Best General Studies Schools in Virginia (2026)

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Virginia General Studies At a Glance

Metric Detail
Median General Studies Salary $89,755
Salary Outlook Virginia offers competitive wages for general studies professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below.
Primary Licensing Body Virginia Professional Licensing Board
Accreditation Required Institutional + Regional

Earning an online general studies degree in Virginia offers a flexible path into general studies careers. Virginia offers competitive wages for general studies professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below. Whether you’re looking for an affordable in-state option or a nationally available program, Virginia students have access to a variety of accredited online choices that balance quality and cost.


Online General Studies Schools in Virginia

The following schools offer accredited online general studies programs and are ranked based on affordability, graduation rates, and student outcomes in Virginia.

How We Rank Schools

Every school list on this site is ordered by the BOC Score, computed from the most recent school-level data published by the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard and IPEDS). To qualify, a school must be currently operating and accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Each eligible school is then scored on five measures, percentile-ranked against schools at the same credential level:

  • Graduation rate 30%
  • Median earnings, 10 years after entry 25%
  • Average net price (lower is better) 20%
  • Retention rate 15%
  • Fully online availability 10%

Schools without enough outcome data appear after ranked schools, without a score. Advertising never affects these rankings. Read the full methodology.

Ranked by BOC Score — U.S. Dept. of Education outcome data. Advertising never affects rankings.

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#1

University of Virginia-Main Campus

Charlottesville, VA
  • 4 year
  • Offers a fully online program
86.2 BOC Score
Graduation rate 94%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $86,863
Avg net price $21,565/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 97%
  • Programs offered: 117

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#2

William & Mary

Williamsburg, VA
  • 4 year
  • Offers a fully online program
  • Accredited
85.4 BOC Score
Acceptance rate 34%
Graduation rate 90%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $73,490
Avg net price $19,096/yr
Tuition
In‑state$25,914
Out‑of‑state$51,038
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 95%
  • Programs offered: 55

Source:Accreditor: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on CollegesIPEDSCollege Scorecard

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#3

University of Management and Technology

Arlington, VA
  • 4 year
  • Offers a fully online program
82.8 BOC Score
Graduation rate 68%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $68,530
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 100%
  • Programs offered: 11

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

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#5

University of Mary Washington

Fredericksburg, VA
  • 4 year
60.4 BOC Score
Graduation rate 71%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $60,613
Avg net price $20,667/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 83%
  • Programs offered: 33

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#6

Christopher Newport University

Newport News, VA
  • 4 year
  • Accredited
59.7 BOC Score
Acceptance rate 86%
Graduation rate 73%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $60,509
Avg net price $23,015/yr
Tuition
In‑state$16,828
Out‑of‑state$31,178
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 82%
  • Programs offered: 26

Source:Accreditor: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on CollegesIPEDSCollege Scorecard

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#7

Sweet Briar College

Sweet Briar, VA
  • 4 year
42.0 BOC Score
Graduation rate 56%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $51,943
Avg net price $17,758/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 73%
  • Programs offered: 17

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#8

Southern Virginia University

Buena Vista, VA
  • 4 year
34.9 BOC Score
Graduation rate 48%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $50,002
Avg net price $22,213/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 78%
  • Programs offered: 17

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

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Career Outlook and Salaries in Virginia

General Studies professionals in Virginia experience a dynamic job market with competitive wages. Below are the median annual salaries for key roles in the field, based on the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data for Virginia.

Occupation Median Annual Salary (Virginia)
General and Operations Managers $122,080
Management Analysts $117,580
Human Resources Specialists $82,090
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists $76,980
Writers and Authors $85,000
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education $72,170
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers $67,170
Social and Community Service Managers $94,970

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), May 2025 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.


Why Pursue an Online General Studies Degree in Virginia?

Choosing a program in Virginia can provide several advantages:

  • In-State Tuition: Many public universities in Virginia offer lower tuition rates for residents, even for online programs.
  • Local Networking: Attending a school within your state can make it easier to connect with local employers and professional organizations.
  • Regional Relevance: Curriculum often incorporates data and case studies relevant to the Virginia economy and job market.


Frequently Asked Questions

Are online general studies programs in Virginia accredited?

The schools in our directory hold institutional accreditation from agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education - that is a condition of inclusion. Verify any specific school and program in the Department’s DAPIP database before enrolling.

How does General Studies pay in Virginia compare to other states?

Virginia offers competitive wages for general studies professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below. This makes Virginia a strong choice for students looking to maximize their ROI after graduation.

What is the primary licensing board for general studies in Virginia?

The Virginia Professional Licensing Board oversees professional standards and licensure for the field in Virginia. Most accredited programs are designed to align with their specific requirements.


Online General Studies Programs by City in Virginia

Explore city-level guides with local salary data and school options:

Alexandria · Blacksburg · Charlottesville · Chesapeake · Christiansburg · Danville · Fairfax · Fredericksburg · Hampton · Harrisonburg · Herndon · Hopewell · Leesburg · Lynchburg · Manassas · Martinsville · Newport News · Norfolk · Petersburg · Portsmouth · Richmond · Roanoke · Salem · Staunton · Suffolk · Virginia Beach · Waynesboro · Williamsburg · Winchester


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