Virginia Public Colleges with the Lowest Acceptance Rate

The average acceptance rate of the 15 public Virginia colleges that have competitive admission is 71.29% for the academic year 2024-2025. Compared to last year, the acceptance rate is lower by 5.85%. The acceptance rate at 3 public Virginia colleges increased and the rate of 12 colleges decreased.

University of Virginia-Main Campus has the lowest (i.e. hard to admit) acceptance rate of 16.81%. University of Virginia's College at Wise (28.54%) and William & Mary (34.07%) are following it in the list of Tightest Virginia Public Colleges to Get In.

This ranking is only based on acceptance rates and more admission stats such as SAT and ACT scores are helpful to measure the chances to get in more accurately.

University of Virginia-Main Campus stays at first place of the lowest acceptance rate ranking since last year. University of Virginia's College at Wise ranked 2nd, up 13 places from 15th last year.

The average undergraduate tuition & fees of the schools is $38,198 and graduate tuition & fees is $28,986 for the academic year 2024-2025.

We note that the actual tightness of admission lies in considering other admission requirements such as SAT score.

Comparison between Tightest Virginia Public Colleges To Get In

Table. Tightest Virginia Public Colleges To Get In Comparison
School NameAcceptance RateYieldSAT ScoreUndergraduate Tuition & FeesTotal PopulationGraduation RateStudents to Faculty Ratio
1
-		University of Virginia-Main Campus Charlottesville, VAPublic, 4-year 16.81%
0.05%		39.97%1,480$61,591
($23,118)		26,40996.00%15 to 1
2
13		University of Virginia's College at Wise Wise, VAPublic, 4-year 28.54%
65.38%		15.12%1,050$28,010
($11,780)		2,16747.00%14 to 1
3
1		William & Mary Williamsburg, VAPublic, 4-year 34.07%
1.35%		26.62%1,470$51,038
($25,734)		9,81889.00%12 to 1
4
1		Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VAPublic, 4-year 54.78%
2.25%		25.35%1,360$37,764
($15,948)		38,85786.00%17 to 1
5
-		Virginia Military Institute Lexington, VAPublic, 4-year 71.25%
10.48%		31.73%1,180$52,638
($21,046)		1,52776.00%9 to 1
6
2		James Madison University Harrisonburg, VAPublic, 4-year 71.52%
4.73%		18.16%1,250$31,312
($13,966)		22,74080.00%17 to 1
7
-		University of Mary Washington Fredericksburg, VAPublic, 4-year 79.78%
6.48%		17.73%1,260$28,083
($14,905)		3,82666.00%13 to 1
8
1		Christopher Newport University Newport News, VAPublic, 4-year 86.04%
1.92%		18.05%1,170$31,178
($16,828)		4,45472.00%13 to 1
9
1		George Mason University Fairfax, VAPublic, 4-year 87.48%
1.35%		20.22%1,270$38,688
($14,220)		39,76668.00%16 to 1
10
2		Norfolk State University Norfolk, VAPublic, 4-year 87.77%
0.31%		13.22%915$21,682
($10,180)		6,05338.00%15 to 1
Average61.80%22.62%1,241$38,198
($16,773)		15,56271.80%14 to 1