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Postsecondary Education Options

Students are encouraged to identify their best-fit choice opportunities that align with student-driven values, interests, and goals. Accreditation and state licensures ensure the quality of the education recognized by other organizations. For more information on accreditation, visit the Department of Education.

Career and Technical CTE Institutions

Students are seeking to learn a specific trade and skill for employment. Curriculum is highly specialized with a focus on the skills necessary for industry and career success. Degrees offered include credentials, certificates, and/or associate applied science degrees.

Community College/Junior College (Two Year)

Students are seeking a traditional academic continued education, including core subject course work in addition to elective/major concentrations. Degrees offered include associate degrees, certificates, and applied studies. Often students seek community college with the intention of transferring to a university to complete their bachelor's degree with two remaining years following the completion of an associate degree. Virginia Community College System partners with the Virginia public colleges in guaranteed admissions agreements specific to the university's expectations. See Northern Virginia Community College to learn more about these agreements and program offerings.

University and Four-Year College Institutions

Students are seeking a traditional academic education with core subject course work in addition to majors of study. These institutions often offer graduate degree programs after the completion of a bachelor's degree. Degrees offered include Bachelor of Arts and/or Science, and some also offer associate degrees, certifications, and graduate level degrees. Schools may be public, receiving funding from the state, or private, not receiving funding from the state. Financial opportunities exist at each type of institution and should be researched prior to applying.

Take a deep dive into your postsecondary education options here.

What Are Colleges Looking For?

Colleges take a holistic approach to the application process. Admissions officers report that course rigor in areas that interest the student is key to demonstrated college readiness. The overall best match between the student and institution is a high predictor of success and college completion. College entrance exams, while optional for admissions in some cases, could still be used for qualifications for merit scholarships and/or honors programs. Students should create a list of schools that match their values, interests, and goals. Then, students should take a deep dive into each institution's programs of study, scholarships, and honors programs.

Selective Institutions Where 100+ PWCS Students Apply

Data below is based on reported acceptance information reported for the class of 2023 from Prince William County Public Schools.

	Student Reported Acceptance Rate	Average GPA of accepted students	Average SAT of accepted students (combined Verbal and Math)	Average ACT of accepted students (composite score)
Most Selective - National Examples: Princeton University, Cornell University, Duke University, Stanford University, John Hopkins University	1-3%	4.4	1368	31
Highly Selective - VA Examples: University of Virginia, College of William & Mary, University of Richmond, Virginia Tech	8-28%	4.3	1161	28
Very Selective - VA Examples: George Mason, Marymount University, James Madison University, Shenandoah University, Christopher Newport University, Old Dominion University	40-49%	3.8	887	23
Moderately Selective - VA Examples: Virginia Commonwealth University, Liberty University, Radford University, Longwood University	49-51%	3.7	817	23

PWCS Student Acceptance Rates at Popular Colleges

The class of 2023 reported admission decisions prior to graduation. Below are the student self-reported acceptance rates of colleges where more than 85 students applied.

College	Percentage
American University	21%
Boston University	6%
Bridgewater College	52%
Brown University	2%
Carnegie Mellon University	2%
Christopher Newport University	47%
Clemson University	21%
Coastal Carolina University	40%
Columbia University in the City of New York	2%
Cornell University	3%
Duke University	0%
East Carolina University	41%
Florida State University	9%
George Mason University	48%
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus	6%
Hampton University	33%
Harvard University	1%
Howard University	15%
James Madison University	40%
Johns Hopkins University	2%
Liberty University	46%
Longwood University	49%
Louisiana State University	35%
Mary Baldwin University	42%
Marymount University	40%
Morgan State University	37%
NCAA Eligibility Center	22%
New York University	4%
Norfolk State University	38%
North Carolina A&T State University	29%
North Carolina State University at Raleigh	13%
Northeastern University	12%
Ohio State University-Main Campus	19%
Old Dominion University	49%
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Main Campus	31%
Princeton University	1%
Radford University	51%
Roanoke College	47%
Shenandoah University	40%
Stanford University	3%
Syracuse University	12%
Temple University	51%
The George Washington University	12%
The University of Alabama	37%
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	5%
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville	16%
Towson University	26%
University of Chicago	1%
University of Florida	10%
University of Lynchburg	53%
University of Mary Washington	42%
University of Maryland-College Park	13%
University of Miami	7%
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor	5%
University of Pennsylvania	1%
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus	31%
University of Richmond	8%
University of South Carolina-Columbia	23%
University of Southern California	4%
University of Virginia-Main Campus	16%
Vanderbilt University	8%
Virginia Commonwealth University	50%
Virginia State University	52%
Virginia Tech	28%
Washington and Lee University	7%
West Virginia University	49%
William & Mary	18%
Yale University	2%

College Admission Standardized Testing Framework

The coronavirus pandemic introduced college admission changes to the testing options for the admission into many colleges, several of which have chosen to continue with these options currently. Each institution decides what requirements and options exist around standardized testing and admission into their institution. Testing policies around optional, blind, or flexible reporting differ from college to college (ex. eligible GPA)

Test-blind admissions is exactly what it sounds like: whether or not a student decides to send their test scores, they won’t be considered as part of the application evaluation.
Test-optional lets students decide whether or not they want to submit test scores with their application. Most test-optional schools will consider SAT and ACT scores if they are submitted but focus on other factors they believe are stronger predictors of a student’s potential.
Test flexible ;colleges or universities allow students to choose which type of test (or tests) they’d like to submit with their application. If students want to submit the SAT or ACT, they’re welcome to do so. Other options include an International Baccalaureate exam or an Advanced Placement test.

*Note: Student SAT/ACT test data does not represent admission outcomes related to test scores. These students may have applied test optional or test blind. It is always best to check the admission requirements and statistics on the college or university's website.