Best Associate's Mobile Development Degree Programs in Virginia
Northern Virginia Community College — Annandale, VA
Key Distinction: Northern Virginia Community College provides affordable Mobile Development education with flexible scheduling and transfer pathways to four-year universities.
Hakia Insight: Northern Virginia Community College's location in one of the nation's densest defense contractor corridors means graduates have unusual access to security clearance-required positions, which command 20-30% salary premiums over commercial mobile roles.
Northern Virginia Community College offers Mobile Development programs in Annandale, VA. As a public institution and community college, it provides accessible education pathways for students in the region.
Tidewater Community College — Norfolk, VA
Key Distinction: Offers up to five national certifications and provides hands-on experience with the mobile application life cycle, Android app creation, and proficiency in multiple programming languages including Javascript, Java and C++
Hakia Insight: Tidewater's five-certification pathway (Microsoft, Oracle, CompTIA, VMware) is uncommon at the associate level—students graduate with stackable credentials that employers recognize immediately, shortening the time between degree completion and senior developer positions.
At the associate's level, TCC's mobile development program provides real-world, hands-on experience in programming, mobile app development, and web development to prepare students for high-tech IT workplace demands. The program covers scripting languages, programming principles, and multi-media elements for cutting-edge websites and mobile applications.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in Mobile Development — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in Mobile Development — 2 years, online
Industry Partners
- Microsoft (tech)
- Oracle (tech)
- CompTIA (tech)
- VMware (tech)
Accreditations and Certifications
- Microsoft
- Oracle
- CompTIA
- VMware
Brightpoint Community College — Chester, VA
Key Distinction: Brightpoint Community College provides affordable Mobile Development education with flexible scheduling and transfer pathways to four-year universities.
Hakia Insight: Brightpoint Community College's Chester location sits within Richmond's emerging fintech corridor, giving students proximity to regional financial services firms that desperately need mobile developers familiar with payment systems and compliance frameworks.
Brightpoint Community College offers Mobile Development programs in Chester, VA. As a public institution and community college, it provides accessible education pathways for students in the region.
Piedmont Virginia Community College — Charlottesville, VA
Hakia Insight: PVCC's Mobile Innovation Lab and direct ties to the Charlottesville Tech Council create a rare advantage for community college students: the ability to contribute to regional innovation initiatives while still in school, turning coursework into published portfolio pieces.
At the associate's level, virginia's tech corridor extends well beyond Northern Virginia, and PVCC connects Charlottesville-area students to mobile development training that opens doors in a booming region. The program covers iOS and Android essentials plus web fundamentals, intentionally designed for both transfer pathways and direct employment. You'll graduate with hands-on project experience and the academic credentials to continue at University of Virginia or other four-year schools if you choose. This is a program that takes advantage of its location—connecting you to both local employers and the broader Virginia tech pipeline.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in Mobile Development — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in Mobile Development — 2 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
Industry Partners
- Local Tech Startups (internship)
- Charlottesville Tech Council (networking)
Career Outcomes
Median Salary: $52,000. Top Employers: Small tech firms, Regional businesses.
Admissions
GPA Requirement: 2.0.
Accreditations and Certifications
- Google Associate Android Developer
- Apple Developer Certification
ECPI University — Virginia Beach, VA
Key Distinction: ECPI University offers comprehensive Mobile Development programs preparing students for careers in technology.
Hakia Insight: ECPI's Virginia Beach footprint places graduates in a military-adjacent tech ecosystem where security-cleared mobile developers are scarce and valued—a competitive advantage over programs in saturated markets.
ECPI University offers Mobile Development programs in Virginia Beach, VA. As a private institution, it provides accessible education pathways for students in the region.
Columbia College — Vienna, VA
Key Distinction: Columbia College offers comprehensive Mobile Development programs preparing students for careers in technology.
Hakia Insight: Columbia College's Vienna location puts students within commuting distance of Northern Virginia's intelligence community tech contractors, where mobile development skills in classified environments command significant security clearance premium.
Columbia College offers Mobile Development programs in Vienna, VA. As a private institution, it provides accessible education pathways for students in the region.
Best Bachelor's Mobile Development Degree Programs in Virginia
William & Mary — Williamsburg, VA
Hakia Insight: William & Mary's legacy as the nation's second-oldest university paradoxically frees it from the pressure to chase every tech trend—its mobile development curriculum likely emphasizes timeless software architecture principles over framework chasing, producing developers who adapt across platforms rather than specializing in one.
At the bachelor's level, william & Mary offers the prestige of being the nation's first law school with comprehensive online graduate business programs that deliver strong career outcomes, including average MBA graduate salaries of $135,879 and robust career services through the Graduate Career Management Center.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Mobile Development — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Mobile Development — 4 years, online
Career Outcomes
Median Salary: $NaN.
Admissions
GPA Requirement: 3.5 or higher is generally preferred. Application Deadline: Mar. 1, 2026 for potential fall 2026 admission.
Requirements:
Washington and Lee University — Lexington, VA
Key Distinction: W&L's mobile development program uniquely integrates human-centered design, ethical technology frameworks, and liberal arts breadth, producing developers who understand both technical architecture and societal impact.
Hakia Insight: W&L's insistence on integrating ethical technology frameworks into mobile development means graduates can articulate the societal consequences of their design choices—a skill that separates senior architects from junior developers in leadership hiring conversations.
At the bachelor's level, washington and Lee's mobile development program is built on the liberal arts computing tradition, meaning it refuses the false choice between breadth and depth. Rather than pigeonholing students into either frontend or backend specialization, the program insists graduates understand full-stack architecture while also maintaining fluency in humanities and social sciences—particularly valuable for mobile developers who will design experiences for diverse users. The curriculum integrates human-centered design from the outset, with required coursework in user research, accessibility, and ethical design implications of mobile technologies. Faculty maintain active research interests in human-computer interaction, privacy-preserving mobile systems, and digital equity, embedding these intellectual frameworks into mobile development coursework. This means W&L mobile developers graduate with rare fluency in both technical implementation and the sociological questions surrounding technology adoption. Capstone projects frequently emerge from partnerships with nonprofits, social enterprises, and civic organizations—students build real applications for real communities rather than shipping toy projects. The school's residential location in Lexington, Virginia, combined with its small size, creates an environment where cross-disciplinary collaboration is inevitable rather than aspirational. Recruiting firms note that W&L graduates often stand out in interviews precisely because they can articulate *why* design decisions matter, not just implement them technically. Career trajectories lean toward product-focused roles, user experience engineering, and technology leadership in mission-driven organizations.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Mobile Development — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Mobile Development — 4 years, online
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: UTC Aerospace Systems, Clark Construction, Raytheon, Turner Construction Company, National Grid, Whiting-Turner Construction Company, Apptech Solutions, Space-X.
Location Advantages:
Christopher Newport University — Newport News, VA
Key Distinction: CNU's mobile development program stands out for its early hands-on project requirement combined with a dedicated internship placement pipeline into regional tech companies, ensuring students graduate with both portfolio work and professional experience.
Hakia Insight: CNU's placement into a less-saturated regional internship market paradoxically benefits students: less competition means earlier offers, more meaningful project responsibility during internships, and stronger negotiating positions for full-time conversion.
At the bachelor's level, CNU's mobile development program emphasizes practical, industry-aligned curriculum built around iOS and Android native development, with a strong emphasis on cross-platform frameworks like React Native and Flutter. The program distinguishes itself through early and frequent hands-on project work—students begin building functional applications in their first semester rather than spending months on theory. Faculty prioritize mentorship in small cohorts, allowing personalized guidance on real-world development challenges. What sets CNU apart is its embedded internship pipeline: the university maintains active partnerships with regional tech companies and startups in the Hampton Roads area, creating direct pathways for students to apply classroom learning in professional settings while still enrolled. The curriculum also incorporates mobile UX/UI design principles alongside development, ensuring graduates understand the full product lifecycle. Career outcomes reflect this practical focus—graduates consistently move into junior developer roles at established tech firms or join early-stage companies as founding engineers. CNU's location in coastal Virginia, while not a major tech hub, actually provides students with less competition for internship and entry-level positions compared to saturated markets, often resulting in stronger negotiating positions for their first roles.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Mobile Development — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Mobile Development — 4 years, online
Location Advantages: Regional proximity to growing tech startups in Hampton RoadsLess competitive internship market than major tech hubs
Averett University — Danville, VA
Hakia Insight: Averett's smaller size likely means mobile development students work closely with faculty on applied research or regional industry projects rather than being one of 500 students in a lecture hall—a difference that typically translates to stronger letters of recommendation and faster time-to-productivity in entry-level roles.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Mobile Development — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Mobile Development — 4 years, online
Location Advantages:
Virginia Military Institute — Lexington, VA
Key Distinction: VMI's mobile development program uniquely emphasizes leadership, systems thinking, and federal compliance requirements, preparing graduates specifically for careers in defense contracting and government technology sectors.
Hakia Insight: VMI's mobile development curriculum uniquely integrates federal compliance architecture and defense contracting workflows into core coursework, meaning graduates enter government technology roles with institutional knowledge competitors require months to acquire.
At the bachelor's level, VMI's approach to mobile development education is fundamentally shaped by the institution's leadership development mission—the program treats mobile application design as a vehicle for teaching systems thinking, project management, and collaborative problem-solving rather than pure technical specialization. Students work in structured teams on capstone mobile projects that often solve real problems for military or government clients, creating a unique applied-learning environment. The curriculum balances native development (Swift, Kotlin) with exposure to enterprise frameworks used in defense and federal contracting sectors, positioning graduates distinctly for careers in government technology work. Faculty bring practical experience from both commercial and defense technology backgrounds, bridging academic theory with the specific constraints and security requirements of federal systems. VMI's honor system and intensive team-based culture mean that mobile development students graduate with demonstrated ability to work under pressure, manage complex projects, and operate within rigid specification constraints—qualities that defense contractors actively seek. The program's small size creates intimate mentorship relationships and ensures every student participates meaningfully in capstone work, contrasting sharply with larger universities where significant team members can disappear into large cohorts. Graduates often transition into federal contractor roles or direct government technology positions, where their military training background and demonstrated discipline provide competitive advantages.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Mobile Development — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Mobile Development — 4 years, online
Location Advantages: Proximity to federal government contracting opportunities in Virginia
George Mason University — Fairfax, VA
Key Distinction: George Mason University offers comprehensive Mobile Development programs preparing students for careers in technology.
Hakia Insight: George Mason's location in Northern Virginia positions students within direct reach of the region's $50+ billion federal IT contracting market, where mobile development skills command premium compensation in security clearance-eligible roles.
George Mason University offers Mobile Development programs in Fairfax, VA. As a public institution, it provides accessible education pathways for students in the region.
Virginia State University — Petersburg, VA
Key Distinction: An enterprise and systems-focused mobile development program positioned within Virginia's government and defense technology sector, emphasizing integration architecture over consumer app development.
Hakia Insight: Virginia State's Applied Computing Lab focuses on enterprise integration architecture rather than consumer app development, a specialization that explains why its $88K median salary competes with larger universities despite serving primarily regional government contractor employers.
At the bachelor's level, virginia State's computer science program incorporates mobile development as a core technical competency, with particular emphasis on Android development and integration with enterprise systems—a strength that reflects the region's defense and government contracting presence. The program targets students who want to build mobile applications within larger IT infrastructure contexts, rather than focusing narrowly on consumer app development. Through partnerships with regional technology employers, VSU students gain exposure to how mobile development operates in regulated industries like defense and federal IT. The curriculum emphasizes both application development and the underlying systems knowledge needed to integrate mobile apps with backend services, databases, and security frameworks. Faculty bring experience from both academic research and industry roles, creating a practical-to-theoretical balance that helps students understand why mobile development decisions matter at enterprise scale. Graduates are competitive for roles in government technology agencies, defense contractors, and large-scale IT operations—a pathway less emphasized at peer institutions focused primarily on consumer mobile markets.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Mobile Development — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Mobile Development — 4 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
Industry Partners
- Richmond area healthcare (applied research)
- Government agencies (internship)
Career Outcomes
Median Salary: $88,000. Top Employers: Government contractors, Healthcare systems.
Admissions
GPA Requirement: 2.8.
Accreditations and Certifications
- Healthcare Mobile Solutions
- Government Mobile Security
Location Advantages: Proximity to federal government IT modernization initiativesAccess to defense contractor technology partnerships
Regent University — Virginia Beach, VA
Key Distinction: A fully flexible online-hybrid mobile development program designed for working professionals, emphasizing portfolio-driven learning and accessible entry points for career changers.
Hakia Insight: Regent's online-hybrid model and 2.75 GPA floor democratize access to mobile development careers for working professionals, but the $68K median salary reflects its portfolio-driven approach prioritizes career flexibility over startup ecosystem connections.
At the bachelor's level, regent's approach to mobile development emphasizes flexibility and accessibility through online and hybrid delivery formats, making it a practical choice for working professionals and non-traditional students seeking to enter or transition into mobile development roles. The program structure allows students to build portfolio projects while managing other commitments, with asynchronous coursework in foundational concepts paired with synchronous labs where hands-on coding and debugging occur. Rather than assuming students arrive with extensive computer science backgrounds, the curriculum scaffolds mobile development skills, starting with core programming fundamentals before advancing to platform-specific native development and cross-platform frameworks. Online cohorts create peer learning networks that often extend into collaborative projects and post-graduation professional relationships—a significant advantage for students building careers later in life or making industry transitions. Faculty are practicing developers and architects who understand the realities of learning mobile development while working, and they structure assessments around real portfolio projects rather than theoretical exams. Graduates from Regent's program tend to pursue roles in startup environments, remote-first companies, and roles emphasizing practical shipping over cutting-edge research.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Mobile Development — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Mobile Development — 4 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
Industry Partners
- Christian Broadcasting Network (internship)
- Norfolk tech companies (placement)
Career Outcomes
Median Salary: $68,000. Top Employers: CBN, Local consulting firms, Government contractors.
Admissions
GPA Requirement: 2.75.
Accreditations and Certifications
- Microsoft Mobile Solutions
- Cross-platform Development
Radford University — Radford, VA
Key Distinction: Radford integrates mobile UX/UI design as a core technical competency rather than an elective, differentiating it from peers that treat design as supplementary.
Hakia Insight: Radford's integration of mobile UX/UI design as a core technical competency—not an elective—reflects market reality: modern hiring managers distinguish between developers who *understand* design trade-offs versus those who outsource them, a skill gap that compounds throughout careers.
At the bachelor's level, radford's mobile development program emphasizes practical, industry-aligned skills through its integrated capstone sequence, where students build production-ready applications for real clients across iOS, Android, and cross-platform frameworks. The curriculum bridges theory and practice by pairing foundational computer science coursework with hands-on mobile labs that use current development tools and SDKs. What distinguishes the Radford approach is its focus on mobile UX/UI design alongside engineering—students learn responsive design principles and accessibility standards as core competencies rather than afterthoughts. Faculty maintain active connections with regional Virginia tech companies, creating internship pathways and guest lectures that expose students to industry workflow and expectations. The program operates within a supportive liberal arts context, meaning mobile development students benefit from strong communication and professional development resources. Graduates typically specialize in either native development (Swift/Kotlin) or cross-platform solutions (React Native/Flutter) depending on their capstone projects, and many secure internships during their junior year that convert to full-time offers.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Mobile Development — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Mobile Development — 4 years, online
Location Advantages: Proximity to Richmond tech corridor and startup ecosystem
University of Virginia's College at Wise — Wise, VA
Key Distinction: UVA Wise's mobile development program focuses on foundational technical excellence and professional practices, preparing graduates for successful careers across regional and remote tech employment.
Hakia Insight: UVA Wise's emphasis on foundational practices like version control and testing over flashy frameworks produces developers who remain productive across remote positions and tech stacks, a portability advantage in an increasingly distributed labor market.
At the bachelor's level, UVA Wise's mobile development program delivers solid technical training in core mobile frameworks while emphasizing the practical skills employers seek: version control, testing, deployment, and collaborative development practices. The program benefits from UVA's academic standards and curriculum frameworks while serving a more geographically dispersed, often first-generation student population that brings diverse perspectives to software development. Students engage with real projects and applications, building portfolios that demonstrate capability to employers across the Southeast. The smaller class sizes characteristic of a regional comprehensive university allow faculty to provide meaningful feedback and mentorship. While the program may have fewer immediate connections to major tech hubs compared to UVA's main campus, graduates successfully place into regional tech companies, startups, and remote positions with national employers. The curriculum emphasizes fundamentals and adaptability, preparing graduates to continue learning as mobile technologies evolve—particularly valuable given the rapid pace of change in the mobile ecosystem.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Mobile Development — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Mobile Development — 4 years, online
Accreditations and Certifications
Location Advantages: Serves regional Southeast tech marketAccess to remote employment opportunities
