One of the things I learned late while living in Burke is that there is a NOVA nearby.

When you first hear NOVA, you might think it's a company name, but it stands for Northern Virginia Community College.

In Northern Virginia, most people understand when you just say "NOVA."

Before I moved here, I thought there would just be a small community college nearby.

However, I found out that it's not the small local college I imagined.

NOVA is a fairly large community college that operates campuses in various areas of Northern Virginia.

With tens of thousands of students, it's larger than many four-year universities. The closest one to Burke is the Annandale Campus.

If you drive, it's close, making it quite convenient for children commuting from home.

Not having to pay for dormitory or apartment rent while attending school is a significant advantage.

The classes offered are more diverse than I expected. They range from basic subjects like English and math to science, business, computer, and technical fields, as well as American Sign Language (ASL) and foreign language programs. There are also programs that can be completed online, and evening or weekend classes, making it accessible for many who work while studying.

However, as a parent, the most concerning aspect is definitely the tuition.

If you are a Virginia resident, you can start at NOVA for much less than a four-year university. You can expect annual tuition to be around $6,000.

In contrast, nearby George Mason University has undergraduate tuition and mandatory fees that exceed $10,000 annually, even for Virginia residents.

When you add in dormitory or meal costs, the difference becomes even larger.

As a result, many people in this area take advantage of studying at NOVA for two years before transferring to a four-year institution like George Mason University.

For example, if a high school graduate hasn't firmly decided on a major yet, it's a practical approach to take general education and foundational courses at NOVA while figuring out their direction, rather than sending them to a four-year university right away.

Especially, there is a program called ADVANCE between NOVA and George Mason that allows students to plan their courses with the goal of transferring from the start.

If utilized well, you can significantly reduce the tuition for the first two years while ultimately earning a bachelor's degree from a four-year university.

NOVA is not solely a school for transferring to a four-year university. It also offers job-related programs and certification courses in fields like IT, Cybersecurity, Healthcare, and Business, making it practical for adults looking to learn new skills.

Northern Virginia has many federal agencies, government contractors, defense companies, and IT firms.

Therefore, many people use NOVA to acquire skills or certifications needed for their current jobs, rather than necessarily obtaining another college degree.

I believe this is one of the hidden advantages of Burke.

Having a good school nearby is beneficial not just for kids.

Even when you're in your 40s or 50s and think, "Should I learn this?" it's a significant asset to have a college that you can attend at an affordable price.

While looking at home prices or rent in Burke, you might initially think it's expensive, but when you consider schools, parks, transportation, and educational facilities one by one, you start to understand why people choose to live in this area for a long time. I think NOVA is one of those reasons.