Averett University is a private, not-for-profit institution located in Danville, anchor Virginia. Founded in 1859, it is a small university with a total enrollment of approximately 1,476 students, including 1,244 undergraduates. The university is perhaps best known for its Graduate and Professional Studies (GPS) program, which has offered online and hybrid degree options to working adults for over 30 years.
History and Institutional Profile
Averett operates as a four-year institution offering associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees, along with postbaccalaureate and post-master’s certificates. The university’s main campus is located at 420 W Main St in Danville, a small city in southern Virginia near the North Carolina border.
The student body is diverse in terms of race and ethnicity. According to Fall 2024 data, 49.2 percent of undergraduates are White, 25.6 percent are Black or African American, 7.7 percent are non-resident aliens, and 4.5 percent identify with two or more races. The gender split is nearly even, with 51.3 percent women and 48.7 percent men.
Academics and Programs
Averett’s academic offerings are concentrated in professional fields. The most popular programs by completions in 2024-2025 include Registered Nursing (77 bachelor’s degrees), Business Administration and Management (49 bachelor’s and 20 master’s degrees), and Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration (20 bachelor’s and 5 master’s degrees). Other notable programs include Biology, Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology, and Speech Communication and Rhetoric.
The university also offers graduate programs in Education, including Curriculum and Instruction, Educational Leadership, and Special Education, as well as a Master of Science in Criminal Justice with concentrations in Disaster Management and Administration and Leadership.
For traditional undergraduate students, Averett offers a “Degree in Three” program that allows students to complete their degree in three years by taking a mix of in-person and online classes, including summer courses. This option is available in Business, Psychology, and Sociology/Criminal Justice.
Online and Adult Learning
Averett’s Graduate and Professional Studies (GPS) program is central to its identity. The university has been offering online courses since 1995 and uses the Moodle learning management system. The GPS program is designed for working adults, with four start dates per year (January, March, August, and October) and no requirement for real-time login.
The online division offers degrees in Business, Data Analytics, Education, Leadership, Criminal Justice, Sociology, Nursing, and Psychology. Student testimonials emphasize the flexibility and support provided by the program, with many students citing the ability to balance work and family responsibilities while pursuing their degrees.
Averett also has partnerships with area employers including Verizon, Canon, and UPS for its market-ready curriculum.
Tuition and Financial Aid
For the 2025-2026 academic year, tuition and fees for full-time, first-time undergraduates are $38,550. On-campus room and board is $14,530, while off-campus housing is estimated at $11,870. Books and supplies are estimated at $1,200. The average net price for federal loan recipients is $26,542.
In November 2025, Averett announced a new simplified tuition plan for incoming students beginning in 2026-2027. The plan aims to reduce overall tuition, streamline fees, and eliminate confusing “discounts” and variable scholarships. University President Dr. Thomas Powell stated the goal is to ensure “Averett is one of the most affordable private universities in Virginia”.
Under the new plan, a comprehensive fee will cover technology, library services, student activities, health services, public safety, and insurance. Certain programs like aviation and equestrian will continue to have separate fees.
Accreditation
Averett University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, and master’s degrees. The nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), covering both the Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing.
The teacher preparation program is approved by the Virginia Department of Education, and the university is approved for payment for veterans.
Rankings and Recognition
Averett has received recognition in various rankings. U.S. News & World Report ranked it No. 21 among 93 schools on its “2022 Best Regional Colleges in the South” list, No. 12 for best value, and No. visit this web-site 14 for upward social mobility. The Princeton Review has ranked Averett as one of the “Best in the Southeast” for four consecutive years, and the university has been recognized as a College of Distinction for its commitment to engaged students, great teaching, vibrant community, and successful outcomes.
Averett has also been recognized for its support of military students, ranking among the top 20 percent of America’s most military-friendly schools by G.I. Jobs for five consecutive years.
Admissions
Averett maintains an accessible admissions policy. The university has a test-optional admissions policy for undergraduate applicants. For the 2024-2025 cycle, the admission rate was approximately 48 percent. Under the new direct admission plan announced in 2025, high school seniors on track to graduate with a GPA of 2.5 or higher who have completed at least three high school math courses are automatically admitted.
Conclusion
Averett University occupies a distinct niche in Virginia higher education: a small, private institution with a long history of serving adult learners through flexible online and hybrid programs. Its strengths lie in professional fields like nursing, business, and criminal justice, and its new tuition plan represents a significant effort to make private education more transparent and affordable. For working adults in Virginia and beyond seeking a degree that fits around their existing responsibilities, More Bonuses Averett offers a pragmatic and accessible option.