Want to be as well-educated as possible? Then consider going to college in Virginia, which aims to become "the best-educated state by 2030."
As their state government notes, of all the 11.5 million new jobs created since the Great Recession, 99 percent require more education than just a high school diploma. Going to college has never been more important.
And Virginia is taking this reality very seriously. In 2016, the state devoted $316 million to higher education. This led to the lowest tuition increases in the past 15 years, which should help ensure that fewer students graduate with debt—and that those who do have a smaller, more manageable load.
Related: Best Online Schools in Virginia.
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Going to college in the Commonwealth of Virginia, as it's officially known, will not only put you in a strong educational environment, but in a beautiful and historic part of the country. Called the "Mother of Presidents," Virginia has been the backdrop for much of American history: Jamestown, the American Revolution, and the Civil War being obvious examples.
You'll also benefit from proximity to the nation's capital, Washington, D.C., which is nearby. If you're interested in areas like politics, defense, or technology, going to college in Virginia will give you the opportunity to build networks with likeminded students and alumni who might be able to connect you to the internships and jobs that will put your career on a firm footing.
What are the best colleges in Virginia?
This ranking takes under consideration every college and university in Virginia that grants 4-year degrees. We take that list, and filter it through our methodology. Our methodology accounts for three central factors: student body diversity, academic quality, and return on investment, which we analyze using data from IPEDS, a database on higher education statistics available through the National Center for Education Statistics.
Rankings
See our rankings methodology page.
