Best Virginia Colleges

Ranked list of Colleges and Universities in Virginia for 2025

There are 97 colleges and universities in Virginia enrolling 544,782 students. Explore the list of top colleges in Virginia below to begin your college search. The CollegeSimply rankings are objective and data-driven in order to help you find good matches for you. Learn how the Best Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page. Whether you're searching for a good public, private or community college, this guide to universities in Virginia offers a comprehensive view to the state's higher education options.

 Virginia is home to nationally ranked institutions like Washington and Lee University, University of Richmond, University of Virginia Main Campus and College of William and Mary. The highest ranked college in Virginia is Washington and Lee University and the top rated public state college is University of Virginia Main Campus.

Local college options can be explored in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake and Arlington or other cities.


97 results

List of the Best Virginia Colleges

Washington and Lee University
W
Lexington, VA

Washington and Lee University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#1 Best 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

#3 Best Colleges in Virginia

  • 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

#4 Best Colleges in Virginia

  • 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

#5 Best Colleges 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

#6 Best Colleges 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

#7 Best Colleges 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

#8 Best Colleges 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

#9 Best Colleges 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

#10 Best 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

#11 Best Colleges 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

#12 Best 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

1 reviews

#13 Best Colleges 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

#14 Best Colleges 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

#15 Best 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

5 reviews

#16 Best 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

#17 Best 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

#18 Best Colleges in Virginia

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

Applications Due Feb 1