Virginia is a state rich in U.S. history. It is also home to major metropolitan areas and large natural landscapes, with about 16 million acres of forestland. Combine that setting with a range of public universities that publish comparatively accessible in-state rates, and Virginia can be a strong option for student life. In this article, we will be covering affordable universities in Virginia for in-state, out-of-state, and international students.
Affordable Schools in Virginia for International Students
1. Virginia State University, Petersburg
- Published Tuition and Mandatory Fees: $10,418 (In-State) | $23,404 (Out-of-State & International)
VSU is a public HBCU founded in 1882 and one of Virginia’s two land-grant institutions. The university is set on a 231-acre campus and also operates a 412-acre agricultural research facility. VSU’s latest posted schedule lists 2025-2026 tuition and mandatory fees; the university has also announced a 2026-2027 increase, so students should confirm the latest billable rate before enrolling.
Its in-state costs make it a sound choice for Virginia residents, and its out-of-state and international costs are still competitive among several public universities in the state.
2. Norfolk State University, Norfolk
- Tuition and Required Fees: $10,842 (In-State) | $23,804 (Out-of-State & International)
Norfolk State University is a public HBCU in Norfolk. Students can choose from more than 64 undergraduate majors, minors, graduate programs, and doctoral programs, including 31 bachelor’s degree programs.
These rates keep NSU among the more affordable public options in Virginia on this list, especially for non-resident and international students comparing total tuition and required fees.
3. James Madison University, Harrisonburg
James Madison University is a large public university with more than 70 majors and more than 130 total academic programs. The older employment-ranking claim has been removed because the article should rely on current, verifiable sources rather than an outdated ranking reference.
Its tuition and required fees are higher than several other schools in this list. However, JMU remains a strong option for students who want a large-campus experience and a wide range of academic choices.
4. Radford University, Radford
Radford University offers programs in a setting that supports outdoor recreation in Southwest Virginia, including hiking, paddling, and other mountain-region activities. The university’s current tuition page separates tuition from mandatory fees, so the figures above combine full-time undergraduate tuition and mandatory annual fees.
The tuition and required fees are no longer among the very lowest in Virginia, but Radford can still be worth comparing for students interested in its location, academic offerings, and campus environment.
5. The University of Virginia’s College at Wise, Wise
- Tuition and Required Fees: $12,075 (In-State) | $28,711 (Out-of-State & International)
This public liberal arts college is situated in the mountains of Southwest Virginia. UVA Wise lists 2026-2027 full-time tuition and required fees for Virginia residents, non-Virginia residents, and eligible ARC/TAG students.
The in-state cost is in the lower range among the universities listed here, while the non-resident rate is higher. Students from Kentucky, Tennessee, or eligible Appalachian Regional Commission areas should also check UVA Wise’s ARC/TAG rate, which is separate from the standard out-of-state rate.
6. Old Dominion University, Norfolk
With a broad selection of programs, Old Dominion University serves students on its Norfolk campus and through online options. The university’s current student-cost page estimates main-campus undergraduate tuition and fees using 30 credit hours per academic year.
ODU’s in-state tuition and fees can still be competitive for Virginia residents, but its out-of-state and international cost is higher than several other schools in this article.
7. University of Mary Washington, Fredericksburg
The University of Mary Washington is a public liberal arts and sciences university in Fredericksburg. The past reference to a 2019 College Factual ranking has been removed because it is outdated. UMW’s current student accounts page lists 2026-2027 full-time undergraduate semester totals, which are doubled above to show the estimated academic-year tuition and auxiliary fee total.
The quality of education here remains a major draw for students looking for a smaller public university experience. While UMW is not the cheapest option on this list for Virginia residents, it remains useful to compare because of its liberal arts focus and residential campus environment.
Virginia residents often have a strong financial reason to study in-state because public universities charge different rates for resident and non-resident students. Several universities listed above have relatively accessible in-state tuition and required fees, while out-of-state and international students should compare total costs carefully because non-resident rates can be much higher.
We hope this article on affordable universities in Virginia was helpful. If you are interested in studying abroad, check out the Available Programs for International Students!
