Virginia Colleges with low acceptance rates

Colleges with the Lowest Acceptance Rate in Virginia for 2025

These are the most selective public and private four-year colleges in Virginia. The list is ranked by acceptance rate, lowest to highest and limited to schools which reject at least half of all applicants. Leading the list is University of Virginia Main Campus which sent acceptance letters to only 17% of the 56,528 students who applied and rejected 83%.

Not all schools on the most selective list are overly academically challenging. Some schools with less rigorous test and high school GPA requirements may receive a large numbers of qualified applicants and the school does not have space to admit them all.

If you're looking for challenging colleges, explore rankings of Virginia colleges with the highest SAT scores, highest ACT scores and highest GPA's.
Virginia Low Acceptance % Public Private 4 year

8 results

University of Virginia Main Campus
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V
Charlottesville, VA

University of Virginia Main Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

17% Acceptance Rate

#4 Best Public Universities in America

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

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Washington and Lee University
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W
Lexington, VA

Washington and Lee University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

17% Acceptance Rate

#1 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

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

Applications Due Jan 1

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University of Richmond
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University of Richmond, VA

University of Richmond

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

23% Acceptance Rate

#2 Best Colleges in Virginia

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

Applications Due Jan 1

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College of William and Mary
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W
Williamsburg, VA

College of William and Mary

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

33% Acceptance Rate

#6 Best Public Universities in America

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

Applications Due Jan 2

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Regent University
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R
Virginia Beach, VA

Regent University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

41% Acceptance Rate

#14 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

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

Applications Due Aug 1

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Averett University
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A
Danville, VA

Averett University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

48% Acceptance Rate

#11 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

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

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Hampton University
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H
HBCU
Hampton, VA

Hampton University

Private 4 Year

5 reviews

48% Acceptance Rate

#6 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

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

Applications Due Mar 1

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Hampden Sydney College
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H
Hampden-Sydney, VA

Hampden Sydney College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

50% Acceptance Rate

 

  • 876enrollment
  • $29,578net price
  • 1060-1230SAT range
  • 22-31ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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