Higher Ed

James Madison University was founded in 1908 and had a total enrollment of 19,722 students in its undergraduate and graduate programs in the 2010-11 school year. The university offers 39 undergraduate, 31 master’s and seven doctoral degrees. The campus has 111 buildings for academics, student housing and support facilities. The current university president is Jonathan R. Alger.

Virginia Military Institute is located at 301 Letcher Ave Lexington.

Located in Fredericksburg, Va., the University of Mary Washington was founded in 1908 and has 4,831 students.

Founded in 1749, Washington and Lee University is named after George Washington, whose generous endowment of $20,000 in 1796 helped the school to survive. Also, the other half of the name comes from Gen. Robert E. Lee who served as the university’s president from 1865 until his death in 1870. Washington and Lee University is located in Lexington, Va.