Higher Education

Overview

A Hotbed for Higher Ed

In Northern Virginia, plenty of higher education institutions offer a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs, whether you’re looking to attend a small private college or a large state university.

More than 16 colleges and universities in Northern Virginia representing close to 300,000 students offer strong programs in a range of disciplines – like engineering, nursing, music education and more. Virginia Tech, known for its highly ranked engineering school, also offers strong programs for business, marketing and biomedical sciences. Meanwhile, George Mason University in Fairfax County offers excellent degree programs for psychology, criminal science and more. No matter where your interests lie, Northern Virginia has the perfect school for you. Chart your path to success in NOVA.

Rankings & Stats

#2

Best College Food In America

(Virginia Tech) Niche 2020
#1

Howard University: Top HBCU in the U.S.

Times Higher Education Best Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the U.S. VIEW RANKING HERE
#3

Best College Campuses in America

(Virginia Tech) Niche 2020
#9

Best Colleges in Virginia

(George Mason University) Niche 2020
#10

Top Public University in America

(Virginia Tech) Niche 2020
#20

Best Music Programs in the US

(Shenandoah University) Successful Student 2020
A group of university graduates throwing their graduation caps in the air.
#37

Best Regional Universities in the South

(Marymount University) U.S. News & World Report 2020

Featured Schools

Virginia Tech

In the heart of Blacksburg, Virginia, this public land-grant university enrolls over 34,000 students and offers hundreds of programs for every level of learning – from certifications to doctoral degrees. As a leading research institution known for its top-notch engineering program, Virginia Tech provides students with a comprehensive education.
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George Mason University

This public research university in Fairfax County is home to a large, diverse student population of about 26,000 undergraduates and 11,500 graduate students. In addition to outstanding educational offerings, George Mason also has a successful Division I athletics program across many sports.
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UVA School of Continuing and Professional Studies

UVA SCPS helps working adults finish their degrees and advance their careers through a variety of online and in-person programs, including bachelor’s degree completion programs, professional certificates, a master’s degree in public safety, and other career accelerators.
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Marymount University

Marymount University

Marymount is a private, Catholic university located in Arlington. With an enrollment of about 2,000 undergraduate students and 1,200 graduate students, this small university offers outstanding programs in nursing, business and information technology.
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UVA Darden DC Metro

UVA Darden DC Metro

University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business opened its Arlington location in 2017 at the heart of the Rosslyn district. The new state-of-the-art campus includes tiered and flat classrooms, as well as 40,000 square feet of meeting and event space.
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George Washington University Virginia Science and Technology Campus

George Washington University Virginia Science and Technology Campus

The GW Virginia Science and Technology Campus in Loudoun County is home to more than 20 degree and certificate programs and 17 research labs, centers and institutes. Here, researchers, faculty and students are advancing the frontiers of knowledge in cross-disciplinary STEM-based disciplines.
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Shenandoah University

This private Christian university located in Winchester, Virginia enrolls about 2,000 undergraduate students and 1,700 graduate students. Popular majors include nursing, business, and exercise physiology. In addition, Shenandoah is nationally recognized for its music program.
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