Top Rated Virginia Public Colleges

The Best Public Colleges in Virginia for 2024

These are the top ranked public four-year colleges in Virginia as ranked by CollegeSimply. Leading the rankings for 2024 as the best public college in Virginia is University of Virginia Main Campus. Learn how the Best Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page.


15 results

University of Virginia Main Campus
V
Charlottesville, VA

University of Virginia Main Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in America

  • 26,082enrollment
  • $19,469net price
  • 19%acceptance rate
  • 1400-1540SAT 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 Public Universities in America

  • 9,654enrollment
  • $25,688net price
  • 33%acceptance rate
  • 1375-1520SAT 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

  • 38,170enrollment
  • $19,301net price
  • 57%acceptance rate
  • 1240-1430SAT 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

  • 1,512enrollment
  • $18,129net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1105-1300SAT range
  • 22-29ACT 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

  • 39,049enrollment
  • $18,479net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1350SAT range
  • 25-31ACT 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

  • 22,224enrollment
  • $18,274net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1320SAT range
  • 23-29ACT 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

  • 3,757enrollment
  • $21,863net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1340SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.71Avg GPA

Christopher Newport University
C
Newport News, VA

Christopher Newport University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 4,559enrollment
  • $23,287net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1290SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.79Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

Virginia Commonwealth University
V
Richmond, VA

Virginia Commonwealth University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 28,082enrollment
  • $21,294net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1290SAT range
  • 22-30ACT range
  • 3.75Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 18

Radford University
R
Radford, VA

Radford University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 7,718enrollment
  • $17,105net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 960-1160SAT range
  • 19-23ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA

Longwood University
L
Farmville, VA

Longwood University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 4,358enrollment
  • $21,772net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1210SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

Old Dominion University
O
Norfolk, VA

Old Dominion University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#12 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 23,107enrollment
  • $16,098net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1250SAT range
  • 22-27ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

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

  • 1,704enrollment
  • $9,923net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 915-1160SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.57Avg 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

  • 4,648enrollment
  • $15,773net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 830-1030SAT range
  • 14-17ACT 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

  • 5,783enrollment
  • $14,652net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 840-1040SAT range
  • 15-20ACT range
  • 2.9Avg GPA

Applications Due May 31