Virginia Beach’s exceptional schools aren’t just a perk—they’re a major draw for top talent. From nationally recognized public schools to acclaimed universities, Virginia Beach offers a powerful education ecosystem that prioritizes learning at every level.
Public Schools
K-12 Excellence
Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) is the fourth largest school system in Virginia—and one of the top-performing in the nation. With 86 fully-accredited schools supporting a diverse, high-achieving student population, Virginia Beach is committed to ensuring every child is future-ready.
More than 50% of the city’s budget funds public education
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accreditation successPrograms at a glance
- Specialized academies in STEM, global studies, foreign languages, legal, business, performing arts, and more.
- Advanced academic and gifted programs, including International Baccalaureate.
- Dual language immersion program in Spanish.
- Technical and Career Education (TCE) to help students earn real-world credentials, and an Advanced Technology Center providing in-demand technical training.
- Robust athletics and arts programs to support whole-student development.
VBCPS is a 16-year recipient of the Best Communities for Music Education (NAMM Foundation )—an honor only 7% of U.S. school districts receive.
Higher Education
Virginia Beach sits at the heart of one of Virginia’s most dynamic academic regions, boasting over 100,000 post-secondary students—and more than 13,000 graduates fueling the workforce pipeline each year. Below are just a few of the 33 colleges, universities, and trade schools that contribute to our highly educated, workforce-ready population.
- Batten University (formerly Virginia Wesleyan University) in Virginia Beach, the region’s premier liberal arts university.
- Regent University in Virginia Beach, consistently ranked among the best graduate schools in the nation.
- Old Dominion University, a public research university leading in engineering, modeling, and simulation.
- Eastern Virginia Medical School at ODU, one of the top-ranked medical schools in the state.
- Norfolk State University, a vibrant HBCU prominent in the fields of psychology and business.
- Christopher Newport University, a top-ranked liberal arts university.
- Hampton University, one of the oldest and highest-ranking HBCUs in the world.
- The College of William & Mary, one of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious public universities.
- Tidewater Community College boasts a strong career certification program.
- ECPI University, Sentara College of Health Sciences, Bryant & Stratton, and other specialty schools that offer degrees or certifications