Federal data, no marketing spin COLLEGES 50 SOURCES IPEDS · CDS · SCORECARD
CAMPUS · CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA · PUBLIC

University of Virginia Acceptance Rate

University of Virginia-Main Campus
16.9%
ACCEPT
Why this page exists. I'm a parent who went through college admissions with my own kids, and I got tired of glossy brochures and sticker prices that mean nothing. For University of Virginia, the gap is real: a $39,926 published sticker, but families actually pay about $17,475/yr after aid. Every number on this page comes straight from federal data (IPEDS & College Scorecard) — the real net price, what graduates actually earn, and your honest odds. No rankings theater, no marketing spin.
52
FIT
MATCH
University of Virginia is a match for most applicants.
Score reflects acceptance odds × cost × outcome quality.
ACCEPTANCE
16.9%
of 56,528 applicants
SALARY · 10-YR
$86,863
across all majors
01

University of Virginia at a Glance

30,044
Total Enrollment
$17,500
Median Debt
14.0%
Pell Grant Rate

Average SAT & ACT Scores for University of Virginia

Test25th Percentile75th PercentileMidpoint
SAT Reading700750725
SAT Math710780745
SAT Total141015301470
ACT Composite323433

Admissions Funnel

Applications Received56,528
Students Admitted9,533
Students Enrolled3,966
Yield Rate41.6%

University of Virginia Rankings

Ranking2025Year
US News National Universities #24 2025
QS World University Rankings #192 2025
US News Best Public Universities #4 2025
Show 10-Year US News Ranking History
US News National Universities
2016201720182019202020212022202320242025
#26 #24 #25 #25 #28 #26 #25 #25 #24 #24

US News National Universities: #26 (2016) → #24 (2025) ↑ 2 spots

University of Virginia Admissions Overview

University of Virginia-Main Campus is a public university in Charlottesville, VA with 30,044 students. Its 16.9% acceptance rate places it among America's most selective universities. The most popular majors are Liberal Arts, Social Sciences, and Engineering.

Full NameUniversity of Virginia-Main Campus
LocationCharlottesville, VA 22903-2628
TypePublic
Websitevirginia.edu/
Total Enrollment30,044
Undergrad Enrollment19,791
Female Students55.3%

Is University of Virginia a Reach, Match, or Safety?

University of Virginia accepts 16.9% of applicants, making it highly selective. Students with above-average GPAs and solid test scores (where applicable) are in Match territory. Below the median, consider it a Reach.

Your ProfileUniversity of Virginia Is...What to Do
Above-average GPA + strong application Match Apply — worth the effort
Average GPA, some strengths Reach Apply, but have 2-3 backup schools
Below-average GPA Hard Reach Consider similar schools with higher acceptance rates

University of Virginia True Cost by Family Income

14% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating UVA enrolls a meaningful share of lower-income students.

Family IncomeAnnual Net Price4-Year Total
$0-30k $8,174 $32,696
$30-48k $9,696 $38,784
$48-75k $13,283 $53,132
$75-110k $20,822 $83,288
$110k+ $35,402 $141,608

Cost Breakdown

Room & Board$14,700
Total Cost of Attendance$39,926

Want to see how University of Virginia stacks up? Compare college costs side by side and check the college rankings by net price and salary outcomes.

Popular Majors at University of Virginia

The most popular fields of study, ranked by the number of degrees awarded.

Liberal Arts
20.1%
Social Sciences
16.8%
Engineering
8.7%
Business/Marketing
7.4%
Biological Sciences
5.5%
Best Majors at University of Virginia →

{sn} Student Demographics

White
51.8%
Black/African American
7.6%
Hispanic/Latino
7.1%
Asian
16.9%
International
4.6%

How to Get Into University of Virginia

UVA is selective, but your odds are real if you meet the academic profile. Target a 1440+ SAT to be competitive. Strong essays and demonstrated interest can tip the scale at schools in this selectivity range.

1470
Target SAT Score
33
Target ACT Score
16.9%
Acceptance Rate
56,528
Total Applicants

What University of Virginia Values Most in Applicants

Admission factor importance from the Common Data Set — what the school officially says matters.

FactorImportance
Academic Gpa Very Important
Rigor Of Secondary School Record Very Important
Class Rank Important
Standardized Test Scores Considered
Application Essay Very Important
Recommendation Important
Extracurricular Activities Important
Talent Ability Important
Character Personal Qualities Very Important
First Generation Considered
Alumni Relation Considered
Interview Not Considered
Work Experience Considered
Volunteer Work Considered

Want to know your odds? Use the college admissions calculator to see your chances at University of Virginia by GPA and SAT/ACT — or calculate your college GPA first to check where you stand.

University of Virginia Application Deadlines & Requirements

Key dates for the University of Virginia EA/ED admission cycle. Mark these on your calendar — missing a deadline means waiting another year.

DeadlineDate
Early ActionNov 1
Early DecisionNov 1
Regular DecisionJan 5
Financial Aid (FAFSA/CSS)Mar 1
Early Decision: University of Virginia offers binding Early Decision. If accepted, you must enroll and withdraw all other applications. Only apply ED if University of Virginia is your clear first choice.

See University of Virginia alongside every school in our full college application deadlines calendar for 2026–2027.

{sn} Financial Aid & Student Debt

14.0%
Pell Grant Recipients
Students from low-income families
$17,500
Median Debt at Graduation
Federal loans only
$72,359
Median Earnings (6yr)
6 years after enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions About University of Virginia

What is UVA's acceptance rate?
UVA has an acceptance rate of 16.9%, making it highly selective. This rate reflects freshman applicants for the most recent admissions cycle.
What SAT score do I need for UVA?
The middle 50% SAT range at UVA is 1410-1530. For the ACT, the middle 50% range is 32-34. Scoring above the 75th percentile puts you in a strong position, but scores alone don't determine admission.
What are the most popular majors at UVA?
The most popular majors at UVA by degrees awarded are: Liberal Arts (20.1%), Social Sciences (16.8%), Engineering (8.7%), Business/Marketing (7.4%), Biological Sciences (5.5%). These percentages reflect undergraduate degrees conferred in the most recent reporting year.
Can I transfer to UVA?
UVA accepts transfer students, though the process is highly selective. Transfer applicants typically need a strong college GPA (3.5+), relevant coursework, and compelling reasons for transferring. The transfer acceptance rate is generally lower than freshman admission at selective schools.
▎FROM THE DATA TO YOUR LIST

Plug your stats in. We'll tell you where you stand.

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Other Colleges in VA

Virginia Tech
57.0% accept · Blacksburg

Data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, IPEDS. University of Virginia is not affiliated with NextColleges.