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University of Virginia

Charlottesville, VA·Public·17,597 students
Last updated: March 22, 2026

A good fit for competitive applicants and students who want a large campus community. no major red flags in the data. solid earnings of $79,400 within 10 years; exceptional 96% graduation rate.

17%
Accept
17,597
Students
$21,565
Net Price
96%
Grad Rate
$79,400
Earnings
10 yr
$17,500
Debt

About This School

University of Virginia is a public institution located in Charlottesville, Virginia with approximately 17,597 undergraduate students enrolled. Admissions are highly selective, with an acceptance rate of 17%. The average net price after financial aid is $21,565 per year. The graduation rate is 96%, and the typical graduate earns $79,400 within 10 years of enrollment.

The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville City and Albemarle County in Virginia, United States. It was founded in 1819 by Thomas Jefferson and contains his Academical Village, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its original governing Board of Visitors included three U.S. presidents: Jefferson, James Madison, and James Monroe, the latter as sitting president of the United States at the time of its foundation. As its first two rectors, Presidents Jefferson and Madison played key roles in the university's foundation, with Jefferson designing both the original courses of study and the university's original architecture. The original campus contains President Monroe's former residence and law office, today used as a residential college.

Founded by Thomas Jefferson and set on a UNESCO World Heritage Site campus, this is one of the best values in American public higher education — a 95% graduation rate, median debt of just $15,153, and median earnings of $79,400 a decade out paint a genuinely strong picture. The 17% acceptance rate makes it selective, so apply with a realistic read on your profile, but in-state students especially get an exceptional deal at roughly $22,881/year after aid. The main concern isn't financial — it's fit: UVA has a distinct, tradition-heavy culture that students tend to either love or find alienating, so visit if you can.

Founded
1819
Setting
Midsize suburb
Mascot
Cavalier
Conference
Atlantic Coast Conference
Avg Faculty Salary
$17,428

Popular Programs

Social Sciences12%
Engineering9%
Business & Marketing9%
Computer Science8%
Biological Sciences6%
Psychology4%
Health Professions4%
Communications3%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Notable Alumni

Edgar Allan PoeWoodrow WilsonWilliam FaulknerRobert F. KennedyTina FeyRonald CoaseRichard E. ByrdJohn BackusJavier SolanaFerid MuradAlfred G. GilmanJulien Green

Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.

Admissions

Test Policy: Considered but not required

SAT Scores

Average Composite1480
Reading 75th %ile760
Math 75th %ile780

ACT Scores

Midpoint Composite34

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$21,803
Out-of-State Tuition
$59,512
Avg Net Price
$21,565
after aid

Net Price by Family Income

Under $30k$8,174
$30–48k$9,696
$48–75k$13,283
$75–110k$20,822
$110k+$35,402

Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants16%
Median debt at graduation$17,500

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
96%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
98%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$79,400
after enrollment
Median Debt
$17,500
at graduation

Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender

Male graduates$66,500
Female graduates$48,800

Gap: 27% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$17,500
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$56,800
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$79,400
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 4.5x

Strong return. Graduates earn well above their debt load.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White49%
Black8%
Hispanic/Latino8%
Asian20%
Two or more races6%
International5%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (17,597 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

University of Virginia

1827 University Avenue

Charlottesville, VA 22903-2628

View on Google Maps →

Other Schools in Virginia

Browse all Virginia schools →

Sources & Methodology

Data

Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
  • Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
  • Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
  • Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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