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Most selective colleges in Virginia

Updated Federal and Common Data Set numbers, each with its year

The short answer

The most selective four-year colleges in Virginia are Washington and Lee University (14% admitted), UVA (17% admitted) and University of Richmond (22% admitted), by acceptance rate.

Selective here means a low acceptance rate: the share of applicants the college admitted. A low rate says how many people a college turns away, not how good a fit it is for you. Each row also shows the average price after grants.

The list (20 of 39)

Four-year colleges in Virginia with 500 or more undergraduates, lowest acceptance rate first. The list shows 20 of the 39 colleges with an acceptance rate on file. Rates come from IPEDS (fall 2024) for 16 colleges and each college's own Common Data Set (fall 2025) for 4 colleges.

  1. Washington and Lee University 14% admitted Lexington, VA · Average price after grants: $25,279 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: Common Data Set, fall 2025
  2. University of Virginia 17% admitted Charlottesville, VA · Average price after grants: $18,056 a year in-state, about $57,082 out of state (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  3. University of Richmond 22% admitted University of Richmond, VA · Average price after grants: $34,256 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: Common Data Set, fall 2025
  4. University of Virginia's College at Wise 28% admitted Wise, VA · Average price after grants: $5,869 a year in-state, about $22,099 out of state (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  5. William & Mary 37% admitted Williamsburg, VA · Average price after grants: $18,880 a year in-state, about $45,149 out of state (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: Common Data Set, fall 2025
  6. Regent University 38% admitted Virginia Beach, VA · Average price after grants: $18,135 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  7. Hampden-Sydney College 41% admitted Hampden-Sydney, VA · Average price after grants: $26,626 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  8. University of Lynchburg 43% admitted Lynchburg, VA · Average price after grants: $27,198 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  9. Virginia Tech 55% admitted Blacksburg, VA · Average price after grants: $25,808 a year in-state, about $48,272 out of state (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: Common Data Set, fall 2025
  10. Averett University 57% admitted Danville, VA · Average price after grants: $27,629 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  11. Bluefield University 59% admitted Bluefield, VA · Average price after grants: $18,402 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  12. Hampton University 62% admitted Hampton, VA · Average price after grants: $25,683 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  13. Hollins University 68% admitted Roanoke, VA · Average price after grants: $20,875 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  14. Virginia Military Institute 71% admitted Lexington, VA · Average price after grants: $15,585 a year in-state, about $46,177 out of state (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  15. James Madison University 72% admitted Harrisonburg, VA · Average price after grants: $23,550 a year in-state, about $41,160 out of state (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  16. Virginia Wesleyan University 73% admitted Virginia Beach, VA · Average price after grants: $20,237 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  17. ECPI University 75% admitted Virginia Beach, VA · Average price after grants: $22,484 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  18. Shenandoah University 77% admitted Winchester, VA · Average price after grants: $31,149 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  19. University of Mary Washington 80% admitted Fredericksburg, VA · Average price after grants: $23,821 a year in-state, about $37,327 out of state (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  20. Roanoke College 83% admitted Salem, VA · Average price after grants: $25,867 a year (College Scorecard, 2024-25) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
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What are the most selective colleges in Virginia?

The most selective four-year colleges in Virginia are Washington and Lee University (14% admitted), UVA (17% admitted) and University of Richmond (22% admitted), by acceptance rate.

How many colleges on this list admit fewer than half of applicants?

8 of the 20 colleges listed admitted fewer than half of their applicants.

How recent are these acceptance rates?

Each row shows its year. Rates come from IPEDS, the federal college survey, for students who applied for fall 2024, or from the college's own Common Data Set for fall 2025 where that is newer.

Numbers change each year when colleges and the Department of Education publish new data. Confirm costs and admission rules with the college before you apply.

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