Most Selective Virginia Colleges
Virginia has 8 four-year colleges that accept 50% or fewer of applicants, ranked from most to least selective.
Washington and Lee University is the hardest to get into in Virginia, accepting just 14% of 8,213 applicants. Also highly selective: University of Virginia Main Campus, University of Richmond and University of Virginia's College at Wise.
Selectivity does not always equal academic difficulty. Some schools admit a small share of applicants because demand exceeds capacity, not because admission standards are extreme. If you need safety schools, see our highest acceptance rate colleges in Virginia. For academically demanding options, explore colleges with the highest SAT, highest ACT, and highest GPA averages.
Washington and Lee University
- Private 4 Year
- Lexington, VA
-
4.3 | 3 reviews
- 14% acceptance rate
- Jan 1 application deadline
Washington and Lee is a highly selective private liberal arts university known for undergraduate business, journalism, and politics. Most undergrads live under a strict student-run honor system on the historic campus in Lexington.
- SAT Range 1430-1540
- Predicted Avg GPA 3.87
- Net Price $23,055
University of Virginia Main Campus
- Public 4 Year
- Charlottesville, VA
-
| 0 reviews
- 17% acceptance rate
UVA is a highly selective public university known for undergraduate commerce, government, and architecture. The historic campus in Charlottesville centers on Thomas Jefferson's Academical Village.
- SAT Range 1410-1540
- Predicted Avg GPA 3.85
- Net Price $18,427
University of Richmond
- Private 4 Year
- University of Richmond, VA
-
5.0 | 1 reviews
- 22% acceptance rate
- Jan 1 application deadline
University of Richmond is a highly selective private university known for undergraduate business and leadership studies. The suburban Collegiate Gothic campus sits in Richmond's West End.
- SAT Range 1410-1530
- Avg GPA 3.71
- Net Price $30,037
University of Virginia's College at Wise
- Public 4 Year
- Wise, VA
-
| 0 reviews
- 29% acceptance rate
- Aug 1 application deadline
UVA Wise is a public liberal arts college known for undergraduate nursing and teacher education. The rural campus sits in the Appalachian Mountains of southwestern Virginia.
- SAT Range 945-1120
- Avg GPA 3.57
- Net Price $14,378
William & Mary
- Public 4 Year
- Williamsburg, VA
-
5.0 | 4 reviews
- 34% acceptance rate
- Jan 2 application deadline
William & Mary is a highly selective public university known for undergraduate history, government, and international relations. The historic campus adjoins Colonial Williamsburg in a small college town.
- SAT Range 1400-1530
- Predicted Avg GPA 3.85
- Net Price $19,686
Regent University
- Private 4 Year
- Virginia Beach, VA
-
| 0 reviews
- 38% acceptance rate
- Aug 1 application deadline
Regent is a private Christian university known for undergraduate communication, government, and the arts. The suburban campus is in Virginia Beach near the Atlantic coast.
- SAT Range 990-1250
- Avg GPA 3.34
- Net Price $20,512
Hampden Sydney College
- Private 4 Year
- Hampden-Sydney, VA
-
4.5 | 2 reviews
- 41% acceptance rate
- Feb 1 application deadline
Hampden-Sydney is a private men's liberal arts college known for undergraduate rhetoric, history, and government. The historic campus sits in a rural setting in south-central Virginia.
- SAT Range 1030-1250
- Avg GPA 3.53
- Net Price $29,717
University of Lynchburg
- Private 4 Year
- Lynchburg, VA
-
5.0 | 1 reviews
- 43% acceptance rate
- Sep 1 application deadline
University of Lynchburg is a private university known for undergraduate nursing and health sciences. Students live on a residential campus in Lynchburg near the Blue Ridge Mountains.
- SAT Range 980-1230
- Avg GPA 3.53
- Net Price $23,845