Accredited Online Colleges in Virginia (VA)

The Commonwealth of Virginia is known for its colonial history, gorgeous coastline and stunning views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, but it also happens to be a great place to work and gain a college education. Virginia has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation, at 6.3 percent as of March 2011, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Four cities in Virginia were listed among Money Magazine's 100 best places to live in the U.S.—Alexandria, Centreville, Chesapeake and Suffolk. Those who want to enter a business field here are in luck, as Virginia is headquarters to 31 Fortune 1000 firms, according to the Virginia Economic Development Partnership. Forbes.com and CNBC have both ranked Virginia highly as a top state for business.

Some of the best areas for jobs in Virginia include Richmond, Lynchburg, Virginia Beach and Roanoke, which include metro areas that were listed among Forbes.com's top 50 best places for business and careers in 2010. Norfolk and Chesapeake are also great areas for jobs. Richmond, Virginia's capital city, has an estimated 1.2 million people living in its metro area and a vast array of industries boosting its economy including law, finance and advertising. The Greater Richmond area is home to six Fortune 500 companies. Virginia Beach is also a great place to live and work with vibrant industries in tourism and agribusiness.

Virginia has a balanced economy with diverse industries. The high-tech industry is one of the most successful and fastest growing industries in the state. In fact, more than 16,900 high-tech establishments operate in Virginia, according to the Virginia Economic Development Partnership. Individuals who want to prepare for high-tech careers in Virginia would do well to pursue a college degree in information technology or computer science. Since Virginia is also home to 700 internationally-owned businesses, those who want to enter a business field here would do well to pursue a business degree or MBA with an emphasis in international business relations.

Virginia's many colleges contribute to an educated workforce. The state's higher education system includes 15 comprehensive public institutions and more than 50 private four-year institutions. In addition, the Virginia Community College System includes 23 public community colleges. Some of the biggest and most lauded schools in the state include the University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, College of William & Mary and Liberty University. The University of Virginia in Charlottesville ranks second in best public university rankings by U.S. News & World Report, while College of William & Mary ranks sixth and has long been considered to be a "public Ivy."