The Best Virginia Colleges

The Best Colleges in Virginia for 2025

These are the top ranked public and private four-year colleges in Virginia as ranked by CollegeSimply. Leading the list for 2025 as the best overall college in Virginia is Washington and Lee University. The top rated public state college is University of Virginia Main Campus. Learn how the Best Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page.


32 results

Washington and Lee University
W
Lexington, VA

Washington and Lee University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#1 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 2,277enrollment
  • $24,667net price
  • 17%acceptance rate
  • 1410-1530SAT range
  • 32-35ACT range
  • 3.87Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

University of Richmond
R
University of Richmond, VA

University of Richmond

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#2 Best Colleges in Virginia

  • 3,776enrollment
  • $35,263net price
  • 23%acceptance rate
  • 1410-1530SAT range
  • 32-34ACT range
  • 3.71Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

University of Virginia Main Campus
V
Charlottesville, VA

University of Virginia Main Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in America

  • 25,924enrollment
  • $17,831net price
  • 17%acceptance rate
  • 1410-1530SAT range
  • 32-34ACT range
  • 3.85Estimated Avg GPA

College of William and Mary
W
Williamsburg, VA

College of William and Mary

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in America

  • 9,762enrollment
  • $20,422net price
  • 33%acceptance rate
  • 1365-1510SAT range
  • 32-34ACT range
  • 3.85Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 2

Virginia Tech
V
Blacksburg, VA

Virginia Tech

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 38,294enrollment
  • $22,205net price
  • 57%acceptance rate
  • 1240-1420SAT range
  • 27-32ACT range
  • 3.97Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Virginia Military Institute
V
Lexington, VA

Virginia Military Institute

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 1,560enrollment
  • $17,229net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1260SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.65Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

George Mason University
G
Fairfax, VA

George Mason University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 39,527enrollment
  • $18,900net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1340SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

James Madison University
J
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 22,758enrollment
  • $26,317net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1320SAT range
  • 25-29ACT range
  • 3.57Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

University of Mary Washington
M
Fredericksburg, VA

University of Mary Washington

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 3,808enrollment
  • $21,615net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1330SAT range
  • 23-31ACT range
  • 3.71Avg GPA

Roanoke College
R
Salem, VA

Roanoke College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#3 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 1,835enrollment
  • $27,695net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1270SAT range
  • 22-30ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA

Christopher Newport University
C
Newport News, VA

Christopher Newport University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 4,503enrollment
  • $22,864net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1300SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.79Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

Randolph Macon College
R
Ashland, VA

Randolph Macon College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 1,523enrollment
  • $29,058net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1210SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

Radford University
R
Radford, VA

Radford University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 7,531enrollment
  • $18,282net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 950-1170SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

Virginia Commonwealth University
V
Richmond, VA

Virginia Commonwealth University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 28,238enrollment
  • $22,852net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1270SAT range
  • 22-30ACT range
  • 3.75Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 18

Marymount University
M
Arlington, VA

Marymount University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 3,667enrollment
  • $28,147net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 970-1170SAT range
  • 20-28ACT range
  • 3.38Avg GPA

Hampton University
H
HBCU
Hampton, VA

Hampton University

Private 4 Year

6 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 3,649enrollment
  • $28,576net price
  • 48%acceptance rate
  • 857-1226SAT range
  • 12-24ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

Shenandoah University
S
Winchester, VA

Shenandoah University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 4,343enrollment
  • $26,400net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1230SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Old Dominion University
O
Norfolk, VA

Old Dominion University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 22,541enrollment
  • $16,150net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1290SAT range
  • 22-27ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

Emory and Henry College
E
Emory, VA

Emory and Henry College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 1,364enrollment
  • $21,714net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1240SAT range
  • 21-30ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Bridgewater College
B
Bridgewater, VA

Bridgewater College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 1,436enrollment
  • $19,660net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1375SAT range
  • 28-29ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

University of Lynchburg
L
Lynchburg, VA

University of Lynchburg

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 2,592enrollment
  • $22,921net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 980-1230SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

Applications Due Sep 1

Averett University
A
Danville, VA

Averett University

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 1,378enrollment
  • $24,091net price
  • 48%acceptance rate
  • 960-1191SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.07Avg GPA

Longwood University
L
Farmville, VA

Longwood University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 4,545enrollment
  • $22,900net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1190SAT range
  • 22-25ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

Virginia Wesleyan College
V
Norfolk, VA

Virginia Wesleyan College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 1,711enrollment
  • $21,862net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1350SAT range
  • 28-29ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

The University of Virginia's College at Wise
V
Wise, VA

The University of Virginia's College at Wise

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#13 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 1,911enrollment
  • $10,409net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 935-1175SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Liberty University
L
Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 103,068enrollment
  • $29,692net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1250SAT range
  • 21-29ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA

Regent University
R
Virginia Beach, VA

Regent University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 10,168enrollment
  • $18,314net price
  • 41%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1250SAT range
  • 21-26ACT range
  • 3.34Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Virginia State University
V
HBCU
Petersburg, VA

Virginia State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#14 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 5,190enrollment
  • $16,184net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 800-1050SAT range
  • 14-20ACT range
  • 2.85Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

Norfolk State University
N
HBCU
Norfolk, VA

Norfolk State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 6,045enrollment
  • $12,272net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 840-1100SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 2.9Avg GPA

Applications Due May 31

Virginia Union University
V
HBCU
Richmond, VA

Virginia Union University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 1,662enrollment
  • $20,207net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 750-1010SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 2.71Avg GPA

Eastern Mennonite University
E
Harrisonburg, VA

Eastern Mennonite University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#16 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 1,292enrollment
  • $24,710net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1590SAT range
  • 25-34ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Mary Baldwin College
M
Staunton, VA

Mary Baldwin College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#17 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 1,792enrollment
  • $18,838net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 940-1120SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA