For the academic year 2024-2025, the average tuition of public colleges in Virginia is $15,702 for Virginia residents and $35,461 for out-of-state students. For private colleges in Virginia, the average tuition & fees are $23,704 regardless of residency.
For graduate schools, the average tuition of public colleges in Virginia is $15,271 for Virginia residents and $28,525 for out-of-state students. For private schools in Virginia, the average graduate tuition is $15,826.
The average living expenses other than tuition & fees are $17,140 when a student lives on-campus facilities such as dormitory and college-operated/owned apartment. The average off-campus living cost is $16,649. 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 $35,184 for residents and $54,943 for out-of-state students. At private four-year schools, average COA is $41,575. At community colleges (2-4 year school), the average COA is $23,533 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 | $35,184 | $54,943 |
| Private 4-Year Colleges | $41,575 | |
| Community Colleges | $23,533 | $29,949 |
Undergraduate Tuition & Fees
In Virginia, 156 out of 161 colleges are offering undergraduate programs. By schools type, there are 43 public and 76 private colleges in Virginia. The average undergraduate tuition & fees of colleges in Virginia is $10,397 for Virginia residents and $29,794 for out-of-state students. At private schools, the undergraduate tuition & fees is $22,546
At community colleges (2-4 years schools), the average tuition & fees is $5,011 for residents and $10,680 for out-of-state students.
| Virginia Residents | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
| Public 4-Year Colleges | $10,397 | $29,794 |
| Private 4-Year Colleges | $22,546 | |
| Community Colleges (2-Year Colleges) | $5,011 | $10,680 |
| 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 $11,942 for Virginia residents and $24,896 for out-of-state students. At private schools, the graduate program tuition & fees is $14,996
| Virginia Residents | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
| Public Schools | $11,942 | $24,896 |
| Private Schools | $14,996 | |
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 $427 for Virginia residents and $1,139 for out-of-state students. At private schools, the average cost is $850
For graduate programs, the average tuition per credit hour is $629 for Virginia residents and $1,267 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 | $427 | $1,139 |
| Private 4-Year Colleges | $850 | |
| Community Colleges (2-Year Colleges) | $167 | $356 |
| Graduate | ||
| Public Schools | $629 | $1,267 |
| Private Schools | $616 | |
Average Living Costs at colleges in Virginia
At colleges in Virginia, the average living cost is $17,140 when a student lives on campus facility and $16,649 when living off campus. It includes the cost for room & board, and other living expenses.
| On-Campus | Off-Campus | |
|---|---|---|
| Public Schools | $17,970 | $16,652 |
| Private Schools | $16,648 | $16,647 |
