University of Virginia Main Campus campus

UVA Admission Requirements

9/10 Overall Rating
4 Year
Charlottesville, VA
0 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in America

Overview Admission Cost Majors Diversity Outcomes Salaries Location Compare Reviews Admission Calculator

UVA Admission Overview

UVA admission requirements are very highly competitive, with one of the lowest admission rates in Virginia. Last year UVA admitted 16.8% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen who sent tests typically scored SAT 1410-1540 / ACT 32-35. UVA is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

UVA is test-optional for 2026-27. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://admission.virginia.edu/admission/deadlines-instructions

UVA Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

16.8%

Admission Standards

Elite

Applicant Competition

Very High

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The UVA acceptance rate is 16.8%. Last year, only 9,909 of 58,951 applicants were admitted. That is the 2nd lowest acceptance rate in Virginia and the 65th lowest in the nation.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into UVA and can you get accepted?

UVA is a very highly competitive school to get into, admitting fewer than one in four applicants. You have a low chance of acceptance even if you meet last year's profile.

Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class or better. 40% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

UVA GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Estimated High School GPA

3.85*

Typical High School Grades

Estimated GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.85*

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

UVA has not published an average GPA for enrolled freshmen. CollegeSimply estimates about a 3.85 GPA (A) on a 4.0 scale, based on this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges. That is an estimate, not a school-reported average. An estimated 3.85 GPA does not by itself determine admission. UVA is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.9 GPA range.

*3.85 is a CollegeSimply estimate, not a school-reported average. It is modeled from this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges.

UVA Test Policy

Test Submission Requirements

The University of Virginia is test-optional for first-year applicants for Fall 2027. Students may share or withhold SAT or ACT scores and will not be disadvantaged for either choice. Transfer admission also remains test-optional. Applicants who want scores considered may self-report SAT, ACT, AP, or IB results; admitted students who applied with testing and enroll must send official score reports for verification. UVA superscores submitted tests and recalculates ACT composites.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://admission.virginia.edu/admission/deadlines-instructions

UVA SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1410-1540

Freshmen who sent SAT

46%

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 700
Math 710
Composite 1410

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 760
Math 780
Composite 1540

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at UVA typically score around a 1480 SAT (middle 50% 1410–1540) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 99th percentile nationally. UVA ranks #2 in the state of Virginia and #55 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1410 to 1540

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

Matching last year's 1410–1540 range does not by itself determine admission.

SAT policy

UVA is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1480 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at University of Virginia Main Campus
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1540+	Above 75th	>28%
1480 to 1540	Avg +	18%-28%
1410 to 1480	Avg -	10%-18%
Below 1410	Below mid-50	<10%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

UVA ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

32-35

Freshmen reporting ACT

14%

25th Percentile Scores

English 34
Math 30
Composite 32

75th Percentile Scores

English 36
Math 35
Composite 35

Average ACT

Incoming testers at UVA typically have around a 33 ACT (mid-50 32–35) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 98th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. UVA places #3 among colleges in Virginia and #55 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 32 to 35

1 9 18 27 36

Landing in last year's 32–35 band does not, on its own, decide admission.

ACT policy

You may apply to UVA without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 33.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at University of Virginia Main Campus
ACT Score (36 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
35+	Above 75th	>33%
33 to 35	Avg +	17%-33%
32 to 33	Avg -	12%-17%
Below 32	Below mid-50	<12%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

90% of University of Virginia Main Campus freshman are in the top ten percent of their high school graduating class. For your application to be competitive, you need to graduate at the top of your class.

High School Class Rank for admitted University of Virginia Main Campus students
High School Class Rank	Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class	89.6%
Top 25% of class	98.2%
Top 50% of class	100%

Data Source, Peterson's Data

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the UVA chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.

University of Virginia Main Campus admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	31,685	27,252	58,951
Accepted	5,527	4,382	9,909
Acceptance Rate	17%	16%	17%
Enrolled	2,243	1,718	3,961
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	41%	39%	40%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to University of Virginia Main Campus and what student information is used for admission decisions?

University of Virginia Main Campus application requirements
Requirement	Used for Admission
Test Scores	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
High School Class Rank	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations	Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted

Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to University of Virginia Main Campus is $75.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at University of Virginia Main Campus
Credit Type	Accepted
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	Yes
Credit for Life Experiences	No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

UVA is test-optional for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 16.8% of applicants. Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1410-1540); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025