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Our analysis found James Madison University to be the #1 college for veterans in Virginia. It scores 89.6 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. Veteran affordability scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7.
by our College Data Analytics Team
If you’re a veteran, service member, or military-affiliated student looking for a college that has your back, you’ve come to the right place. We have ranked 124 colleges for veteran and military-affiliated students in Virginia, using our 2026 methodology.
Our ranking weighs the factors that matter most to veteran and military-affiliated students: affordability and veteran financial benefits, academic quality, on-campus veteran resources and support services, veteran-friendly policies, and the size of the veteran student community. To help you decide, College Factual reviewed 124 colleges, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). Learn more about our ranking methodology.
Your ideal fit depends on your goals and benefits. Drill down by location, or explore our other rankings below.
Ready to build your own comparison? Try our tool College Combat to build custom comparisons using the factors most important to you.
Learn more about these veteran-friendly colleges below:
Our analysis found James Madison University to be the #1 college for veterans in Virginia. It scores 89.6 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. Veteran affordability scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7.
Out of the 124 colleges in Virginia in this year's ranking, William & Mary landed the #2 spot. William & Mary scores 89.2 out of 100 for veteran support overall. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, alongside a 66.7 veteran-resources score.
Out of the 124 colleges in Virginia in this year's ranking, University of Virginia-Main Campus landed the #3 spot. University of Virginia-Main Campus scores 87.5 out of 100 for veteran support overall. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, alongside a 66.7 veteran-resources score.
Out of the 124 colleges in Virginia in this year's ranking, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University landed the #4 spot. On our overall veterans measure, it scores 84.9 out of 100. Veteran affordability scores 100.0, and veteran resources 66.7.
Virginia Commonwealth University came in at #5 on this year's Best Colleges for Veterans ranking in Virginia. It scores 84.4 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. On affordability for veterans it scores 100.0, alongside a 66.7 veteran-resources score.
University of Mary Washington landed the #6 spot in Virginia this year. University of Mary Washington scores 83.8 out of 100 for veteran support overall. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, and veteran resources 66.7.
Norfolk State University placed #7 among the best colleges for veterans in Virginia. The school's overall veterans score is 81.2 out of 100. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, alongside a 100.0 veteran-resources score.
Christopher Newport University came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Christopher Newport University scores 80.9 out of 100 for veteran support overall. Veteran affordability scores 100.0, alongside a 33.3 veteran-resources score.
Regent University came in at #9 in this year's ranking. On our overall veterans measure, it scores 79.2 out of 100. On affordability for veterans it scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7.
DeVry University-Virginia ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for veterans. On our overall veterans measure, it scores 78.9 out of 100. Veteran affordability scores 100.0, alongside a 66.7 veteran-resources score.
Longwood University came in at #11 in this year's ranking. The school's overall veterans score is 78.8 out of 100. On affordability for veterans it scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7.
South University-Virginia Beach landed the #12 spot in Virginia this year. It scores 78.4 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. Veteran affordability scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7.
George Mason University landed the #13 spot in Virginia this year. George Mason University scores 78.2 out of 100 for veteran support overall. On affordability for veterans it scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7.
Radford University placed #14 among the best colleges for veterans in Virginia. The school's overall veterans score is 78.1 out of 100. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, and veteran resources 66.7.
University of Virginia's College at Wise landed the #15 spot in Virginia this year. On our overall veterans measure, it scores 78.0 out of 100. On affordability for veterans it scores 100.0, and veteran resources 33.3.
Hampton University earned the #16 position in Virginia. The school's overall veterans score is 77.5 out of 100. Veteran affordability scores 93.0, alongside a 66.7 veteran-resources score.
Liberty University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for veterans. Liberty University scores 76.7 out of 100 for veteran support overall. On affordability for veterans it scores 100.0, and veteran resources 66.7.
Shenandoah University landed the #18 spot in Virginia this year. The school's overall veterans score is 74.5 out of 100. On affordability for veterans it scores 75.3, alongside a 66.7 veteran-resources score.
Virginia Highlands Community College landed the #19 spot in Virginia this year. On our overall veterans measure, it scores 74.4 out of 100. Veteran affordability scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7.
Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach placed #20 among the best colleges for veterans in Virginia. It scores 74.2 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. On affordability for veterans it scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7.
Advanced Technology Institute placed #21 among the best colleges for veterans in Virginia. On our overall veterans measure, it scores 74.0 out of 100. On affordability for veterans it scores 100.0, and veteran resources 66.7.
Old Dominion University earned the #22 position in Virginia. It scores 73.4 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, and veteran resources 66.7.
Aviation Institute of Maintenance - Chesapeake landed the #23 spot in Virginia this year. It scores 72.9 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. Veteran affordability scores 100.0, alongside a 33.3 veteran-resources score.
Virginia Military Institute landed the #24 spot in Virginia this year. It scores 72.9 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. Veteran affordability scores 100.0, alongside a 33.3 veteran-resources score.
Virginia Wesleyan University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for veterans. Virginia Wesleyan University scores 71.4 out of 100 for veteran support overall. On affordability for veterans it scores 73.4, and veteran resources 66.7.
Not far behind, these colleges also rank among the best for veterans this year:
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
Our ranking weighs the factors that matter most to veteran and military-affiliated students: affordability and veteran financial benefits, academic quality, on-campus veteran resources and support services, veteran-friendly policies, and the size of the veteran student community.
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition.
References
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.
