University of Virginia admits approximately 16.9% of applicants, making it among the most selective public universities in the United States. This translates to roughly 1 in 6 applicants receiving an offer of admission, placing substantial pressure on the application process even for highly qualified candidates. The peer median admission rate of 78.1% illustrates the dramatic difference between UVA's selectivity and typical four-year public institutions. This 61-percentage-point gap positions UVA closer to elite private universities than standard public flagships in terms of admission difficulty. Even students with exceptional academic credentials face meaningful uncertainty in the admission process due to the volume of highly qualified applicants competing for limited seats. The university's Highly Selective tier designation reflects admission standards that eliminate the vast majority of applicants before reaching the evaluation stage. Students considering UVA should understand that admission competitiveness extends well beyond minimum academic thresholds, requiring exceptional achievement across multiple dimensions. For this reason, prospective applicants should build comprehensive college lists that include institutions with higher acceptance rates but comparable post-graduation outcomes. The high selectivity means that even students who would thrive academically and personally at UVA may not receive admission, making strategic application planning essential for college-bound students targeting similar outcomes.
A directional estimate — not a prediction
Admitted students at University of Virginia demonstrate exceptional academic preparation across standardized testing measures. SAT scores for enrolled students range from 1410 to 1530, with a midpoint of 1488 representing the median for the enrolled class. The middle 50% of students fall within this range, though scores below 1350 and above 1570 are represented in smaller numbers. SAT Math scores span 710 to 780, while SAT Verbal scores range from 700 to 750, indicating consistently strong performance across both sections. ACT scores range from 32 to 34, with a midpoint of 34, placing UVA among institutions with the highest standardized test performance nationally. Compared to peer institutions with a median SAT of 1198, UVA's admitted students score 290 points higher on average, representing a substantial academic preparation advantage. These score ranges reflect preparation typically associated with the top 1-2% of test-takers nationally, indicating that most admitted students have engaged with rigorous academic curricula throughout high school. Students scoring below the 25th percentile (1410 SAT, 32 ACT) should expect to be at a competitive disadvantage but are not automatically excluded from consideration. Applicants whose scores fall within the middle 50% ranges represent the academic profile most commonly admitted, though other factors including extracurricular achievement, essays, and demographic considerations influence final admission decisions. Students should consider whether their academic profile aligns with these ranges when building their college application strategy.
Understanding institutional priorities and student support
University of Virginia enrolls a student body that reflects both academic excellence and relative economic privilege compared to typical public universities. The institution enrolls 13.7% Pell-eligible students, indicating that roughly 1 in 7 students comes from lower-income families qualifying for federal need-based aid. This share falls well below the national average for public institutions, reflecting UVA's position within the Selective Achievers quadrant where strong outcomes coincide with limited access for lower-income students. First-generation college students represent 15.8% of enrollment, indicating that most students have family experience with higher education. Transfer students comprise 16.5% of enrollment, providing some pathway for students who may not have been competitive for freshman admission. The combination of high test scores, limited Pell enrollment, and substantial first-generation representation suggests an applicant pool dominated by academically prepared students from middle-to-upper-income families. Students from lower-income backgrounds should understand that while they are represented in meaningful numbers, they constitute a minority of the enrolled population. First-generation students should consider the 15.8% share when assessing whether they will find peer community and institutional support systems aligned with their backgrounds. The academic and demographic profile indicates that successful applicants typically combine exceptional test scores with the educational advantages that come from economic stability and family college experience.
Given UVA's 16.9% acceptance rate, most applicants—even those with exceptional academic credentials—face significant admission uncertainty and should identify alternative institutions delivering comparable career outcomes.
Higher acceptance rates with similar career outcomes.
Students who enroll at University of Virginia demonstrate exceptional persistence and degree completion across demographic groups. The freshman retention rate of 97.3% indicates that nearly all students who begin at UVA continue to their sophomore year, compared to a peer median of 83.7%. This 13.6-percentage-point advantage suggests strong academic support systems and institutional fit for enrolled students. The six-year graduation rate of 95.3% far exceeds the peer median of 65.9%, indicating that degree completion is the norm rather than the exception for UVA students. Pell-eligible students graduate at 89.5%, creating a 5.8-percentage-point gap compared to the overall graduation rate. While this gap indicates some additional challenges for lower-income students, the absolute completion rate for Pell students remains strong and well above national averages for any student population. The relatively modest Pell gap suggests that UVA provides effective support systems for lower-income students who gain admission, helping them navigate financial and academic challenges that might otherwise impede degree completion. Students who gain admission can expect strong institutional support for degree completion, with completion rates among the highest in public higher education. Lower-income students should weigh the 5.8-point Pell gap alongside the exceptionally high absolute completion rate when considering institutional fit and support systems.
Similar quality tier (#4186 ranked)
Build a balanced list with schools at different selectivity and price points.
Explore More Schools