University of Virginia: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics

Dr. Allen Grove is an Alfred University English professor and a college admissions expert with over 20 years of experience helping students transition to college.

University of Virginia is a public research university with an acceptance rate of 24%. Due to its many strengths, the University of Virginia ranks among the top Virginia colleges, top southeastern colleges, top national public universities, and top business schools. UVA is one of the most selective public universities in the country, and the university has one of the highest graduation rates among public universities.

Considering applying to UVA? Here are the admissions statistics you should know, including average SAT/ACT scores and GPAs of admitted students.

Why the University of Virginia?

• Location: Charlottesville, Virginia (one of the nation's best college towns)
• Campus Features: Established over 200 years ago by Thomas Jefferson, UVA has one of the most beautiful and historic campuses in the country. Jefferson's home at Monticello is nearby.
• Student/Faculty Ratio: 14:1
• Athletics: The University of Virginia Cavaliers (also known as the Wahoos and Hoos) compete in the NCAA Division I Atlantic Coast Conference.
• Highlights: One of the top public universities in the nation, UVA has strengths spanning the arts, humanities, social sciences, and STEM fields. The school is an excellent value for in-state students.

Acceptance Rate

During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, University of Virginia had an acceptance rate of 24%. This means that for every 100 students who applied, 24 students were admitted, making UVA's admissions process highly competitive.

The admissions data in the graph is self-reported by applicants to University of Virginia. GPAs are unweighted. Find out how you compare to accepted students, see the real-time graph, and calculate your chances of getting in with a free Cappex account.

Admissions Chances

University of Virginia has a highly competitive admissions pool with a low acceptance rate and high average GPAs and SAT/ACT scores. However, UVA has a holistic admissions process involving other factors beyond your grades and test scores. A strong application essay and glowing letters of recommendation can strengthen your application, as can participation in meaningful extracurricular activities and a rigorous course schedule. The admissions folks will be looking for students who have challenged themselves throughout high school rather than taking easy courses. High grades in Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and Honors classes can all play an important role in the admissions process, for these classes provide a good measure of college readiness.

Even with an "A" average and strong standardized test scores, an applicant has no guarantee of admission. As the graph reveals, hidden beneath the blue and green of the graph is a lot of red. Many students with scores and grades that were on target for UVA were rejected. The opposite is also true: some students were accepted with test scores and grades a bit below the norm.