12
Programs Ranked
$4,818
Avg CC Tuition
$139,350
HR Manager Salary (VA)
25
Fortune 500 HQs
Virginia has 12 ranked associate's HR programs anchored by the Virginia Community College System (VCCS), where in-state tuition averages $4,818/year. The state's 25 Fortune 500 headquarters, 11 of which sit in Fairfax County alone, fuel steady demand for entry-level HR coordinators. Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) leads with 803 annual business graduates and direct access to defense and tech employers.
Associate's in Human Resources Programs in Virginia: Overview
Virginia's HR labor market is shaped by a concentration of federal agencies and defense contractors that few states can match. The 11 Fairfax County-based Fortune 500 companies collectively generated $339 billion in revenue in fiscal year 2024. For entry-level HR workers, this translates to a steady pipeline of coordinator and assistant positions at employers like General Dynamics, Northrop Grumman, Capital One, and Booz Allen Hamilton.
An associate's degree from the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) provides the fastest affordable route into these roles. In-state tuition averages $4,818/year across 23 campuses, and the VCCS Guaranteed Admission Agreement provides transfer pathways to every public four-year university in the state. Graduates typically start as HR assistants, payroll coordinators, or recruiting support staff.
Virginia's regulatory environment is evolving. Effective July 1, 2025, the state's noncompete ban expands to cover all FLSA non-exempt employees, regardless of weekly earnings. Even entry-level HR coordinators need to understand this change, since they often process employment agreements and handle onboarding paperwork for new hires. The healthcare workplace violence reporting mandate (also effective July 1, 2025) adds another compliance layer for hospital and health system HR teams. Booz Allen Hamilton and SAIC, both headquartered in the NoVA corridor, hire entry-level HR coordinators who handle security clearance processing and ITAR-compliant onboarding for government contractors.
Source: Fortune 500, 2025
NoVA vs. Richmond vs. Hampton Roads: Entry-Level HR Market
Entry-Level HR Roles by Virginia Industry
General Dynamics (Reston), Northrop Grumman (Falls Church), Leidos, Booz Allen Hamilton, and SAIC collectively employ tens of thousands in Northern Virginia. Entry-level HR work at these employers involves processing security clearance paperwork (SF-86 forms), managing contractor onboarding checklists, and coordinating with facility security officers. Associate's graduates who understand ITAR and EAR compliance basics are especially valued.
Key Skills
Common Roles
- HR Assistant
- Onboarding Coordinator
- Personnel Security Specialist
Capital One (Fortune 500 No. 82) and Freddie Mac (No. 38) anchor Tysons Corner's financial corridor. HR assistants at these employers process high-volume hiring paperwork, coordinate background checks for FINRA-regulated positions, and support benefits enrollment for thousands of employees across multiple states.
Key Skills
Common Roles
- HR Coordinator
- Payroll Clerk
- Benefits Assistant
- Recruiting Coordinator
Virginia's state government employs over 100,000 workers, and the federal presence extends well beyond Northern Virginia into Richmond and Hampton Roads. Government HR involves classified position management, GS/SES pay scale administration, and employee relations within merit-system frameworks.
Key Skills
Common Roles
- HR Assistant (GS-5/7)
- Personnel Clerk
- Timekeeping Coordinator
Averett University
Averett University leads Virginia's associate's HR rankings with a score of 52.3/100. Located in Danville, the program produces 4 annual HR graduates. While smaller than the VCCS options, Averett provides a more personalized educational experience.
Program Highlights
- Score: 52.3/100
- 4 annual HR graduates (IPEDS 2023)
- Private university setting
Key Strengths
- Personalized instruction
- Small class sizes
- Transfer pathways available
Regent University
Regent University offers a SHRM-aligned HR program with ACBSP accreditation. Available online, on campus, and in hybrid format, making it accessible to working adults across Hampton Roads.
Program Highlights
- SHRM-aligned curriculum
- ACBSP-accredited
- Online/campus/hybrid delivery
- No GRE required
Key Strengths
- SHRM-aligned curriculum
- ACBSP-accredited
- Flexible delivery formats
Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach
Bryant & Stratton offers a 60-credit AAS in HR Specialist with SHRM-aligned curriculum and both online and campus delivery options. Graduates work as HR specialists, HR assistants, and recruiting coordinators.
Program Highlights
- SHRM-aligned curriculum
- 60 credits
- Online and campus options
- 4 annual HR graduates (IPEDS 2023)
Key Strengths
- SHRM-aligned curriculum
- Focused HR Specialist track
- Online flexibility
Sources
| 1 | Averett University | Danville, VA | Private | $38,400 | — | 4 | 52.3 |
| 2 | Regent University | Virginia Beach, VA | Private | $18,986 | — | 1 | 48.9 |
| 3 | Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach | Virginia Beach, VA | Private | $17,352 | — | 4 | 48.2 |
| 4 | Northern Virginia Community College | Annandale, VA | Public | $5,550 | — | 803 | 44.9 |
| 5 | Tidewater Community College | Norfolk, VA | Public | $4,818 | — | 222 | 37.4 |
| 6 | J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Richmond, VA | Public | $4,881 | — | 181 | 37.4 |
| 7 | Brightpoint Community College | Chester, VA | Public | $4,788 | — | 73 | 33.3 |
| 8 | Virginia Peninsula Community College | Hampton, VA | Public | $4,818 | — | 65 | 32.9 |
| 9 | Virginia Western Community College | Roanoke, VA | Public | $4,818 | — | 65 | 32.9 |
| 10 | Piedmont Virginia Community College | Charlottesville, VA | Public | $4,788 | — | 50 | 32.1 |
| 11 | University of Management and Technology | Arlington, VA | For-Profit | $9,360 | — | 7 | 30.9 |
| 12 | Columbia College | Vienna, VA | For-Profit | $0 | — | 7 | 19.5 |
How to Start an HR Career in Virginia with an Associate's Degree
Enroll in a VCCS Business or HR Program
The Virginia Community College System offers associate's degrees in business administration with HR electives at campuses statewide. NOVA (Annandale) serves Northern Virginia, Tidewater CC covers Hampton Roads, and J. Sargeant Reynolds covers Richmond. In-state tuition averages $4,818/year.
Build Security Clearance Readiness
If targeting Northern Virginia defense employers, maintain a clean credit and legal record during your program. Many defense HR positions require at minimum a Secret clearance, and the adjudication process reviews financial history. Understanding the SF-86 process gives you an edge over other entry-level candidates.
Earn the aPHR Certification
The [Associate Professional in Human Resources (aPHR)](/certifications/aphr/) from HRCI requires no prior HR experience and validates foundational knowledge. Pair it with your associate's degree to stand out when applying for HR assistant positions at defense contractors and government agencies.
Target Internships at F500 Employers
Capital One, Northrop Grumman, and Booz Allen Hamilton all run internship programs accessible to community college students. An internship at any of these employers provides direct exposure to enterprise HR systems and can convert to a full-time offer.
Plan Your Transfer Pathway
The VCCS Guaranteed Admission Agreement provides transfer pathways to George Mason, Virginia Tech, James Madison, and other public universities. Complete your associate's with a strong GPA, then transfer as a junior to pursue a [bachelor's in HR](/bachelors/virginia/) while working part-time in an entry-level HR role.
Career Paths
Processes onboarding paperwork, security clearance forms, and benefits enrollment at defense contractors and government agencies in Northern Virginia.
Manages payroll processing for multi-state employers, coordinating with HRIS systems at Capital One, Freddie Mac, and other financial employers.
Screens resumes, schedules interviews, and coordinates candidate travel for high-volume hiring at defense and tech employers.
Administers employee benefits enrollment and answers questions about federal contractor benefit packages.
Salary by Experience Level
Virginia HR Associate's Programs FAQ
Associate's in HR Programs in Nearby States
IPEDS 2023, SHRM Academic Alignment, AACSB, ACBSP
HR degree completions from IPEDS 2023 (sqrt normalized, cap 300), plus CIP code breadth and multi-level depth bonuses
SHRM-aligned curriculum (+15 pts) and AACSB (+10) or ACBSP (+5) business school accreditation
6-year graduation rate from IPEDS 2023
Carnegie 2021 classification (R1/R2 research universities score highest)
Completeness of IPEDS reporting (tuition, graduation rate, acceptance rate, Carnegie classification)
Data Sources & Methodology
Rankings based on program output (30%), curriculum quality (25%), student success (25%), institutional resources (15%), and data transparency (5%).
- 1.IPEDS 2023 — Program completions, tuition, and graduation rates
- 2.Bureau of Labor Statistics OES 2024 — HR occupation salaries by state and metro area
- 3.Fortune 500, 2025 — Company headquarters by state
- 4.SHRM — HR curriculum standards and academic alignment
Last updated: March 2026
Related HR Associate's Degree Resources
Taylor Rupe
Education Researcher & Data Analyst
B.A. Psychology, University of Washington · B.S. Computer Science, Oregon State University
Taylor combines training in behavioral science with data analysis to evaluate HR education programs. His research methodology uses IPEDS completion data, BLS employment statistics, and SHRM alignment data to produce evidence-based program rankings.