Virginia Wesleyan University

What Virginia Wesleyan University does

Virginia Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit liberal arts institution founded in 1961 and headquartered on a 300-acre campus in Virginia Beach, Virginia, affiliated with the United Methodist Church and accredited by SACSCOC. It serves approximately 5,075 learners across traditional undergraduate programs (~1,600 students, 47 majors, 30 minors), graduate programs (MBA, MEd, MAEd, Master of Environmental Studies, MA in Human Services, MA in Arts Leadership, MA in Applied Psychology), and the VWU Global Campus (online, evening, weekend, international, and non-credit learners at ~2,600 enrollment). Effective July 1, 2026, the institution will rebrand as Batten University and integrate Sentara College of Health Sciences as an operating division, extending its portfolio into CCNE-accredited nursing and ABHES-accredited health sciences programs.

The university's revenue model is tuition-driven, with graduate tuition at $555/credit hour, summer session at $450-$550/credit, and undergraduate tuition frozen for the sixth consecutive year. 99% of students receive financial assistance, and FY24 fundraising totaled $35M in gifts and commitments ($25.6M designated for financial aid) from 2,450+ donors. Distribution runs through the university's own enrollment portal, the Common App, VWU Global Campus, and partnerships including Lakeland University Japan (Tokyo), Sentara College of Health Sciences (Chesapeake), the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, and a network of internship partners spanning Fortune 500 firms, federal agencies (FBI, EPA, U.S. Marshals), and NATO. Facilities include the LEED Gold-certified Greer Environmental Sciences Center, the Ocean Explorer research vessel, and the forthcoming Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art on campus.

Name

Virginia Wesleyan University

Legal name

Virginia Wesleyan University

Website

https://vwu.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1961

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Virginia Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit liberal arts institution in Virginia Beach serving 5,075 learners across undergraduate, graduate, online, and continuing education programs, with 15:1 student-faculty ratio and NCAA Division III athletics, transitioning to Batten University in July 2026.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Religiously Affiliated Liberal Arts Colleges (EDAHACAF)

Keywords

• Liberal arts education
• Undergraduate degree programs
• Graduate degree programs
• Online learning programs
• Continuing education services

Headquarters

HQ city

Virginia Beach

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Undergraduate Tuition and Fees: Revenue from undergraduate degree programs including traditional day program, with tuition frozen for sixth consecutive year. Merit scholarships awarded to qualifying students.
2. Graduate Tuition: Revenue from graduate programs including MBA, MEd, MAEd, Master of Environmental Studies, MA in Human Services, and MA in Arts Leadership and Nonprofit Management. Cost per credit hour is $555.
3. Summer Session Tuition: Summer term undergraduate tuition at $450/credit with discounted housing options. Graduate tuition is $550/credit. Special rate of $285 per class for high school Early Enrollment students.
4. Evening and Weekend Program: Revenue from adult learners pursuing degrees through flexible evening and weekend formats, serving working adults with work, family, community, or military commitments.
5. Contributions and Donations: Annual giving from alumni, friends, corporations, and foundations. FY24 saw $35M total gifts and commitments, with $25.6M given specifically in financial aid. Over 2,450 donors supported students in FY24.
6. Room and Board: Revenue from on-campus housing and dining services, with food and housing rates available separately.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Virginia Wesleyan University is a private liberal arts and sciences university offering undergraduate degree programs (47 majors, 30 minors), graduate degree programs (MBA, MEd, MAEd, MEnv, MA in Human Services, MA in Arts Leadership and Nonprofit Management, MA in Applied Psychology), online and continuing education programs through VWU Global Campus, and health sciences education via the Sentara College of Health Sciences. The institution serves traditional students, adult learners, military/veterans, and international students across a 300-acre Virginia Beach campus and a Tokyo, Japan campus.

Product overview

Virginia Wesleyan University is a comprehensive university of the arts and sciences offering undergraduate, graduate, online, and continuing education programs across multiple academic divisions. The institution operates through several schools: Batten Honors College (elite honors program), Birdsong School of Social Science, D. Henry Watts School of Professional Studies, Joan P. Brock School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Susan S. Goode School of Arts and Humanities, and Jane P. Batten and David R. Black School for International Studies. VWU Global Campus serves online, evening/weekend, and non-traditional learners. The university offers graduate programs including MBA, MEd, MAEd, Master of Environmental Studies, Master of Arts in Human Services, Master of Arts in Arts Leadership and Nonprofit Management, and Master of Arts in Applied Psychology. Supporting services include The Athenaeum for experiential learning, Hofheimer Library, Malbon Center for Technology, Conference & Event Services, and Campus Security. Effective July 1, 2026, the institution rebrands as Batten University and integrates Sentara College of Health Sciences.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Batten Honors College: Elite honors college recruiting high-achieving students equipped to be problem solvers, environmentally-conscious, strategic-thinking global citizens.
• Birdsong School of Social Science
• D. Henry Watts School of Professional Studies
• Joan P. Brock School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences
• Susan S. Goode School of Arts and Humanities
• Jane P. Batten and David R. Black School for International Studies
• VWU Global Campus
• MyBeacon

Products and services

• Undergraduate Degree Programs Traditional undergraduate liberal arts and sciences degree programs with 47 majors and 30 minors across six academic schools, with tuition frozen for the sixth consecutive year and 99% of students receiving financial assistance.
• Master of Business Administration (MBA) Online 10-course MBA program that can be completed in 12 months, preparing professionals for career enhancement in the global marketplace with concentrations in Accounting, Finance, Healthcare Management, HR Management, Nonprofit Leadership, Project Management, Sport Leadership, and Supply Chain Management. Tuition is $555 per credit hour.
• Master of Education (MEd) - Teacher Leadership
• Master of Arts in Education (MAEd)
• Master of Environmental Studies (MEnv)
• Master of Arts in Human Services
• Master of Arts in Arts Leadership and Nonprofit Management
• Master of Arts in Applied Psychology
• Online Programs (VWU Global Campus) Comprehensive online degree programs including undergraduate and graduate offerings for distance learners, plus continuing education and IT boot camps serving approximately 2,600 learners.
• Evening and Weekend Program
• Online IT Boot Camps
• Workforce Development Workshops
• Summer Session
• Batten Honors College Highly selective endowed honors college that recruits high-achieving students and equips them to be problem solvers who are environmentally-conscious, strategic-thinking global citizens.
• Sentara College of Health Sciences Health sciences college offering programs including nursing (BSN), accredited by ABHES and CCNE. Effective July 1, 2026, became an operating division of Batten University.
• Global Scholars Program
• Tidewater Collegiate Academy
• Chesapeake Bay Academy

Quantifiable outcome

• 92% of graduates receive job offers or go onto graduate school
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Sentara College of Health SciencescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2026Effective July 1, 2026, Sentara College of Health Sciences officially became an operating division of Batten University. The college offers health sciences programs including nursing (BSN accredited by Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education) and other healthcare programs, expanding VWU's academic portfolio into healthcare education.
• Lakeland University JapancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVWU Global campus in Tokyo, Japan operates in partnership with Lakeland University Japan, known as the Jane P. Batten and David R. Black School for International Studies. Students can study abroad through the Global Scholars Program at this collaborative campus.
• Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for student research opportunities aboard the Ocean Explorer research vessel and collaborative environmental research. The Virginia Aquarium provides access to marine science education and research facilities complementing VWU's environmental sciences programs.
• Virginia Institute of Marine ScienceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional collaboration supporting marine science education and research opportunities for students through the Greer Environmental Sciences Center.
• Chesapeake Bay FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVWU honored as Conservationist of the Year by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation in 2018 for leadership and commitment to educating next generation of Chesapeake Bay leaders.
• Elizabeth River ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVWU advanced to Model Level status in the Elizabeth River Project's River Star Business program, recognizing commitment to environmental restoration and sustainability.
• Virginia Museum of Contemporary ArtminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art being constructed on VWU campus (opening in 2026), providing students access to art exhibitions and cultural programming.
• Chrysler Museum of ArtminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partnership providing cultural and educational opportunities for students through museum collaborations.
• Virginia Foundation for Independent CollegesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of 16 residential liberal arts colleges in the selective VFIC, an organization dedicated to advancing distinctive values and strengths of Virginia's leading liberal arts institutions.
• Virginia Beach Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Virginia Beach Public Schools for Teacher Education Program, including clinical experiences and the Downstream Collaborative Project where VWU students lead hands-on learning stations.
• Global Scholars Program Exchange PartnersminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational exchange partners for semester study abroad opportunities open to second, third, and fourth year students through the Global Scholars Program.
• Second Nature Climate Leadership NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of select group of 440 institutions nationwide taking action on climate and preparing students through research and education. Earned 'Marks of Distinction' as We are Still In participant.
• President's Alliance on Higher Education and ImmigrationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-partisan alliance dedicated to increasing understanding of how immigration policies impact students, campuses, and communities. President Miller is part of over 400 U.S. college and university leaders in this alliance.
• Intentional Endowments NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVWU is one of 58 select colleges and universities nationwide that are members of the Intentional Endowments Network for endowment fiduciaries investing for a thriving, sustainable economy.
• Norfolk SouthernminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFortune 500 company providing internship opportunities for VWU students in the Coastal Virginia region.
• NATOminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational military alliance providing internship opportunities for VWU students interested in international relations and security studies.
• FBIminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal law enforcement agency providing internship opportunities for VWU students in criminal justice and related fields.
• Environmental Protection AgencyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal agency providing internship opportunities for VWU students in environmental sciences and policy.
• DeloitteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional services firm providing internship opportunities for VWU business students.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Randolph-Macon College: Small, Methodist-affiliated private liberal arts college in Ashland, Virginia. Highly comparable to VWU in mission, denominational affiliation, residential scale, NCAA Division III athletics footprint, and Virginia regional recruiting base.
• Hollins University: Small private liberal arts institution in Roanoke, Virginia. Comparable to VWU in enrollment scale, liberal arts mission, NCAA Division III athletics, and Virginia regional draw, though organized as a women's college.
• Roanoke College: Small private liberal arts college in Salem, Virginia. Comparable to VWU in size, residential model, NCAA Division III footprint, Virginia regional market, and mix of traditional and pre-professional undergraduate programs.
• Sweet Briar College: Small private liberal arts college in Amherst County, Virginia. Comparable in residential scale, liberal arts mission, NCAA Division III athletics, and rural-Coastal-Virginia regional recruiting dynamics.
• Randolph College: Small private liberal arts college in Lynchburg, Virginia. Closely comparable to VWU in size, mission, NCAA Division III footprint, and Virginia regional positioning, with similar arts-and-sciences curricular emphasis.

Regional players

• Mary Baldwin University: Private university in Staunton, Virginia serving traditional undergraduates and adult learners. Comparable in size, Virginia regional focus, blended residential and online/continuing education model, and small liberal arts heritage.
• Shenandoah University: Private university in Winchester, Virginia offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs including health sciences. Comparable in regional Virginia positioning, private non-profit structure, and health-sciences portfolio that overlaps with VWU's planned Sentara expansion.
• Emory & Henry University: Small private liberal arts university in Emory, Virginia. Comparable in scale, NCAA Division III athletics, Methodist heritage, and rural Virginia regional draw.
• Christopher Newport University: Public university in Newport News, Virginia competing with VWU for the same Coastal Virginia undergraduate pool. Comparable in residential scale, NCAA Division III athletics, and regional recruiting catchment.

Emerging players

• Regent University: Private, faith-based university headquartered in Virginia Beach. Same city as VWU and competes for graduate, online, and adult learners in the Coastal Virginia market, though it is more graduate- and professionally-oriented.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/vawesleyan
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/VaWesleyan
• Facebookfacebook.com/batten
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/edu/virginia-wesleyan-college-32913
• Instagraminstagram.com/vawesleyan
• TikToktiktok.com/@vawesleyanuniversity

Compliance12 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Virginia Wesleyan University