For the academic year 2024-2025, the average tuition of public colleges in Virginia is $15,642 for Virginia residents and $35,322 for out-of-state students. For private colleges in Virginia, the average tuition & fees are $23,739 regardless of residency.
For graduate schools, the average tuition of public colleges in Virginia is $15,766 for Virginia residents and $28,071 for out-of-state students. For private schools in Virginia, the average graduate tuition is $16,778.
The average living expenses other than tuition & fees are $17,108 when a student lives on-campus facilities such as dormitory and college-operated/owned apartment. The average off-campus living cost is $16,509. It includes costs for room & board, books & supplies, and other living expenses.
The average amounts are based on the cost of 4-years college which offer BS degree (or higher). You can check the average cost of 2-years college (community college) and less than 2 years colleges (trade schools / technical colleges). In addition, you can check the average cost of college by school type, level, and offered degree below.
You can compare all Virginia colleges in various ways:
Average Cost of Attendance (COA)
In addition to the tuition & fees, the cost of college includes cost for room & board, books & supplies, and other living expenses. This total costs of attendance (COA) is important when preparing for the college admission and checking student loans.
The 2025 average COA of the four-year colleges in Virginia is $35,125 for residents and $54,804 for out-of-state students. At private four-year schools, average COA is $41,499. At community colleges (2-4 year school), the average COA is $23,521 for Virginia residents and $29,949 for out-of-state students.
The following table summarizes the 2025 average COA by school types and levels. In addition, you can check the changes of COA by comparing to last year.
| Virginia Residents | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
| Public 4-Year Colleges | $35,125 | $54,804 |
| Private 4-Year Colleges | $41,499 | |
| Community Colleges | $23,521 | $29,949 |
Undergraduate Tuition & Fees
In Virginia, 156 out of 162 colleges are offering undergraduate programs. By schools type, there are 44 public and 77 private colleges in Virginia. The average undergraduate tuition & fees of colleges in Virginia is $15,642 for Virginia residents and $35,322 for out-of-state students. At private schools, the undergraduate tuition & fees is $23,739
At community colleges (2-4 years schools), the average tuition & fees is $5,331 for residents and $11,758 for out-of-state students.
| Virginia Residents | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
| Public 4-Year Colleges | $15,642 | $35,322 |
| Private 4-Year Colleges | $23,739 | |
| Community Colleges (2-Year Colleges) | $5,331 | $11,758 |
| Trade Schools (Less than 2-Year Schools) | $14,712 | |
Graduate Programs Tuition & Fees
In Virginia, 66 colleges and universities offer graduate programs. The average graduate school tuition & fees of colleges in Virginia is $12,296 for Virginia residents and $24,443 for out-of-state students. At private schools, the graduate program tuition & fees is $15,948
| Virginia Residents | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
| Public Schools | $12,296 | $24,443 |
| Private Schools | $15,948 | |
Tuition per Credit Hour
The tuition per credit hour is used and charged to part-time students and/or full-time students who takes extra courses (credits). The average cost per credit hour of colleges in Virginia is $457 for Virginia residents and $1,160 for out-of-state students. At private schools, the average cost is $899
For graduate programs, the average tuition per credit hour is $673 for Virginia residents and $1,353 for out-of-state students. At private graduate schools, the average cost per credit hour is $616
| Virginia Residents | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | ||
| Public 4-Year Colleges | $457 | $1,160 |
| Private 4-Year Colleges | $899 | |
| Community Colleges (2-Year Colleges) | $171 | $362 |
| Graduate | ||
| Public Schools | $673 | $1,353 |
| Private Schools | $616 | |
Average Living Costs at colleges in Virginia
At colleges in Virginia, the average living cost is $17,108 when a student lives on campus facility and $16,509 when living off campus. It includes the cost for room & board, and other living expenses.
| On-Campus | Off-Campus | |
|---|---|---|
| Public Schools | $17,970 | $16,617 |
| Private Schools | $16,597 | $16,449 |
