University of Virginia's College at Wise

  • 5/10 Overall Rating
  • 4 Year
  • Wise, VA
  • 0 reviews
#13 Best Public Universities in Virginia

Overview

Total enrollment

2,167
University of Virginia's College at Wise overview
University of Virginia's College at Wise overview
  • Size Small
  • Status Non-profit
  • Housing Yes
  • Level of Study Undergrad

The University of Virginia's College at Wise (UVA Wise) is located in the Appalachian Mountains of Southwest Virginia, situated in the town of Wise, approximately 60 miles from the Tennessee border. As the only branch campus of the University of Virginia, UVA Wise occupies a 396-acre campus characterized by a mix of historic and modern buildings, reflecting both its 1954 founding and recent expansions. The liberal arts college maintains small class sizes and operates as a primarily residential campus, with most students living in one of the seven residence halls. Academic programs focus on liberal arts and sciences, with notable strengths in business, education, and software engineering, while the institution also supports research opportunities through its undergraduate research program. The Highland Cavaliers compete in NCAA Division II athletics, primarily in the South Atlantic Conference.

Ratings

UVa-Wise is rated within the lower 42% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 5 out of 10.

  • Overall Rating
    5 out of 10
  • Academics
    4 out of 10
  • Resources
    7 out of 10
  • Outcomes
    4 out of 10
  • Value
    5 out of 10

Admissions

Admission Standards

Extremely Easy
University of Virginia's College at Wise admission standards
  • SAT (enrolled mid-50) 945/1120
  • ACT (enrolled mid-50) 18/22
  • GPA 3.57

Acceptance Rate

28.5%
University of Virginia's College at Wise applications overview
  • Applications Due Aug 1, 2027
  • Enrollment Rate 15.1%
  • Application Fee $0

Applicant Competition High

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Annual Cost to Attend

Virginia Resident Tuition

$11,780

Out of State Resident Tuition

$28,010

Breakdown

In State Costs for University of Virginia's College at Wise
  • Tuition $11,780
  • Books and Supplies $1,600
  • Other Fees $5,620
  • Room and Board $12,816
  • Budget for Other Expenses $2,410
  • Total One Year Cost $34,226

Student Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$42,100 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

39% within 6 years

Popular Areas of Study

Popular majors at University of Virginia's College at Wise are Social Sciences, Liberal Arts and Humanities, and Business. 28% of students major in Social Sciences, 21% in Liberal Arts and Humanities, and 17% in Business.

  • Social Sciences 28%
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities 21%
  • Business 17%
  • General Studies 10%
  • History 7%

More Colleges to Consider

Students considering University of Virginia's College at Wise are frequently interested in these similar colleges.

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=233897.

GPA calculator: University of Virginia's College at Wise GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026