2024 Best Colleges for Low-Income Students in Virginia

• Charlottesville, VA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.91 out of 5  2,389 reviews

Alum: It feels like a lifetime ago that I was in Cville (class of 2010), but wanted to include my thoughts if helpful! I was an out-of-state athlete and was between UVA and and Princeton when deciding on colleges. As a now 35-year-old professional I can honestly say I have ZERO regrets on my decision because I feel that UVA checked the box for literally everything I could ask for in an ideal college experience - academics, history, social life, opportunities for involvement…and in terms of athletics feel that it is often overlooked the incredible amount of National Championships that we have won over the years (special shout out to Women’s Swimming!). I also felt that the size of the student body was a perfect balance of always having the opportunity to be meeting new people while also consistently running into familiar faces around grounds. Having been in the workforce for 12+ years now I can assure you a UVA degree is incredibly well respected and will take you far. Go Hoos!... Read 2,389 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 21%

• Net price $20,401

• SAT range 1380-1500

• Williamsburg, VA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.66 out of 5  1,597 reviews

Alum: Graduated in 2011, was the best college experience I could have hoped for! Made lifelong friends and discovered passion for history. I interned at Colonial Williamsburg and had some amazing public history courses where we traveled to historic sites and discussed primary sourced (and ate bbq!). Such a perfect campus size, it felt larger than other liberal arts schools but still super safe. I walked home alone at 3 am often. Was not part of the party scene, but was super social and my freshman dorm was where I made most of my friends. If I had one thing the criticize it would be support in finding a job post-graduation (this may have changed in the 10+ yrs since graduation). You have to be proactive about using the career center. They have a brand new online social community that I joined as an alumni and I think this will be a huge help to recent grads.... Read 1,597 reviews

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 37%

• Net price $18,399

• SAT range 1360-1520

• Wise, VA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.59 out of 5  247 reviews

Junior: Academically, the college lacks consistency. Certain programs, such as general education requirements, lack substantial teaching and learning. However, other areas of academics, for example, Biology, are vast and difficult. This disconnect in academics negatively effects my peers and I’s ability to preform consistently academically as-well. The smaller size of campus and student body aids to facilitate a familial and belonging feeling. Despite the low number of students, social events are happening frequently to foster community. I have learned factually, socially, and internally with my time at UVA-Wise, so overall the experience has been beneficial. Issues with the school would include a lack of diversity, small local community outside the campus, and fluctuations in academics. However, with adversity comes resilience and ability to foster change.... Read 247 reviews

• grade B+

• Acceptance rate 83%

• Net price $10,193

• SAT range 990-1230

• Charlottesville, VA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.91 out of 5  257 reviews

Alum: PVCC was a great stepping stone for me before attending the University of Virginia. I did not feel like I was behind academically, and even felt ahead of some of my peers when transitioning to UVA. Some disadvantages of PVCC were that some professors graded far too harshly such that some classes lost some of their primary purpose of teaching the material. Advising at PVCC is okay but I'd highly encourage students to formulate their own game plan before making any decisions and use the advisors to verify. The social life at PVCC is virtually non-existent. You may become friends with classmates and make some lasting connections, but there aren't many school facilitated events to build a school community.... Read 257 reviews

• grade B

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $6,873

• SAT range —

• Richmond, VA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.65 out of 5  653 reviews

Freshman: I enjoyed most courses and classes, however, some key information was left out of SDV 100, especially regarding where assignments could be located; such as not all assignments will appear on your dashboard. I missed a few early assignments because of this. Most teachers were/are wonderful, however, some showed no interest in their subject or students. For example, canceling classes consistently to the point where more classes were canceled than not. Some teachers didn't even hold lectures or offer help/remediation. Otherwise, a wonderful college.... Read 653 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $5,610

• SAT range —

• Annandale, VA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.8 out of 5  2,930 reviews

Freshman: Overall, my experience with NOVA has been positive. I appreciated the range of courses and programs offered, which allowed me to explore different areas of study and find my academic interests. The professors at NOVA were knowledgeable and approachable, always willing to provide guidance and support. There were ample resources available for students, such as the library and computer labs. However, there are a few areas where I would like to see some changes. I believe NOVA could benefit from enhancing its career services and internship opportunities for students. While there were resources available, they could be more robust and better advertised to ensure students are aware of the various professional development opportunities. My overall experience with Northern Virginia Community College was positive. However, improvements in the class registration process and career services would enhance the overall experience at the college.... Read 2,930 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $9,627

• SAT range —

• Norfolk, VA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.85 out of 5  1,585 reviews

Freshman: It has been a wonderful experience attending Tidewater Community College. The instructors are communicative, inspiring and passionate. I couldn't have asked for a better experience going into college after ten years of waiting! As long as you communicate well with the administration office, things will go smoothly regarding to enrollment. As a person that likes to get things done quickly, I was impressed how they managed to respond to my questions and concerns.... Read 1,585 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $7,292

• SAT range —

• Alberta, VA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.83 out of 5  143 reviews

Sophomore: I joined Southside Virginia Community College through Dual Enrollment, but, in my junior year, I started a program known as the Governor's School of Southside Virginia. This program allowed me to be on campus for three hours each morning and complete my Associate's Degree. The location is beautiful, with good lab facilities and a wonderful library. Everyone on staff is amazing, and the clubs are very active!... Read 143 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $6,713

• SAT range —

• Lynchburg, VA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.76 out of 5  232 reviews

Freshman: CVCC is the place to be to start off your higher education journey. CVCC is like a big family and everyone there is helpful and kind, always willing to help you out with anything you need. The instructors and professors are all very compassionate and willing to take the time to help you understand the material or answer any questions you may have. The admission, navigators, and advisors are all amazing and make sure you have everything you need and you can always make an appointment to see any of them from their Navigate app. They have many resources to help out those who need it. They have a food pantry on campus and help set up students in need for success!... Read 232 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $4,624

• SAT range —

• Big Stone Gap, VA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 4.1 out of 5  124 reviews

Freshman: This college has made me feel so welcome. I attended Purdue University Northwest prior, and nothing I experienced there compares to the short time I've bene at MECC. The faculty is so nice and understanding.... Read 124 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $8,803

• SAT range —

• Chester, VA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.89 out of 5  475 reviews

Junior: Brightpoint Community College is a Great school! They have so much to offer and have a lot of benefits, too. There are a lot of activities to join and to become a part of that are lots of fun! They offer transfer degrees and lots of awesome resources that are there for you when you need help!... Read 475 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $6,276

• SAT range —

• Locust Grove, VA•

• 2 Year

• •
  Rating 3.76 out of 5  552 reviews

Alum: Germanna helped me transition to college and plan my future where my high school couldn't. This institution has bountiful resources to help students apply, find scholarships, study, learn a vocational skill, and even offers part-time jobs that are flexible to the student's schedule. Various events and club activities are hosted every weekday with chances to earn financial aid or apply for a local job position. There is a large selection of classes on multiple campuses or online to choose from. The professors are very qualified and care about each student's outcome. This institution is a wealth of knowledge and resources to help anyone reach their goals.... Read 552 reviews

• grade B minus

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $6,149

• SAT range —