University of Virginia
Virginia, United States
Founded1819
Research$570.0M
Students18,000 UG / 9,000 PG
Acceptance16.7%
Ratio14:1
Updated February 7, 2026
Overview
Founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1819, the University of Virginia (UVA) is a premier public research institution known for its rigorous liberal arts foundation and comprehensive health system. As a UNESCO World Heritage site, the university is defined by its historic Academical Village and a mission to become one of the best universities in the world by 2030. It operates with a significant multi-billion dollar budget across its Academic Division, Medical Center, and the College at Wise.
The university is organized into 12 distinct schools, covering a wide range of disciplines including Arts & Sciences, Business, Law, Medicine, Engineering, and Data Science. UVA is highly selective, receiving tens of thousands of applications for a limited number of spots, and is dedicated to affordability by meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need for its undergraduate students.
Location
The University of Virginia is headquartered in Charlottesville, Virginia. Its main campus is home to the Academical Village, which is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The university's presence extends beyond Charlottesville into Northern Virginia, with a hub located in Fairfax and Arlington. This includes the Darden DC Metro campus at the Sands Family Grounds in Rosslyn.
On a global scale, the university maintains a significant presence in East Asia through the UVA China Office in Shanghai. The institution also manages specialized facilities such as the Leander McCormick and Fan Mountain observatories. The university is a major regional driver, serving as the largest employer in its area and generating a multi-billion dollar economic impact across the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Charlottesville, United States
Also in: Arlington, United States
Campuses
Charlottesville Campus
MainCharlottesville· United States
UVA Darden DC Metro (Sands Family Grounds)
Arlington· United States
Campus Culture
Student life at UVA is governed by core values of honor, integrity, and respect. The university emphasizes a residential experience, requiring all first-year students to live on Grounds, with plans to expand this requirement to second-year students by 2030. The student body is diverse and international, featuring 3,000 students from 109 different countries among a total population of approximately 27,000 students.
The campus culture is enriched by a vibrant arts scene, including over 200 public performances annually at Old Cabell Hall and a permanent collection of 14,000 objects at the Fralin Museum of Art. Athletics also play a central role in the community; as a member of the ACC, UVA has won 35 NCAA National Team Championships. The university supports 25 Division I sports programs, and its student-athletes maintain a high 96% graduation success rate.
Notable Alumni
The University of Virginia boasts a vast global network of over 230,000 graduates. This includes a specialized network of 19,700 alumni from the Darden School of Business. The university's impact on career outcomes is reflected in its reputation for producing future leaders, ranking third among public schools in this category according to Time Magazine.
The institution's commitment to student success is further evidenced by its graduation rates, which are ranked number one among public universities. Additionally, two-thirds of UVA graduates complete their degrees without college debt, thanks to the university's robust financial aid programs and commitment to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need.
Rankings
UVA is consistently recognized as one of the top public universities in the United States, having maintained a top-five position in U.S. News & World Report rankings for over 25 years. It holds the #1 spot for graduation rates among public universities and is ranked as the top college in Virginia by Forbes.
The university's professional schools also hold high prestige. The Darden School of Business is frequently ranked as the #1 public MBA program for education experience and faculty. Furthermore, Time Magazine has ranked UVA #3 among public schools for producing future leaders, and the university has previously won the Capital One Cup for the best college sports program in the nation.
Research
As a major research hub, the University of Virginia received $570 million in sponsored research awards in fiscal year 2025. The university hosts six pan-University research institutes, including the Environmental Institute, the Brain Institute, and the Karsh Institute of Democracy. Notable scientific achievements from the institution include the identification of the oncogene AVIL and the development of innovative vaccine technologies.
The university is at the forefront of specialized medical and technical research. It houses the Manning Institute of Biotechnology and the UVA Comprehensive Cancer Center, one of only 57 NCI-designated centers in the nation. Additionally, UVA established the first School of Data Science in the United States, which focuses on integrating data science across analytics, systems, design, and value domains.