Virginia Student Loans, Financial Aid & College Costs
Virginia College Cost Snapshot (2025-26)
Published tuition and cost-of-attendance averages across Virginia institutions.
Top Virginia Colleges by Published Tuition (2025-26)
Tuition and fees only. Click any column header to sort.
| School ↕ | Type ↕ | In-state T&F ↕ | Out-of-state T&F ↕ | Undergrad Enroll. ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Virginia | Public 4-yr | $22,078 | $59,288 | 17,300 |
| Virginia Tech | Public 4-yr | $15,852 | $38,016 | 30,400 |
| William & Mary | Public 4-yr | $25,876 | $51,424 | 7,000 |
| Virginia Commonwealth University | Public 4-yr | $15,568 | $39,568 | 21,400 |
| George Mason University | Public 4-yr | $14,220 | $39,000 | 27,400 |
| Old Dominion University | Public 4-yr | $12,060 | $33,780 | 18,400 |
| James Madison University | Public 4-yr | $14,248 | $32,212 | 20,800 |
| Norfolk State University | Public 4-yr | $10,090 | $22,858 | 5,500 |
| University of Richmond | Private | $66,410 | $66,410 | 3,300 |
| VA Community College (avg) | Community | $5,100 | $11,600 | 200,000 |
Virginia State-Funded Aid Programs
Administered by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV).
Virginia Guaranteed Assistance Program (VGAP)
For VA residents with demonstrated financial need attending eligible VA public colleges. Continuous aid through graduation.
Commonwealth Award
Need-based grant for VA residents at public VA colleges. Administered by individual institutions using SCHEV-allocated funds.
Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant (VTAG)
Non-need-based grant for VA residents attending eligible private VA colleges.
G3 (Get Skilled, Get a Job, Give Back)
Free tuition at VA community colleges for low- and middle-income residents pursuing high-demand careers.
Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Program
Education benefits for children and spouses of qualifying VA veterans killed, disabled, or missing due to military service.
Student Loan Options for Virginia Students
Start with federal aid before considering private loans. Federal borrower protections are stronger and rates are fixed.
Does Virginia have a state student loan program?
No. Virginia does not run a state nonprofit student lender. About a dozen states do — including MEFA (Massachusetts), RISLA (Rhode Island), Minnesota SELF, the Bank of North Dakota DEAL Student Loan, VSAC (Vermont), CHESLA (Connecticut), NJCLASS (New Jersey), ISL Education Lending (Iowa), NHHEAF/Granite State (New Hampshire), FAME (Maine), and Kentucky's Advantage Education Loan. These programs often price below major private banks. Virginia residents should lean on federal loans first, then compare private lenders directly.
The order to follow
- File the FAFSA to unlock federal Pell Grants, Virginia state grants, and Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized loans.
- Apply scholarships and 529 savings before borrowing a dollar. Every $1,000 in free aid saves roughly $1,400 in total loan cost over 10 years.
- Max federal Direct Loans next. Fixed rates, income-driven repayment, and forgiveness programs aren't available on private loans.
- Compare private student loans only for any remaining gap. Shop at least 3 lenders; cosigner rates typically run 1-3 points lower.
Private Student Loan Lenders We Recommend
If you've exhausted federal aid and still need to borrow, these are the lenders we track for rates and terms.
Credible
One form, prequalified offers from multiple private lenders. Shop rates without multiple hard credit pulls.
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Get A Quote At College Ave →Sallie Mae
Long-established lender with options for undergraduate, graduate, and career training programs.
See Sallie Mae Rates →Advertiser disclosure: The College Investor earns a commission from some of the lenders listed above. Our rankings are independent — compensation does not influence order or editorial recommendations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions for Virgina students and families.
How much does college cost in Virginia?
Average in-state tuition and fees at Virginia public four-year universities is about $14,400 for 2025-26. Total cost of attendance (tuition, fees, room and board, books, and personal expenses) averages roughly $29,800 on campus for Virginia residents and $44,800 for non-residents.
What is the average student loan debt in Virginia?
Virginia borrowers carry an average federal student loan balance of roughly $39,700. Total outstanding federal student debt for Virginia residents is approximately $42.7 billion.
Does Virginia offer state-funded college grants?
Yes. SCHEV administers VGAP, the Commonwealth Award, VTAG (for private colleges), and G3 (free community college in high-demand fields).
Does Virginia have a state student loan program?
No. Virginia does not operate a state nonprofit student lender. About a dozen states do, including Massachusetts (MEFA), Rhode Island (RISLA), Minnesota (SELF), North Dakota (DEAL), and Kentucky (Advantage Education Loan). Virginia residents should start with federal student loans through the FAFSA and compare private lenders for any remaining gap financing.
Which Virginia colleges have the lowest in-state tuition?
VA community colleges average $5,100 per year, with G3 making programs free in high-demand fields. Norfolk State is the lowest-priced four-year public at $10,090. UVA and William & Mary carry the highest in-state rates, above $22,000.
What scholarships are available for Virginia residents?
Key awards include VGAP, Commonwealth Award, VTAG, G3, and the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Program. UVA, W&M, and Richmond offer strong institutional aid.
Related Virginia Resources
How We Sourced This Data
- Institutional cost pages at Virginia public universities (2025-26 published rates)
- Education Data Initiative state-level debt and cost tables
- SCHEV program pages
- NCES IPEDS data for enrollment and institutional cost profiles
Editor: Clint Proctor Reviewed by: Claire Tak