The Norfolk State University (NSU), located in Virginia Beach, was founded in 1935. It is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. It has approximately 6,000 graduate and undergraduate students. The school maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 17 to 1 and its goal is to offer a broad liberal arts education to an ethnically diverse population. Some of the majors offered include accounting, finance information management, marketing and entrepreneurship, education, health, English and foreign languages, fine arts, history, mass communications and journalism, biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, biotechnology and biomedical sciences, mathematics, nursing, physics, and tourism and hospitality. As of 2011 the tuition fee for an in-state undergraduate student is $275.39/credit hour and for the in-state graduate student, the rate is $399.65/credit hour. For the out-of-state students, the undergraduate rate is $710.50/credit hour and $1,106.18 for the graduate students. Students face additional payments as well, like the application fee of $35, commencement fee of $130, continuing registration fee of $50 and orientation/matriculation fee of $35.
The Old Dominion University was founded as a branch of the University of William and Mary in 1930, and became its own independent university in 1969. It is an accredited school by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. According to the Princeton Review, it is rated as the best Southeastern College. It was rated as a top 15 school for Global Management (MBA) by Entrepreneur Magazine, and was rated as a top 100 school in the world by U.S. News and World Report magazine. As of February 2011, there was a total enrollment of 24,466 students with 18,965 of those being undergradate and 5,501 being graduate students. The school maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of 21 to 1. It offers majors in business and public administration, education, criminal justice, economics, dental hygiene, acting, supply chain management, sociology, ocean and earth science psychology, engineering and technology, and computer science among others. The rate for in-state and out-of-state undergraduate students is $249/credit hour and $697/credit hour respectively in early 2011. For the graduate school, the rate for the in-state and out-of-state students is $358/credit hour and $903/credit hour respectively. Scholarships such as merit-based scholarships, endowed scholarships, need-based scholarships, and scholarships from an outside agency are accepted in Old Dominion University.
The Tidewater Community College (TCC) is located in the South Hampton Roads area of Virginia Beach. It has been cited by the American Council on Education as one of eight "Promising Practices" colleges and universities in the country for its work in international education. It has a student body of about 40,000 and was founded in 1968. The school's mission is to assist students whether they are looking to transfer to a four-year school or if they just want to take some classes for general interest or to improve job opportunities The community college offers over 150 certificate and degree programs, including an associate of arts, associate of science, associate of applied arts, associate of applied science, fire science, registered nursing, health professions, health information technology, information system technology, teacher preparation, interdisciplinary studies, and veterinary technology. The total tuition fee cited in early 2011 for one semester is $133.85 for Virginia residents, $148.85 for military contracts, and $327.45 for out-of-state residents. To be admitted in this community college, applicants must take and pass the assessment test. Prospective students must pay a testing fee of $4 prior to the examination.
The Advance Technology Institute is a certified NATEF (national automotive technicians education foundation) vocational course for automotive repair. It is also accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges. The school is located in Hampton Roads, which is an urban part of Virginia Beach. Its programs include 2-year courses on automotive technology, heavy vehicle technology, maritime welding technology, and HVAC technology. ATI also offers vocational courses on commercial driving, diesel/heavy vehicle training, and refrigeration training. The program also job placement assistance once you complete your certification. The annual fee tuition fee as of early 2011 is $11,735 for in-district, in-state, and out-of-state. Student housing is offered for $1620/semester for students who are far from home. The school also has special tuition assistance to military vets. When applying for admission, a prospective student must pay an application fee of $100.