25 Best Universities In Virginia For International Students 2025

Virginia is surely one of the places you should be considering if you’re looking to study in United States. This location has a lot to offer for international students, including world-class universities and exciting student experiences. With more than 42 universities and colleges in Virginia, you’ll surely have a wide range of choices.

Out of 42 universities in Virginia, University of Virginia and Virginia Tech are the top-performing schools in Virginia. This list covers both public and private institutions in Virginia.

To help you narrow down your school options, we’ve compiled the best universities in Virginia. We based our rankings on academic reputations from reputable sources and the number of international students. By doing this, you’ll have an efficient way of comparing your target universities and choose your host university in Virginia.

How do I get admission to the best universities in Virginia?

Applying to the universities in Virginia involves submitting requirements and following specific admissions procedures set by your chosen university. The requirements often include a student visa, application packages, and language scores. Check out our guide for international students who want to study in Virginia to learn more about applying for admission in this country’s universities!

How much are the tuition fees at the best universities in Virginia?

Tuition fees at Virginia’s universities can vary depending on which university, degree, and program you will be enrolling in. Generally, tuition fees for the bachelor’s level range from 8,200 USD to 69,700 USD , while tuition fees for the master’s level range from 5,475 USD to 66,900 USD. If you are interested, check out the affordable universities in Virginia!

As we cover the best universities in Virginia for international students, feel free to check out the university’s information on Admission, Tuition, Courses, and Language Requirements by looking at the individual university pages.

Top Universities in Virginia for International Students

No other than a Founding Father and third President of the United States, Thomas Jefferson, founded the University of Virginia or UVA, one of the USA’s most prestigious research institutions. This Ivy league public university is the state’s flagship institution. It contributes to many fields, such as architecture and science. UVA maintains its tradition of excellence and breaking barriers through robust and high-quality programs.

Virginia Tech is one of the leading institutions in Blacksburg, Virginia. The school has more than 110 undergraduate programs and 170+ graduate programs. Some academic disciplines currently offered are engineering, life sciences, liberal arts, and medicine. Over the years, the university has been recognized for its high standard of education. Several of its study programs are nationally and globally recognized, and it has successfully managed to cultivate a pool of talented and skillful graduates.

College of William and Mary offers a variety of programs in business, arts, sciences, and education, among others. It provides a diverse community full of active and passionate students. The institution also participates in different international activities to expand its connections and intensify the learning experience of its students.

Virginia Commonwealth University is an urban public university located in Richmond, Virginia. It was established in 1838 and is known as the first university in the southern states for social work. Over the years, the university has received numerous academic recognitions and research breakthroughs which made it one of the top research universities in America. 

One of Virginia’s pride, George Mason University, is among the top universities in the world. As a globally recognized institution, it champions in all academic aspects. It offers first-class educational programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Some of the academic disciplines that offer comprehensive programs are engineering, business, education, health services, and social sciences.

Old Dominion University is a public institution for higher learning in Norfolk, Virginia. Since it was established in 1930, the university has become one of the largest in the state. At present, it provides undergraduate and master’s education to more than 24,000 students.

The University of Richmond ensures that students from all over the world will experience magnificent education through intensive training and research opportunities. The university offers a welcoming environment where anyone can feel at home despite being miles away from their families. In recent years, the University of Richmond began strengthening its internationalization by hosting conferences and exhibits.

According to US News, the 11th best liberal arts college in the US is the Washington and Lee University. It is also among the oldest institutions of higher learning in the country and was named after two significant individuals, George Washington and Robert E. Lee. The university offers a variety of undergraduate courses. However, its only graduate school is dedicated to law.

Liberty University is perfect for students with a conservative Christian background since this is an evangelical university that keeps Christian values at the core of its operations. Proof of this is the various volunteer programs available to students, along with the activities organized by the Liberty Worship Collective. Besides religion-related degrees, Liberty University offers more than 700 programs in various areas including science, technology, health, humanities, and law. They are available for studying on campus and online.

James Madison University was primarily established as a school for women. Decades after its establishment, the university has prospered and now offers more than a hundred programs for both domestic and international students. James Madison University defines success as a combination of intellect and action, which is why it heavily focuses on improving the students’ critical thinking and practical experience.

Marymount University is a privately funded Catholic institution in Virginia. Even as a Catholic school, it admits students from all ethnicities and religious backgrounds. It is nationally recognized as one of the most diverse universities in Virginia. In addition, the university prepares students for their future careers by providing top-quality education and valuable training. One of its pride is that it has cultivated countless successful graduates who ventured into various industry sectors.

Founded in 1910, Radford University has been providing exemplary educational programs to its local community. It also warmly welcomes out-state and international students from all backgrounds. One of the university’s primary goals is to cultivate responsible and competent individuals. Admitted students will be presented with numerous opportunities to help develop their skills, gain sufficient knowledge, and enhance their talents. Currently, the university offers multidisciplinary programs and awards degrees from bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and associate degrees.

The predecessor of Hampton University was established by the American Missionary Association for freedmen, making it a historically black institution. This privately-owned university is prominent for education quality, placing 301st in the QS US University rankings, 401st in the Times Higher Education US Colleges rankings, and 202nd in the US News National Rankings. Its museum is also among the oldest in the state and country.

The Eastern Virginia Medical School is perfect for those students that have already completed a bachelor’s degree and would like to pursue a career in the health field. Divided into two schools, it offers around 20 graduate and postgraduate programs, along with multiple certificates and dual degrees. This university is known for its state-of-the-art facilities and research work, which is developed in its 20 centers and institutes that specialize in different areas like cancer or reproductive medicine. Its faculty also works with clinical trials to determine how effective and safe new devices and treatments could be.

Regent University is a Catholic university in Virginia and is religiously affiliated with the Interdenominational Evangelical. The “regent” in its name refers to Christ. It is not the same or related to Regent’s College or Regent’s University London. Regent Uni has both institutional and specialized accreditations from organizations such as the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

The University of Mary Washington offers education and training in the arts, sciences, business, and education. While it has several undergraduate courses, its selection of graduate programs is limited. The institution started as a teacher training school before becoming a full-fledged university in 2004. Besides its campus in Fredericksburg, UMW has other locations in Virginia: Stafford and Dahlgren. As for placement, it placed 251st in the QS US Universities rankings.

One of the nationally acknowledged institutions in the state of Virginia is the Christopher Newport University (CNU). It was initially named Christopher Newport College back when it was established in 1960. The institution achieved university status in 1992 and has since been officially using its current name. Today, CNU provides numerous comprehensive academic programs in business, arts, humanities, social sciences, and natural and behavioral sciences.

Virginia Military Institute, the oldest state-supported military college in the country, offers a one-of-a-kind undergraduate experience to students who wished to have a transformative experience. The institute is an established producer of successful graduates awarded with Nobel Prizes, Scholars, and Medal of Honors. As a military institution, the college contributes to the workforce in a variety of fields including military, business, engineering, medicine, and public policy.

Sweet Briar College was founded by Indiana Fletcher Williams to give more opportunities to women in a time when women could not even vote. The college was quickly recognized by graduate programs at leading institutions, and three of its five first graduates were accepted to pursue graduate studies in those leading universities. The college persisted when its own administration attempted to close its gates and has now become a self-governing institution of learning.

Norfolk State University aims to maintain its legacy of being one of the best state universities in the country. It provides a space for students to flourish and achieve excellence through rigorous academic work and practical experience. The university also enables students to gain international background by participating in numerous conferences and foreign events.

Longwood University combines a classical liberal arts curriculum with an intensive experience in the actual field. The university aims to train students and immediately expose them to real-life situations. It seeks to maintain a constructive and efficient learning environment where students get to maximize their intelligence.

Virginia State University caters to a predominant population of Black American students. It began as an all-Black learning environment, with the student body comprised of diverse ethnic backgrounds. Virginia State University offers degree programs from a broad range of disciplines, such as business management, science and engineering, and the social sciences.

Roanoke College was founded in 1842 by pastors of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. It is the country’s second-oldest Lutheran-affiliated college. It offers a total of 118 academic programs designed to provide a combination of strong theoretical knowledge and practical application through real-world experiences. 

Two hundred years into the establishment of the city of Lynchburg in the state of Virginia, the University of Lynchburg was finally founded. Established in 1903, the University of Lynchburg is a private university that offers a balanced student life of academics and sports. The athletic field of the Lynchburg area currently has NCAA Division III teams that actively compete for prestige and experience. Recently, around 2400 students have been enrolled, and it continues to grow as time passes by.

Shenandoah University is a private university acknowledged for its high standards of teaching and research. The university offers liberal arts and professional programs in the following areas of study: health sciences, business, social sciences, humanities, arts, and natural sciences. Moreover, the university also gives students numerous opportunities, such as exchange programs, study abroad programs, and community service programs to name a few.