There are many colleges located in Virginia that provide a wide range of quality education.
Are you looking for the Best colleges in Virginia? Well, you have reached the perfect place.
In this article, I will guide you through all the top colleges in Virginia that you can consider for your education.
By doing the complete research, I have listed down the top 10 colleges in Virginia. I have listed them as per their ranking, Acceptance score, and ratings. I have also mentioned the SAT and ACT scores that you need to apply to that college.
So without wasting time, let’s have a quick look at the best colleges in Virginia.
Top 10 Colleges In Virginia: In A Nutshell (2024)
Before we go further, here is a comparison table you can refer to for your complete understanding.
| SR.NO | Best Colleges In Virginia | Acceptance score | Rating |
| 1. | Virginia Tech | 65% | 4.9/5 |
| 2. | University of Virginia | 26% | 4.8/5 |
| 3. | Washington and Lee University | 21% | 4.7/5 |
| 4. | William & Mary | 37% | 4.7/5 |
| 5. | George Mason University | 80% | 4.6/5 |
| 6. | University of Richmond | 30% | 4.7/5 |
| 7. | Virginia Military Institute | 51% | 4.5/5 |
| 8. | James Madison University | 71% | 4.4/5 |
| 9. | Old Dominion University | 96% | 4.3/5 |
| 10. | Virginia Commonwealth University | 91% | 4.2/5 |
1. Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech is a huge public college that offers both undergraduate and graduate programs.
It has a total enrollment of more than 29,000 every year and has a semester-based academic system. It stands at number #62 among the best colleges in national universities.
This institution includes nine colleges that cover the College of Agriculture and life sciences, Pamplin College of Business, College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, Corps of Cadets, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, College of Engineering, the Carilion School of Medicine, and Fralin Biomedical Research Institute and the college of architecture and urban studies.
Virginia Tech is known for its multidisciplinary approach to education, focusing on addressing global issues.
Virginia Tech is also known for its research and tech programs. The overall aid and the tuition fee you need is around $14k.
| Location | Blacksburg, Virginia |
| Acceptance score | 65% |
| SAT score | 1170-1370 |
| ACT score | 25-31 |
| Rating | 4.9/5 |
2. University of Virginia
The next pick is the University of Virginia. It is the most popular college preferred by many students.
It offers more than 300 online courses along with full-time courses. The university includes total bible schools and colleges with more than 15 degree programs.
This public university provides helpful seminars for distance and online learners, 24-hour technical assistance, and Virginiarious tailored academic achievement resources.
The University of Virginia considers the overall GPA along with the SAT and ACT score, and the application fee you need to pay is $75.
| Location | Charlottesville, Virginia |
| Acceptance score | 26% |
| SAT score | 1390-1530 |
| ACT score | 32-35 |
| Rating | 4.8/5 |
3. Washington And Lee University
Washington and Lee University is a priVirginiate institute that serves 2000 students each year.
It is the ninth institute of master’s education in the USA which provides 37 undergraduate minors and 36 major degrees.
This small institute maintains a student-faculty ratio of 8:1 and provides graduate degrees through its graduate school.
Their core curriculum generally offers to make connections across Virginiarious national colleges through their wide range of programs and research activities.
The major degrees offered by them are
- Economics.
- Business.
- Political Science and Government.
- Mathematics.
- Public Relations.
- Accounting.
- History.
- Research and Experimental Psychology.
The overall cost and tuition fees you need for a year are $56,170, and the application fee you need to pay is $60.
| Location | Lexington, Virginia |
| Acceptance score and score | 21% |
| SAT score | 1420-1510 |
| ACT score | 32-35 |
| Rating | 4.8/5 |
4. William & Mary
William and Mary University is the USA’s oldest public institution of higher studies and research center.
It offers more than 45 undergraduate degrees and 40 graduate and master’s degree courses.
It stands at number #41 in the national universities, which are ranked according to performance and quality education.
The student-faculty ratio is 13:1, which is quite good, and has a semester-based academic curriculum system.
You need to submit the online application to apply for the institute and need to pay the fee of $75. And the total annual tuition fee goes around $23K.
| Location | Williamsburg, Virginia |
| Acceptance score | 37% |
| SAT score | 1360-1520 |
| ACT score | 31-34 |
| Rating | 3.7/5 |
5. George Mason University
Now coming to George Mason University, it is a huge public institution that offers a semester-based academic system.
It is ranked #137 out of 443 national universities and has more than 37,000 enrollments every year. They offer over 200 academic programs including graduate and undergraduate courses.
They also provide online and compound courses that are designed by the same experts and tutors as on-campus courses.
The major online courses provide engineering and technology, health science, business and management, and science and math.
It provides complete hands-on learning and a real supportive faculty and community that pushes collaboration with professors.
The tuition fee you need to pay annually is $59K and the application fee is $75. And the average student-faculty ratio is 16:1.
| Location | Harrisonburg, Virginia |
| Acceptance score | 80% |
| SAT score | 1100-1300 |
| ACT score | 24-30 |
| Rating | 4.6/5 |
6. University of Richmond
It is a priVirginiate mid-size institution that provides Virginiarious undergraduate and graduate programs.
Over 60 undergraduate programs of study are aVirginiailable at the University of Richmond, which is divided into five schools and colleges.
Students can also pursue master’s degrees and graduate certificates in business and education-related fields.
The University of Richmond, the only institution with a spider as a symbol, also separates itself by its multidisciplinary approach to education, providing connections among liberal arts, business, leadership, and law.
The institution serves nearly 4,000 students every year, with a typical undergraduate classroom size of 16 individuals.
The student-faculty ratio is 8:1 and the annual overall cost and tuition fees go around $72,000. Plus the application fee is $50.
| Location | Richmond, Virginia |
| Acceptance score | 30% |
| SAT score | 1420-1520 |
| ACT score | 32-35 |
| Rating | 4.7/5 |
7. Virginia Military Institute
VMI is for individuals who are seeking a rigorous, life-changing college experience.
Virginia Military Institute educates around 1,700 students per year. The 11-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio allows for more personalized learning during undergraduate study.
You can choose from 14 majors in engineering, science, and humanities, as well as a Virginiariety of enrichment activities such as foreign study, internships, undergraduate research, the Institute Honors Program, and the Institute Essay Writing Program.
For the application, you must submit the complete online application form and the supporting documents. The application fee is $40 and the overall annual aid you require is $15K.
| Location | Lexington, Virginia |
| Acceptance score | 51% |
| SAT score | 1070-1260 |
| ACT score | 22-28 |
| Rating | 4.5/5 |
8. James Madison University
James Madison University is a huge institute that serves more than 22,000 individuals each year both online as well as offline.
It offers online and distance learning options for graduate and undergraduate degrees and also Virginiarious online master’s courses for working professionals.
The Virginiarious degrees they offer include
- Communications
- Philosophy.
- Physics.
- Economics.
- Nursing.
- Business and Management.
- Computer Science.
James Madison University has a strong history of providing hands-on learning opportunities and fostering a friendly community that encourages cooperation with teachers.
Applicants for undergraduate admission must provide official transcripts, a letter of recommendation, a personal statement, and standardized test scores.
Graduate admissions documents differ depending on the program but often include official transcripts and letters of recommendation.
The application fee is $75 and the tuition fee goes around $12K. And the student-faculty ratio is 17:1.
| Location | Harrisonburg, Virginia |
| Acceptance score | 71% |
| SAT score | 1180-1340 |
| ACT score | 25-30 |
| Rating | 4.4/5 |
9. Old Dominion University
The old dominion university is a large acclaimed research university that has an enrollment of more than 18,000 students.
It has a semester-based pattern of academics and is ranked #299 in the 2022-2023 edition of Best Colleges in National Universities.
It has committed to the research and it is operating the center for accelerator science and the analysis & simulation center. It also provides a center for Virginia modeling.
It offers a wide range of degree programs that include,
- Computer science and information science.
- Engineering.
- Engineering technology.
- English and literature.
- Biology.
- Mathematics.
- General studies.
- Leisure and fitness studies.
- Physical sciences.
- Psychology.
- Social sciences.
- Visual and performing arts.
- Business and management.
- History.
Its in-state tuition and fees are $11,900; out-of-state tuition and fees are $32,660. The application fee is around $75 and the student-faculty ratio is 17:1.
| Location | Norfolk, Virginia |
| Acceptance score | 96% |
| SAT score | 1,120- 1300 |
| ACT score | 21-25 |
| Rating | 4.3/5 |
10. Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Commonwealth University ranks at 239 in the nation, putting it in the top 15% of colleges in the US. The acceptance rate is much higher in this university, making it easier for students to get into compared to other colleges.
The location of its campus is located in Richmond, and the University of Richmond is nearby this college. Virginia Commonwealth University is also known as one of the top research public universities in the US.
VCU offers a variety of graduate, professional, and undergraduate programs that will prepare you for amazing employment opportunities. You can also make a career out of science at this university if you’re interested in it.
Some of the popular majors at VCU are General Psychology, General Biology, Nursing, Political Science & Government, Design & Applied Arts, Communication & Media Studies, etc.
| Location | Richmond, Virginia |
| Acceptance Rate | 91% |
| SAT Score | 1070 – 1260 |
| ACT Score | 20 – 29 |
| Rating | 4.2/5 |
Related Read:
Conclusion: Best Colleges In Virginia (2024)
Finally, here we are with the 10 best colleges in Virginia. Because Virginia has a larger percentage of degree holders than the national average, the universities mentioned above must be doing something right.
So do thorough research on the university that you are interested in and check the admission criteria for it. Then simply prepare for the SAT or ACT exam you need to apply to that particular university. Do not forget to maintain a good GPA score in your academics.
So it is up to you now! Choose the best suitable university from above that fits your score and budget.
And in case you are still in doubt whether which university to choose, then here is my suggestion:
- Virginia Tech.
- The University of Virginia.
Let us know in the comment section below which university you are opting for.
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