The Best Virginia Small Colleges

The Best Small Colleges in Virginia for 2025

These are the top ranked small, public and private, four-year colleges in Virginia as ranked by CollegeSimply. These schools all have undergraduate enrollment under 3,000. Small colleges allow students a more intimate and personalized experience where it's more likely you will get to know your professors. Leading the list for 2025 is Washington and Lee University. Learn how the Best Small Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page.


13 results

Washington and Lee University
W
Lexington, VA

Washington and Lee University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#1 Best Private 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

Virginia Military Institute
V
Lexington, VA

Virginia Military Institute

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 1,560enrollment
  • $17,229net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1260SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.65Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

Roanoke College
R
Salem, VA

Roanoke College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#3 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 1,835enrollment
  • $27,695net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1270SAT range
  • 22-30ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA

Randolph Macon College
R
Ashland, VA

Randolph Macon College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#4 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 1,523enrollment
  • $29,058net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1210SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

Emory and Henry College
E
Emory, VA

Emory and Henry College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 1,364enrollment
  • $21,714net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1240SAT range
  • 21-30ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA

Bridgewater College
B
Bridgewater, VA

Bridgewater College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 1,436enrollment
  • $19,660net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1375SAT range
  • 28-29ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

University of Lynchburg
L
Lynchburg, VA

University of Lynchburg

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 2,592enrollment
  • $22,921net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 980-1230SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA

Applications Due Sep 1

Averett University
A
Danville, VA

Averett University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 1,378enrollment
  • $24,091net price
  • 48%acceptance rate
  • 960-1191SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.07Avg GPA

Virginia Wesleyan College
V
Norfolk, VA

Virginia Wesleyan College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 1,711enrollment
  • $21,862net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1350SAT range
  • 28-29ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

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

  • 1,911enrollment
  • $10,409net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 935-1175SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Virginia Union University
V
HBCU
Richmond, VA

Virginia Union University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 1,662enrollment
  • $20,207net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 750-1010SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 2.71Avg GPA

Eastern Mennonite University
E
Harrisonburg, VA

Eastern Mennonite University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#16 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 1,292enrollment
  • $24,710net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1590SAT range
  • 25-34ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA

Mary Baldwin College
M
Staunton, VA

Mary Baldwin College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#17 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 1,792enrollment
  • $18,838net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 940-1120SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA