Best colleges for NCAA Division I athletes in Virginia
Colleges that compete in NCAA Division I athletics, ranked by Compass Score.
Best colleges for NCAA Division I athletes in Virginia14 schools
14 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score.
How this list is made
- Schools in Virginia.
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- Competes in NCAA Division I (the school's athletics association, from federal and association data).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by Compass Score, highest first. Schools with the same score share a rank.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA · PublicHonor RollTop 2% for graduation
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 96% graduate
- 2
University of Richmond
University of Richmond, VA · Private nonprofitHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 85% graduate
- 3
William & Mary
Williamsburg, VA · PublicHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 89% graduate
- 4
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg, VA · PublicHonor RollTop 6% for graduation
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 86% graduate
- 5
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA · PublicTop 11% for graduation
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 80% graduate
- 6
Virginia Military Institute
Lexington, VA · PublicTop 9% for earnings
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 76% graduate
- 7
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA · PublicTop 10% for earnings
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 68% graduate
- 8
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA · PublicGood: Compass grade B
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 63% graduate
- 9
- 10
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 65% graduate
- 11
Hampton University
Hampton, VA · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 57% graduate
- 12
Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA · PublicGood: Compass grade B
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 46% graduate
- 13
- 14
Norfolk State University
Norfolk, VA · PublicSolid: Compass grade C+
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 39% graduate
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Virginia | About $22,000 | $17,500 | $86,863 | 96% |
| University of Richmond | About $31,000 | $21,000 | $76,178 | 85% |
| William & Mary | About $19,000 | $18,500 | $73,490 | 89% |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | About $25,000 | $21,500 | $81,698 | 86% |
| James Madison University | About $23,000 | $20,093 | $69,954 | 80% |
| Virginia Military Institute | About $17,000 | $22,996 | $77,369 | 76% |
| George Mason University | About $18,000 | $19,500 | $76,343 | 68% |
| Virginia Commonwealth University | About $23,000 | $21,500 | $58,128 | 63% |
| Longwood University | About $19,000 | $25,000 | $52,347 | 61% |
| Liberty University | About $29,000 | $24,500 | $44,813 | 65% |
| Hampton University | About $25,000 | $25,442 | $59,159 | 57% |
| Old Dominion University | About $15,000 | $24,000 | $54,914 | 46% |
| Radford University | About $15,000 | $24,000 | $53,739 | 49% |
| Norfolk State University | About $15,000 | $29,000 | $44,666 | 39% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.
This list in other states
- Alabama 10
- Arizona 5
- Arkansas 5
- California 26
- Colorado 5
- Connecticut 6
- District of Columbia 4
- Florida 14
- Georgia 6
- Idaho 3
- Illinois 13
- Indiana 11
- Iowa 4
- Kansas 3
- Kentucky 8
- Louisiana 12
- Maryland 9
- Massachusetts 9
- Michigan 7
- Mississippi 6
- Missouri 6
- Nebraska 3
- New Jersey 8
- New York 23
- North Carolina 19
- Ohio 13
- Oklahoma 4
- Oregon 4
- Pennsylvania 15
- Rhode Island 4
- South Carolina 12
- Tennessee 12
- Texas 26
- Utah 7
- Washington 5
- Wisconsin 4