University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university in Charlottesville, founded by Thomas Jefferson and home to a UNESCO World Heritage–listed Academical Village. Long counted among the nation's premier "public Ivies," UVA admitted about 16.8% of applicants for its most recent class, and enrolled first-years posted middle-50% SAT scores of 1410–1520 and ACT scores of 32–35. The university is test-optional, meets 100% of demonstrated financial need, and pairs elite academics with relatively low in-state tuition. The figures below are drawn directly from UVA's official Common Data Set.
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UVA admissions statistics
Acceptance Rate
Overall acceptance rate, plus the in-state and out-of-state admit rates the school reports separately.
Admit rate by residency
% admitted~1.8× higher admit rate for in-state applicants.
Early Decision
UVA offers binding Early Decision. Applying early can meaningfully change your odds — but ED commits you to enroll if admitted.
Admit rate by application plan
% admitted~1.8× higher admit rate applying early.
Standardized Tests
UVA is currently test-optional — you may apply without submitting scores.
SAT Accepted?
ACT Accepted?
Test Optional?
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Class Rank
Where UVA's enrolled first-years placed in their high school graduating class.
Based on the 34% of enrolled students who reported a class rank. UVA does not publish an average GPA.
Admissions Factors
How UVA weighs each part of your application.
Rigor of High School Record
Academic GPA
Standardized Test Scores
Application Essay
Recommendations
Extracurricular Activities
Character / Personal Qualities
Talent / Ability
First Generation
Level of Applicant's Interest
Class Rank
Volunteer Work
Work Experience
Geographical Residence
State Residency
Alumni Relation
Racial / Ethnic Status
Religious Affiliation
Cost of Attendance
Estimated full-time annual cost from UVA's Common Data Set. Only tuition changes with residency.
Out-of-state students pay $38,381 more — entirely in tuition. Room, board, and other costs are identical regardless of residency.
Financial Aid
Need-based aid statistics for full-time first-year students.
Major Distribution
Bachelor's degrees awarded in the past year by academic major.
Student Diversity
Racial and ethnic breakdown of enrolled undergraduate students.
Student-Faculty Ratio
The number of students for every one faculty member, indicating the average level of access students have to instructional staff.
Campus Life
On-campus housing and Greek life participation rates.
Enrollment by Gender
Since some students did not report gender, totals may not fully reflect the student body.
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Frequently asked questions about UVA admissions
What is UVA's acceptance rate?＋
The University of Virginia admitted about 16.8% of applicants in the most recent cycle, offering admission to roughly 9,909 of about 58,951 applicants and enrolling around 3,961 first-years. Admission is holistic and highly competitive, with the rigor of your high school record, academic GPA, and character all weighed as very important factors.
Is it harder to get into UVA out of state?＋
Yes. As Virginia's public flagship, UVA admits Virginia residents at a significantly higher rate than out-of-state applicants. For the Class of 2029, the in-state admit rate was 23.0% compared to 12.5% for out-of-state applicants — roughly half the chance for non-residents. State residency is explicitly listed as a very important factor in UVA's holistic review.
Does applying Early Decision improve my chances at UVA?＋
UVA offers both a binding Early Decision plan and a nonbinding Early Action plan. In the Early Decision round, UVA admitted about 1,245 of roughly 4,461 applicants, an admit rate near 28% that runs well above the 16.8% overall rate. The tradeoff is that Early Decision is binding, so apply ED only if UVA is your clear first choice.
Does UVA require the SAT or ACT?＋
No. UVA is test-optional, so you may apply without submitting scores. Among enrolled first-years who did submit, the middle 50% scored 1410–1520 on the SAT and 32–35 on the ACT.
Is a 1490 SAT good enough for UVA?＋
A 1490 is competitive at UVA: it sits comfortably inside the middle-50% SAT range of 1410–1520 for enrolled first-years, above the median of 1470 and between the median and the 75th percentile of 1520. About 81% of test-submitters scored 1400 or higher, so a 1490 places you in the bulk of the admitted pool, though UVA remains test-optional and reviews scores only as a considered factor.
What GPA or class rank do you need for UVA?＋
UVA does not publish an average GPA on its Common Data Set, but admitted students cluster at the top of their class: among first-years who reported a rank, about 84% were in the top tenth of their graduating class and 97% were in the top quarter. The rigor of your course load and your academic GPA are both weighed as very important factors.
How much does UVA cost in-state vs. out-of-state, and is aid available?＋
Annual tuition and required fees are about $22,406 for Virginia residents and $60,787 for out-of-state students, with the full cost of attendance higher once UVA's roughly $15,300 housing and food charge is added. Through AccessUVA the university meets 100% of demonstrated financial need; about 34% of first-years receive need-based aid, with an average need-based package near $37,123.
Does the application essay matter at UVA?＋
Yes. UVA rates the application essay as an important factor in its holistic review, alongside recommendations and extracurricular activities, and above standardized test scores, which are only considered. With an acceptance rate near 16.8%, a specific, well-revised essay is one of the clearest ways to stand out.
Source: University of Virginia Common Data Set 2024-2025. Figures transcribed 2026-06-07. Esslo aggregates publicly reported data and is not affiliated with UVA. Banner photo by Phil Roeder, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0).