Accessibility
Career-focused education within reach of working adults, online and hybrid.
Our Legacy
American National University's history.
Founded in 1886 in Roanoke, Virginia — more than a century of career-focused education for working adults, employers, and communities.
American National University of Virginia at a glance
Rooted in access, relevance, and opportunity.
For more than a century, American National University of Virginia has provided career-focused education designed to meet the evolving needs of working adults, employers, and communities. Founded in the late nineteenth century in Roanoke, Virginia, the institution was established to deliver practical, workforce-aligned education at a time when business, commerce, and professional administration were rapidly shaping the modern economy.
From its earliest days, the Virginia institution has emphasized accessibility, flexibility, and employment readiness — expanding beyond foundational business disciplines to healthcare, technology, and graduate education. While strategic collaboration with affiliated institutions has expanded academic resources and reach, the mission, governance, and heritage of American National University of Virginia remain distinctly its own.
Flexibility
Evening, part-time, and online options since the early twentieth century.
Employment readiness
Practical, workforce-aligned programs shaped with employers.
Virginia heritage
Mission, governance, and heritage that remain distinctly its own.
Timeline of key milestones
From National Business College to American National University of Virginia.
1886
Founded
Founded in Roanoke as National Business College
Established to provide practical education aligned with workforce and business needs.
1889
First students
Began enrolling students
Welcoming learners from across the region and beyond to pursue career-focused business education.
Late 19th–Early 20th C.
Foundations
Foundational business programs
Accounting, bookkeeping, commercial law, shorthand, office administration, and related disciplines established a reputation for employment readiness and employer engagement.
Early–Mid 20th C.
Access
Flexible scheduling expands access
Evening and part-time study options supported working adults and broad participation in higher education.
1947
Recognition
Recognized by the National Association of Accredited Commercial Schools
Affirming sustained academic quality and long-standing contributions to business education.
Mid–Late 20th C.
Expansion
Expanded across Virginia
Locations in Charlottesville, Lynchburg, Martinsville, Danville, and Bluefield increased access to career-focused education throughout the Commonwealth.
2004
Graduate
Launched graduate degree programs
A significant transition to advanced professional and academic education.
2013
University
Adopted the name American National University of Virginia
Reflecting graduate-level offerings, academic diversification, and expanded online, international, and professional education.
2010s–Present
Innovation
Technology-enabled learning
Online and blended models integrating high-engagement instruction with hands-on learning across business, healthcare, and technology programs.
Today
Today
30+ academic programs, worldwide reach
Serving students across Virginia, the United States, and around the world through flexible, career-focused education grounded in a legacy spanning more than 140 years.
Serving students across Virginia, the United States, and around the world.
American National University of Virginia offers more than 30 academic programs through flexible, career-focused online and hybrid education — grounded in a legacy spanning more than 140 years.
Add your chapter.
More than 140 years of American National University graduates started exactly where you are now.