastal research. Students typically study programming, algorithms, data structures, databases, operating systems, cybersecurity, software engineering, and mathematics. Regent University and Virginia Wesleyan University offer computer science study, while Tidewater Community College supports transfer-focused preparation. Graduates commonly pursue software developer, systems analyst, cybersecurity specialist, database administrator, and IT support roles in local businesses, government, healthcare, and defense industries across the Hampton Roads region.

Counseling

Studying a counseling program in Virginia Beach, VA can prepare you to support people through challenges. Coursework includes counseling theories, human development, ethics, assessment, group counseling, multicultural practice, and supervised clinical work. Regent University and South University's Virginia Beach campus offer counseling-related degree options. Graduates may pursue roles such as licensed professional counselor, mental health therapist, school counselor, substance use counselor, or community services specialist, depending on degree level and state licensure requirements in Virginia.

Nursing

Studying nursing in Virginia Beach, VA, combines classroom learning with clinical practice in healthcare settings. Courses include anatomy and physiology, microbiology, pharmacology, nutrition, health assessment, and nursing fundamentals, followed by adult, pediatric, and mental-health care. Programs may award practical-nursing certificates, associate degrees, or bachelor's degrees. Graduates work as licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, or patient-care coordinators in hospitals, clinics, and long-term-care facilities. Virginia Beach options include Sentara College of Health Sciences and Tidewater Community College.

Best Colleges in Virginia Beach, VA Ranking Summary & Conclusions

• The median total cost of studying is $17,743, compared with $28,250 at schools in the top 10% of the ranking.
• Financial aid is received by an average of 100% of students across the schools, versus 60% at top-10% schools.
• The average acceptance rate is 60%. Schools receive an average of 3,606.4 applicants, compared with 7,180.4 at top-10% schools. The median applicant counts are 1,576 men and 2,232 women.
• Average test scores are 1,180 on the SAT and 27.5 on the ACT.
• The average number of enrolled students is 2,406; average enrollment figures are 229.75 men and 310.25 women.
• The average graduation rate is 42%, compared with 68% at top-10% schools. Median graduation rates are 34% for men and 48.5% for women.
• Six institutions offer associate's degrees, five offer bachelor's degrees, five offer master's degrees, and one offers a doctor's degree.
• Six schools are coeducational; there are zero schools for men and zero schools for women.
• When choosing a college, consider how costs and financial aid fit your circumstances, and weigh admissions selectivity, test scores, enrollment, graduation outcomes, degree offerings, and school type against your priorities. The overall figures differ from those of top-10% schools, so compare the factors most important to your goals.

How much does studying at a college in Virginia Beach, VA cost?

The average reported total cost of studying in Virginia Beach, VA, is about $20,489. Treat this as a broad per-year planning figure, not the full price of an entire degree. Your actual cost will depend on the college, program, living arrangements, and financial aid. For a local comparison, students consider Regent University, Virginia Wesleyan University, and Tidewater Community College; check each school's current estimate for your program.

Available averages put tuition and fees at $22,163.67, room and board at $7,797.33, and books and supplies at $1,210. These are category averages, not necessarily a bill from one school, and they do not add neatly to the reported total. Use the total as a broad benchmark and confirm the college's cost of attendance. That gives you a starting point: compare aid offers, commute from home if practical, and ask about grants or transfer pathways to make a Virginia Beach degree feel affordable.

How long does it take to finish college in Virginia Beach, VA?

Most bachelor's degrees in Virginia Beach, VA, take about four years of full-time study, while an associate degree generally takes two. At local options such as Regent University and Virginia Wesleyan University, your timeline depends on program requirements, course availability, and whether you attend year-round. Nearby Old Dominion University in Norfolk is another choice for Beach-area students.

Completion figures can help set expectations: the supplied averages show a 42% graduation rate overall, with 68% among the top 10% of schools. The reported averages are 38.5% for men and 44.67% for women. Graduation rates describe students completing within a measurement period, not a guarantee of your outcome; advising and steady progress can make the goal feel manageable.

You can potentially graduate faster by:

• Transferring accepted credits or earning credit for prior learning.
• Taking summer courses or a heavier course load.
• Choosing an accelerated program.
• Checking prerequisites and course schedules with an adviser.

Salary

After graduating from college in Virginia Beach, you can expect a median alumni salary of about $43,555. Graduates of top 10% schools have a median salary of about $54,441, offering an encouraging benchmark as you plan your next step.

Virginia Beach students can explore options such as Regent University, Virginia Wesleyan University, and Tidewater Community College. Your earnings will depend on your degree, career field, and experience, so consider how each program connects to the jobs you hope to pursue in the area.

People also ask

How many colleges are in Virginia Beach?

There isn't one definitive number because counts vary depending on whether they include community-college campuses, career schools, and specialized institutions. Virginia Beach has several universities and colleges, along with multiple technical and career-training schools. For a useful comparison, check whether a directory is counting only degree-granting colleges or all postsecondary schools.

What is the main college in Virginia Beach?

Regent University is one of the city's best-known universities and a prominent choice for students seeking undergraduate or graduate study. It is a private Christian university in Virginia Beach. The best fit depends on your goals, though: Tidewater Community College's Virginia Beach campus and Virginia Wesleyan University are also important local options.

Where do college students go in Virginia Beach?

Students can spend time at the Oceanfront for beaches, restaurants, and entertainment, or head to Town Center for shopping and dining. Outdoor options include Mount Trashmore Park and First Landing State Park. The city's spread-out layout means your campus and transportation can shape which places feel most convenient for everyday hangouts.

Top 5 Colleges in the Best Colleges Ranking in Virginia Beach, VA Ranking in 2026-2027

Advanced Technology Institute is a career-focused college that may appeal to Virginia Beach students seeking practical education in technical fields. Its enrollment is 415, with a 79% graduation rate and 54% acceptance rate. Reported total study cost is $13,848, while median alumni salary is $42,963. For a local applicant, these figures offer a compact campus setting and a useful starting point for comparing affordability, completion outcomes, and career potential before choosing a program or planning a move across the area.

Regent University is a larger university option for Virginia Beach area students considering degree study. It enrolls 10,657 students, reports a 57% graduation rate and 38% acceptance rate. Total study cost is $19,950, and median alumni salary is $44,147. Compared with smaller schools nearby, Regent offers a substantially larger student community. Applicants should weigh that scale alongside reported cost, completion rate, admissions selectivity, and earnings measure when deciding whether its university environment suits their career goals and personal educational priorities.

Virginia Wesleyan University is a university option for students in Virginia Beach, VA, who want to compare a smaller enrollment with other local choices. It has 1,978 enrolled students, a 42% graduation rate, and a 73% acceptance rate. Its reported total cost of study is $36,550, while median alumni salary is $40,858. Those figures give applicants a basis for evaluating cost against outcomes. Prospective students should confirm program availability and current expenses as they plan their degree and daily commute.

ECPI University is another college for Virginia Beach area students comparing degree options with career outcomes in mind. The school reports 556 enrolled students, a 42% graduation rate, and a 75% acceptance rate. Total study cost is $17,424, and median alumni salary is $55,652. That salary figure is the highest among these five schools, though it does not guarantee individual earnings. Local applicants can compare programs, schedules, and commuting needs directly with their budget and career plans before enrolling carefully.

Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach provides a college option for students researching degree study in Virginia Beach, VA. Enrollment is 572, the graduation rate is 24%, and the acceptance rate is not available in the supplied data. Reported total cost is $18,062, and median alumni salary is $39,764. Applicants should treat the missing admissions figure as something to verify with the college. Comparing its costs and outcomes with nearby alternatives may help clarify fit, affordability, and plans for completing a credential.