Key Facts About Higher Education in Virginia

The Virginia Plan for Higher Education
The Virginia Plan for Higher Education, the statewide strategic plan, calls for the Commonwealth to be the (be the best-educated state by 2030). To do so, the percentage of working-age adults with a postsecondary credential needs to increase from 52% to 70% by 2030. To learn more, please visit schev.edu/thevirginiaplan.

15 Public Four-Year Institutions
24 Public Two-Year Institutions
5 Regional Higher Ed Centers
45 Private, Non-Profit Colleges and Universities
220 For-Profit, Out-of-State or Vocational Institutions

Fall Headcount Total: 553,296
Enrollment by Race: Students of color make up 44.7% of enrollments, a 22% increase since 2015.
23% of students who enrolled in 2023 are the first in their family to attend college.
56% of women enrolled in college compared to 43% of men.

Awards Earned (degrees and certificates):137,489.
The median annual wage five years after graduation for someone with a Bachelor’s degree is $61,502 and $46,505 for an Associate degree (transfer).

In general, those with a post-secondary degree earn higher wages, are more likely to have health insurance, pay taxes, vote, volunteer and are less likely to rely on public assistance.

57% of students pursuing a four-year degree at a public institution graduated within four years.

More than 100,000 students have participated in an internship since 2020.

Undergraduate Average Total Charges
(Tuition, all mandatory/fees and room and board where applicable)

• 4 Year Public Institutions: $29,538
• 2 Year Public Institutions: $5.049

VIRGINIA STUDENT DEBT

Bachelor's Degree: Median: $25,000
Associate Degree: Median: $10,640

Students who complete an associate degree at a community college first can save an average of $21,968 on the cost of a bachelor’s degree.

34% of students receive Pell Awards. (2023-24 data)

AFFORDABLE PATHWAYS for pursuing a higher education in Virginia:

• PUBLIC FOUR YEAR: Federal and state grants available for low-income students.
• PRIVATE COLLEGES: The Tuition Assistance Grant (TAG) helps students afford private college tuition.
• TRANSFER: Save up to 1/3 of costs when earning an associate degree and then transferring to a 2-year institution.
• APPRENTICESHIPS: Many apprenticeships pay students to work and attend school.
• WORKFORCE CREDENTIALS: Workforce credentials Grant covers up to 2/3 of the average cost of high demand programs.
• GET SKILLED, GET A JOB, GET AHEAD: Makes community college more affordable for eligible
  low-income students seeking jobs in high-demand fields.
• MILITARY: State and federal grants are available for veterans and families.

HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM GOVERNANCE

The coordination and governance of higher education are shared responsibilities among the General Assembly, the Governor, institutions and SCHEV. 

Governor

• Appoints members to institutions' boards of visitors and SCHEV
• Issues executive orders
• Prepares and submits a biennial budget

General Assembly

• Confirms Governor’s nominations for boards of visitors and SCHEV
• Adopts a biennial budget
• Enacts legislation pertaining to higher education

State Committees

• Six-Person Operating Advisory Committee (OpSix) reviews and provides feedback on institutions’ six-year operating plans
• Six-Year Capital Outlay Plan Advisory Committee (6PAC) reviews institutions’ six-year capital plans and makes recommendations to the General Assembly

SCHEV

• Develops statewide strategic plan
• Provides policy and funding recommendations
• Approves changes to institutional missions and new academic programs
• Regulates private and out-of-state postsecondary education
• Provides assurance that enables Virginia colleges to qualify for Title IV and military financial aid benefits
• Administers state student aid programs

Public Institutions' Governing Boards

• Set institutional policy goals and priorities
• Selects, reviews, and if necessary, dismisses the chief executive
• Sets tuition and fees
• Approves budget requests to the Governor and General Assembly
• Ensure institution effectively and efficiently uses state funds

TUITION AND FEE CHARGES ARE A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY BETWEEN INSTITUTIONS AND STUDENTS.

SCHEV staff work closely with the 13-member Council to advocate for and promote the development and operation of an educationally and economically sound, vigorous, progressive and coordinated system of higher education in the Commonwealth.

SCHEV’s Roles and Responsibilities

• Makes policy and budget recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly
• Coordinates academic policies and approves new degree programs for public institutions
• Collects, analyzes and publishes higher ed data
• Certifies private and out-of-state institutions to operate in Virginia
• Administers state financial aid programs
• Supports PreK-12 students transition to postsecondary education
• Provides orientation training for new board of visitors' members
• Develops Virginia's strategic plan for higher education
• Reviews public institutions' operating plans
• Handles student complaints and assists with student loan issues
• Partners with institutions and employers to increase work-based learning opportunities

For more detailed descriptions of SCHEV’s responsibilities, please visit www.schev.edu/schevroles.