Why Virginia Wesleyan Online

We’re accredited. Virginia Wesleyan University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, and masters degrees. Questions about the accreditation of Virginia Wesleyan University may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

We’re established. Founded in 1961, Virginia Wesleyan has enjoyed steady enrollment gains and attained membership in the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges. The first commencement was held in May 1970, graduating 41 pioneering students and now Virginia Wesleyan has grown to more than 10,000 alumni.

We're scholarly. Our faculty members are more than professors; they’re scholars, mentors, and friends. Ninety percent hold a doctorate or the highest degree in their field.

We're diverse. Recognized by U.S. News & World Report in three categories of its 2023 Best Colleges guide, ranked among the top institutions in "Ethnic Diversity" among liberal arts institutions, featured as a Best National Liberal Arts College, and also named a Top Performer on Social Mobility in that category.

We're nationally recognized. Selected for inclusion among U.S. News & World Report's 2022 Best Online Bachelor's Programs, with the undergraduate online business degree highlighted in the discipline-specific category; Selected for inclusion in the 2024 edition of The Best 389 Colleges and featured in the Mid-Atlantic category of 2024 Best Colleges: Region by Region; Selected by The Princeton Review as one of the most environmentally responsible colleges; profiled in its Guide to Green Colleges: 2022 Edition.

We're curious. Research is an integral part of the VWU experience. You don’t have to wait until graduate school to pursue in-depth study of a subject near to your heart.

We’re community minded. In keeping with our Wesleyan tradition, we believe higher education is about more than gaining knowledge; it’s about giving back and reaching out to those in need.

We're green. The environment is serious business at VWU. You can major and minor in earth and environmental sciences, environmental studies, marine science, and sustainability management. The Greer Environmental Sciences Center, a state-of-the-art facility, and our partnerships with the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center and the Virginia Institute for Marine Science further demonstrate our commitment in this area. 

We’re global. The Virginia Wesleyan University Global Campus serves online, evening and weekend, international, early enrollment/advanced scholars, and non-credit learners. Fully integrated with Virginia Wesleyan's academic program, VWU Global offers numerous opportunities for students who are degree seeking, continuing their education, and interested in being lifelong learners.

We’re expanding. VWU is continually expanding its academic offerings to meet the needs of those we serve. The university has recently introduced several new programs as part of its expanding online curriculum. These additions include two master's degrees and an associate's degree-completion program, catering to a wide range of career aspirations and educational goals.