Overview
Enrollment
Virginia Wesleyan University sits on a 300-acre wooded campus straddling the border of Norfolk and Virginia Beach, Virginia, approximately 15 miles from downtown Norfolk and the Atlantic coast. Established in 1961 by the United Methodist Church, the institution operated as a college until achieving university status in 2017. The campus features Georgian-style brick architecture arranged in four academic villages, with most students residing in on-campus housing communities. VWU maintains a liberal arts focus with notable programs in environmental studies, business, and social sciences, while operating as an NCAA Division III institution competing in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. The university's Greer Environmental Sciences Center serves as a cornerstone facility for research and ecological study, reflecting the institution's emphasis on environmental stewardship and hands-on learning.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
VWC is rated within the lower 46% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 5 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Virginia Wesleyan College within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#679 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#451 in Best Private Colleges in the U.S.
#24 in Best Colleges in Virginia
#12 in Best Private Colleges in Virginia
#72 in Best Value Colleges in Virginia
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 1140/1350 |
| ACT | 28/29 |
| GPA | 3.39 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | - |
| Applicant Competition | Low |
| Application Fee | $0 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,500 |
| Other Fees | $950 |
| Room and Board | $11,513 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $3,100 |
| Total One Year Cost | $53,073 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Business | 16% |
| Social Sciences | 14% |
| Communication | 10% |
| Education | 8% |
| Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting | 8% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering VWC are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=234173 IPEDS survey data for Virginia Wesleyan College.
Current students may use the Virginia Wesleyan College GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025