Virginia's innovative liberal arts university in Virginia Beach, becoming Batten University in 2026.
Virginia Wesleyan offers 70+ areas of study across four schools: Susan S. Goode School of Arts and Humanities, Joan P. Brock School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Birdsong School of Social Science, and D. Henry Watts School of Professional Studies. The Batten Honors College, founded in 2017, serves academically talented students with a mission to inspire leaders and environmental stewards. VWU Global Campus (established 2017) serves 2,601 learners through online, evening/weekend, and continuing education programs, including operations in Japan and workforce development partnerships. Graduate programs include MBA, MAEd, Master of Environmental Studies, Master of Arts in Human Services, and Master of Arts in Arts Leadership and Nonprofit Management.
The 300-acre Virginia Beach campus is organized into five residential villages with living-learning environments and housing units. Notable facilities include the Greer Environmental Sciences Center (dedicated 2017, recipient of Chesapeake Bay Foundation's National Conservationist Award), the 18-acre Wilson Arboretum (established 1995), and the rare 12-acre Beech Forest designated a Natural Heritage Resource. Over 13 miles of biking and hiking trails connect campus features. A $25 million Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art facility broke ground in August 2024. Students engage through 50+ organizations, 23 intercollegiate sports, fraternity/sorority life, and campus ministries. The university collaborates with Virginia Beach Economic Development on The Hive workforce center and operates educational programs at correctional facilities.
Virginia Wesleyan enrolls first-year, transfer, international, and graduate students through multiple pathways. The university offers early enrollment, evening/weekend, and online program options. Batten Honors College admits academically talented students. 99% of students receive financial assistance. The university freezes tuition for the sixth consecutive year and offers renewable merit scholarships, an expanded Work & Learn Program, and affordable 12-month course options to enhance affordability.
92% of graduates receive job offers or pursue graduate school. The university emphasizes engagement in Coastal Virginia's dynamic region through internships, undergraduate research, and community partnerships. VWU operates the Chesapeake Bay Academy for students with learning disabilities and the Tidewater Collegiate Academy as a teaching laboratory. In 2025, the university launched VWU-Chesapeake, a comprehensive program for incarcerated individuals at two correctional centers, demonstrating commitment to lifelong learning and service.