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Area Colleges & Universities

Central Virginia offers a wealth of postsecondary educational resources. In fact, Region 2000 is home to four liberal arts colleges, one university, one community college, and two business colleges. Moreover, just 90 miles from Region 2000's borders are the University of Virginia and Virginia Tech—both of which regularly collaborate with area businesses on R&D projects, internships, and other programs.

The region's colleges and universities produce more than 2,000 graduates per year, and nearby institutions contribute another 10,000 annually—offering area businesses a continuous pool of educated employees.

Extensive engineering studies opportunities include an innovative new engineering program for women at Sweet Briar College offering a B.S. in Engineering Science and a B.A. in Integrated Engineering & Management.

Lynchburg is also served by satellite campus locations of the University of Virginia, Averett University, and Bluefield College, which collectively offer programs ranging from complete graduate degrees to single-day seminars.

A Replenishing Pool of Technically Skilled Talent

The Region’s six colleges and universities offer diverse technically-oriented courses, including, computer sciences/IT/IMS, engineering, environmental sciences, physics, chemistry, and electronics. Every year, several hundred students graduate with degrees in these specialized fields—while a combined enrollment of more than 16,000 other students pursue degrees (and ultimately enter the national workforce) in all other academic disciplines. (All area colleges and universities also offer adult/continuing education programs, as well.) These institutions provide area employers with a prime source of energetic and well-educated new talent.

Liberty University	Founded 1971 Private, religious Four-year Graduate Coeducational 9,600 students Majors include computer science, business administration, telecommunications, and the new School of Law
Lynchburg College	Founded 1903 Private, liberal arts Four-year Graduate Coeducational 2,200 students Masters programs include business administration and accounting, business internships
Randolph College	Founded 1891 Private, liberal arts Four-year Coeducational 730 students “Prime Time” program offered to continue education for re-entry in job market, business internships available
Sweet Briar College	Founded 1901 Private, liberal arts Four-year Women only 600 students “Turning Point” program offered to continue education for re-entry in job market, business internships available Recently instituted School of Engineering
Virginia University of Lynchburg	Founded 1886 Private Four-year Coeducational 150 students Programs leading to B.A. in Christian education and an M.A. in Christian education or divinity
Central Virginia Community College	Founded 1967 Public Two-year Coeducational 4,100 students Courses leading to associate degrees in the arts and sciences; specialized training for local employees in cooperation with local industry and business
Miller-Motte Business College (formerly Phillips Business College)	Private Two-year Coeducational 200 students Offers secretarial science, business administration, accounting, and data processing
National College of Business and Technology	Founded in 1886 Private Two-year Coeducational 400 students Offers administrative proffesional, medical, computers, accounting, and business management

Colleges & Universities within 90 miles of Region 2000

Also within a 90-mile radius of Region 2000's boarders are more than a dozen respected colleges and universities:

• Averett University
• Danville Community College
• Ferrum College
• Hampden-Sydney
• Hollins University
• Jefferson College of Health Sciences
• Longwood
• Roanoke College
• Roanoke Higher Education Center
• Southern Virginia University
• University of Virginia
• Virginia Western Community College
• Virginia Tech
• VMI
• Washington & Lee

Distance Learning

The Center for Advanced Engineering and Research (CAER) mission is to foster the growth of high potential industry in the region by assisting them in adopting innovative technology from Virginia's leading research universities and federal labs. It offers 15 master's degree programs, all conducted in flexible, interactive class structures. This distance learning graduate program works in conjuction with the Commonwealth Graduate Engineering Program (CGEP) and five universities in Virginia: George Mason University, Old Dominion University, the University of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Virginia Tech. Non-degree courses of study are also available.

Old Dominion University offers a Teletechnet program as well. One can earn his or her four-year degree in a range of engineering and science-based fields from ODU.

Moreover, several communities within Region 2000 have distance-learning sites, enabling students in the outlying counties to take CVCC courses close to home, without having to drive to the main campus. Satellite campuses include Altavista, Bedford, and Brookneal.