It is the third-largest multi-campus community college in the United States and the second largest educational institution in the Commonwealth of Virginia after Liberty University.

NOVA has campuses in Alexandria, Annandale, Loudoun County, Manassas, Springfield and Woodbridge.

In the fall of 1965, the college opened with 761 students in a single building in Bailey's Crossroads under president Robert L. McKee.

To accommodate an ever-growing student body, the college purchased 78 acres (320,000 m2) in Annandale in 1966 to create the first of six permanent campus sites.

NOVA is also one of the most internationally diverse colleges in the United States, with a student body consisting of individuals from more than 180 countries.

NOVA offers dual-enrollment so high-school students can enroll in classes at the age of 16.

In that year, the John Tyler School was also purchased from the City of Alexandria and incorporated as part of the campus.

In Spring 2006, work was completed on a six-level, 825-space parking garage for faculty, staff, students, and visitors.

The campus has also added the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning buildings and several temporary facilities.

In Fall 2013, the Woodbridge Campus opened the Arts and Science Building, and in 2015, unveiled the Regional Center for Workforce Education and Training.

The Woodbridge Campus provides off-campus instruction at several locations, including area high schools and the Quantico and Fort Belvoir military bases.

[3] The college introduced Ace, the Nighthawk, in 2017 as the first mascot of the modern era of NOVA Athletics.