College tuition fees rose 2.5% in Fairfax County in the 2022-23 school year, according to the latest disclosure from the National Center for Education Statistics.
Data shows that students paid $10,072 on average to attend higher education courses at the time, $246 more than the previous school year.
Among the 11 institutions providing full disclosure in the county, Standard Healthcare Services-College of Nursing stood out with the highest tuition fees, reaching an average of $21,887. Paul Mitchell the School-Tysons Corner followed with an average of $21,000 per year. Northern Virginia Community College students were offered the lowest annual tuition fees at $5,626.
At the time, at least $53.4 million in grants or scholarships were awarded to full-time undergraduates who started at the Fairfax County universities in the 2022-23 school year. Additionally, federal student loans reached more than $18.8 million.
Currently there are 13 higher education institutions in Fairfax County, including CET-Alexandria, Northern Virginia School of Therapeutic Massage, and Chamberlain University-Virginia.
Undergraduate education costs have seen a significant increase over the past few decades. Data shows a 169% rise in the average total cost, including tuition, fees, room, and board, between 1980 and 2020.
According to a 2023 College Board report, in-state students at public universities paid an average of $11,260, while out-of-state students paid $29,150 in the 2023-24 academic year.
Meanwhile, student loan debt has steadily increased over the last 30 years, reaching $1.75 trillion in 2024, averaging a total of $28,950 per borrower. Federal loans make up 92% of the debt, with over half of students at both public and private four-year colleges graduating with student loans.
Of the 13 institutions in Fairfax County, two did not provide detailed data on tuition fees, including Washington University of Science and Technology and Northern Virginia School of Therapeutic Massage.
Available data sometimes exceeds 100% due to rounding and administrative calculations.
| Institution | Number of Students Receiving Grants | Total Amount of Grants Received | Average Amount of Grant Per Student | Number of Students Receiving Loans | Total Amount of Loans Received | Average Amount of Loans Per Student |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chamberlain University-Virginia | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Northern Virginia Community College | 2,521 | $19,087,521 | $7,571 | 697 | $3,488,644 | $5,005 |
| CET-Alexandria | 10 | $54,835 | $5,484 | 11 | $74,774 | $6,798 |
| Fairfax University of America | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| American Massage & Bodywork Institute | 29 | $118,512 | $4,087 | 28 | $158,771 | $5,670 |
| Northern Virginia School of Therapeutic Massage | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Standard Healthcare Services-College of Nursing | 166 | $1,032,906 | $6,222 | 175 | $1,617,220 | $9,241 |
| George Mason University | 2,902 | $32,824,937 | $11,311 | 1,649 | $13,038,918 | $7,907 |
| Washington University of Science and Technology | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Avi Career Training | 20 | $92,000 | $4,600 | 20 | $89,721 | $4,486 |
| The Esthetic Institute | 24 | $94,105 | $3,921 | 26 | $139,953 | $5,383 |
| Dermal Science International Aesthetics and Nail Academy | 18 | $74,232 | $4,124 | 24 | $131,907 | $5,496 |
| Paul Mitchell the School-Tysons Corner | 0 | $0 | $0 | 8 | $67,666 | $8,458 |
