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Highly selective2026-2027 admissions cycle

University of Virginia acceptance rate and your odds of getting in

With an acceptance rate near 17%, University of Virginia is a highly selective public university in Virginia. Because it turns away most applicants, admission turns on the strength of your whole profile rather than any one number.

Your odds at University of Virginia
Three numbers, no account, the same published model the full calculator runs.

Use this page to see what University of Virginia weighs, where it ranks among Virginia schools, and how a profile like yours is likely to land. Admitted students post a 75th-percentile SAT around 1510, a useful checkpoint for where your scores sit, though it is a reference range and not a cutoff.

Acceptance rate
17%
Highly selective
SAT middle 50%
1410-1540
of admitted students
Type
Public
Charlottesville, VA
Average net price
$21,565
per year after aid

What do students study at University of Virginia?

Bachelor's degrees awarded by field in 2023 (IPEDS completions). Each field has its own page with the school's numbers, the model's major adjustment, and peers offering it.

Liberal Arts and General Studies · 705 (16.2%)Social Sciences · 549 (12.7%)Engineering · 436 (10%)Business, Management and Marketing · 389 (9%)Computer and Information Sciences · 337 (7.8%)Biological and Biomedical Sciences · 262 (6%)Psychology · 179 (4.1%)Health Professions and Related Programs · 174 (4%)Physical Sciences · 170 (3.9%)Mathematics and Statistics · 143 (3.3%)Architecture · 116 (2.7%)Communication and Journalism · 116 (2.7%)

Will I get into University of Virginia?

Direct answers to what applicants ask about getting into University of Virginia, plus a free way to calculate your own odds.

What are my chances of getting into University of Virginia?

University of Virginia admits roughly 17% of applicants, but that overall rate is not your personal chance. Your real odds depend on how your GPA, course rigor, test scores, and activities compare to its admitted students. Run your profile through the free CollegeCalcAI calculator to get a personalized acceptance percentage for University of Virginia in about three minutes, with no account needed to start.

Is University of Virginia hard to get into?

University of Virginia is highly selective: it turns away most applicants, with about a 17% acceptance rate. Strong academics are expected here, so the rest of your profile usually decides the outcome.

What GPA do you need to get into University of Virginia?

There is no hard GPA cutoff at University of Virginia, but most admitted students present roughly a 3.8 to 4.0 GPA with a rigorous course load. University of Virginia reads your GPA alongside the rigor of your courses, so a challenging schedule matters as much as the number itself.

Calculate your chances at University of Virginia →

Your chances at University of Virginia by GPA and SAT

Estimated chance of admission at University of Virginia for plain profiles, from the same model as the calculator. Unweighted GPA, 6 AP courses, Regular Decision, no legacy, athletic or first-generation hook. The last column is test-optional (no score sent).

What are my chances at University of Virginia with a 3.7 GPA and a 1480 SAT?

About 27% (Target), by CollegeCalcAI's deterministic model, for an applicant with a 3.7 unweighted GPA and a 1480 SAT, the middle of University of Virginia's admitted range, applying Regular Decision without a hook. A 3.9 GPA with a 1540 SAT comes out near 34%. Courses, activities, essays and the application round move the number; the free calculator includes them.

Estimated admission chance at University of Virginia by unweighted GPA (rows) and SAT score (columns)
GPASAT 141025th pctSAT 1480middleSAT 154075th pctNo testtest-optional
3.318%Reach21%Reach23%Reach18%Reach
3.521%Reach24%Reach26%Target21%Reach
3.724%Reach27%Target30%Target25%Target
3.928%Target31%Target34%Target29%Target

Estimates, not guarantees. Get yours with your real courses and activities. Assistants and developers can fetch this table from the free API: /api/v1/colleges/university-of-virginia.

How to get into University of Virginia

Built from University of Virginia's admitted class and what it reports weighing. The typical-admit GPA and SAT are CollegeCalcAI's modeled figures, not published cutoffs.

Here is how to get into University of Virginia, built from what its admitted class actually looks like and what the school says it weighs.

Step 1
Match the typical admit on the transcript

CollegeCalcAI's modeled typical admit at University of Virginia carries about a 3.81 core GPA and a 1490 SAT, in the most rigorous schedule available. Landing at or above it makes you competitive; the rest of the file decides.

Step 2
Decide on scores with the real range

The admitted middle 50% is 1410 to 1540 SAT (32 to 35 ACT). Submit a score at 1475 or higher; below 1410, apply test-optional if the policy allows.

Step 3
Build the file around what University of Virginia weighs

University of Virginia rates rigor of secondary school record, academic GPA, and standardized test scores highest in its own Common Data Set. Put your depth there: and a transcript whose rigor rises through junior year.

Step 4
Apply in the round that helps

Most public universities read early applicants first without a binding commitment. Apply by University of Virginia's early or priority deadline (confirm dates at www.virginia.edu), and if you are out of state, know that residency changes both the bar and the price.

See your odds and your top moves at University of Virginia →Add it to your college list →Official site: www.virginia.edu ↗

How many students apply to University of Virginia, and how many get in?

For the fall 2023 entering class, University of Virginia received 56,528 applications and admitted 9,533, an acceptance rate of 16.9%. 3,966 enrolled. Roughly 42% of admitted students enrolled, a typical yield for a school in this range. University of Virginia enrolls about 17,597 undergraduates in total, 56% of them women, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 15 to 1.

Applied
56,528
fall 2023
Admitted
9,533
16.9% of applicants
Enrolled
3,966
42% yield
Undergraduates
17,597
Charlottesville, midsize suburb

Source: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS 2023 admissions and enrollment.

What SAT and ACT scores do you need for University of Virginia?

Admitted students at University of Virginia post SAT scores of 1410 to 1540 in the middle 50%, with an average of 1480. On the ACT the middle 50% runs from 32 to 35. A score above 1540 puts you in the top quarter of admits and turns the test into an asset; a score below 1410 puts you in the bottom quarter, where the rest of the application has to carry more weight. University of Virginia is test-optional: scores are considered if you submit them but not required. Send a score at or above the middle of the admitted range; otherwise apply without one and let your transcript lead.

SAT middle 50%
1410-1540
average 1480
ACT middle 50%
32-35
of admitted students
Test scores
Test-optional
admissions policy

Source: College Scorecard (U.S. Department of Education), release 2026-06-10.

What University of Virginia looks for

What University of Virginia weighs most heavily in its admissions review, informed by its reported Common Data Set.

In its review, University of Virginia leans most on rigor of secondary school record, academic GPA, and standardized test scores. At this level of selectivity, the difference between admits is rarely the transcript alone; essays, recommendations, and a coherent story matter. These ratings come from University of Virginia's reported Common Data Set, so the full chart below reflects what the school itself says it values, not a generic guess.

Rigor of secondary school record
Very important
Academic GPA
Very important
Class rank
Considered
Standardized test scores
Important
Application essay
Important
Recommendations
Important
Interview
Considered
Extracurricular activities
Important
Talent / ability
Important
Character / personal qualities
Important
First-generation status
Considered
Alumni / legacy relation
Considered
Geographical residence
Considered
State residency
Considered
Volunteer work
Considered
Work experience
Considered
Level of applicant interest
Considered

SAT score positioning at University of Virginia

How common SAT scores sit relative to the admitted middle. This is context, not a probability. Your full profile determines the real estimate.

SATWhere it sits at University of Virginia
1600Above the admitted 75th percentile
1500In the competitive admitted range
1400Below the middle, makes the rest of the profile matter more
1300Well below the admitted range
1200Well below the admitted range
1100Well below the admitted range
Colleges for a 1510 SAT →Colleges for a 34 ACT →See colleges by GPA →

How much does University of Virginia cost after financial aid?

The full sticker price at University of Virginia (tuition, fees, housing, food, books) is about $39,926 a year. Tuition and fees are $21,803 for VA residents and $59,512 for out-of-state students, a $37,709 gap that makes residency the single biggest lever on cost. What families actually pay is different: the average net price after grants and scholarships is $21,565 a year, and it ranges from $8,174 for families earning under $30,000 to $35,402 for families earning over $110,000. 16% of undergraduates receive a federal Pell Grant.

Sticker price
$39,926
per year, before aid
Average net price
$21,565
after grants and scholarships
In-state tuition
$21,803
$59,512 out of state
Pell recipients
16%
of undergraduates
Family incomeAverage net price per year
$0 to $30k$8,174
$30k to $48k$9,696
$48k to $75k$13,283
$75k to $110k$20,822
Over $110k$35,402

Source: College Scorecard (U.S. Department of Education), release 2026-06-10. Net price is what students receiving aid paid after grants, by family income.

What do University of Virginia graduates earn, and how many graduate?

Median earnings for University of Virginia students ten years after entry are $86,863 ($72,359 at the six-year mark). 96% of first-time, full-time students graduate within six years, and 98% return for a second year. Among graduates who borrowed, median federal debt at graduation is $17,500; 20% of undergraduates take federal loans.

Median earnings
$86,863
10 years after entry
Graduation rate
96%
within six years
Retention
98%
return for year two
Median debt
$17,500
at graduation, borrowers

Source: College Scorecard (U.S. Department of Education), release 2026-06-10. Earnings cover students who received federal aid.

How University of Virginia compares in Virginia

University of Virginia ranks #2 most selective of 28 schools in Virginia in our database.

Among the 28 Virginia schools we track, University of Virginia ranks #2 most selective by acceptance rate. Schools like Washington and Lee University (14%) and University of Richmond (22%) sit nearby, which makes Virginia a useful frame for calibrating a balanced list. As a public university, residency matters: in-state applicants generally see meaningfully better odds than the headline rate suggests.

Washington and Lee University
14%acceptance · VA
University of Richmond
22%acceptance · VA
William & Mary
34%acceptance · VA
Regent University
38%acceptance · VA
Virginia Tech
55%acceptance · VA
Averett University
57%acceptance · VA
Bluefield University
59%acceptance · VA
Hampton University
62%acceptance · VA
See all Virginia schools →

Similar to University of Virginia

Schools with a similar selectivity profile, worth comparing as you build a balanced list.

Build around University of Virginia with peers at a comparable selectivity, such as University of Michigan, University of North Carolina, and Georgia Tech. Running the same profile against each one in the free calculator is the fastest way to see where you are a reach, a match, or a likely.

University of Michigan
16%acceptance · MI
University of North Carolina
15%acceptance · NC
Georgia Tech
14%acceptance · GA
U.S. Air Force Academy
14%acceptance · CO
Florida A&M University
21%acceptance · FL
Babson College
17%acceptance · MA

Frequently asked questions

What is University of Virginia's acceptance rate?

University of Virginia admitted 9,533 of 56,528 applicants for the fall 2023 entering class, an acceptance rate of 16.9% (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS). 42% of admitted students enrolled.

What SAT score do you need for University of Virginia?

The middle 50% of admitted students scored 1410 to 1540 on the SAT and 32 to 35 on the ACT. A score above 1540 is in the top quarter of admits. University of Virginia is test-optional, so only submit a score that helps.

Is University of Virginia test-optional?

Yes. University of Virginia reports that test scores are considered but not required. Submit a score at or above the middle of the admitted range; otherwise apply without one.

How much does University of Virginia cost after financial aid?

The average net price at University of Virginia, what students receiving aid paid after grants and scholarships, is $21,565 a year against a sticker price of about $39,926. Families earning under $30,000 paid about $8,174 on average.

What do University of Virginia graduates earn?

Median earnings ten years after entering University of Virginia are $86,863 a year among students who received federal aid, and 96% of students graduate within six years (College Scorecard).

What does University of Virginia value most in applicants?

Based on its admissions profile, University of Virginia weighs rigor of secondary school record, academic GPA, and standardized test scores most heavily. The full factor breakdown is on this page.

Does University of Virginia favor in-state applicants?

As a public university, University of Virginia generally admits in-state applicants at a higher rate than out-of-state applicants, so your home state affects your odds. CollegeCalcAI applies an in-state residency boost when you select your state.

How can I improve my chances at University of Virginia?

Focus on the highest-leverage parts of your application: course rigor and GPA trajectory first, then test scores, then a focused leadership or activity spike. CollegeCalcAI's Power-Ups quantify how much each change would move your odds at University of Virginia specifically.

How does residency affect admission to University of Virginia?

As a public university, University of Virginia typically admits in-state students at a higher rate, and tuition differs sharply by residency. Select your home state in the calculator to fold the in-state effect into your estimate.

What makes an application stand out at University of Virginia?

Beyond strong academics, University of Virginia rewards a clear, specific story: focused activities with real impact, essays in an authentic voice, and recommendations that corroborate it. Depth beats a long list of unrelated activities.

Acceptance rate, application counts, admitted test ranges, cost, and outcomes reflect publicly reported federal data (U.S. Department of Education: IPEDS 2023 and the College Scorecard) and each school's Common Data Set; figures are rounded and lag the current cycle by one to two years, so confirm deadlines and policies on the school's own site. The typical-admit GPA and SAT are CollegeCalcAI's modeled estimates. Estimates from CollegeCalcAI are a planning tool computed by a fixed, transparent model, not a guarantee of any admission decision.