Best colleges for NCAA Division III athletes in Virginia
Colleges that compete in NCAA Division III athletics, ranked by Compass Score.
Best colleges for NCAA Division III athletes in Virginia19 schools
19 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score.
How this list is made
- Schools in Virginia.
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- Competes in NCAA Division III (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
Washington and Lee University
Lexington, VA · Private nonprofitHonor Roll#1 in Virginia
- NCAA Division III athletics
- 94% graduate
- 2
Hampden-Sydney College
Hampden-Sydney, VA · Private nonprofitTop 17% for earnings
- NCAA Division III athletics
- 62% graduate
- 3
University of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, VA · PublicVery good: Compass grade B+
- NCAA Division III athletics
- 66% graduate
- 4
Christopher Newport University
Newport News, VA · PublicTop 18% for graduation
- NCAA Division III athletics
- 72% graduate
- 5
Hollins University
Roanoke, VA · Private nonprofit#17 in Virginia
- NCAA Division III athletics
- 65% graduate
- 6
Roanoke College
Salem, VA · Private nonprofitTop 25% for graduation
- NCAA Division III athletics
- 67% graduate
- 7
Randolph-Macon College
Ashland, VA · Private nonprofitTop 20% for graduation
- NCAA Division III athletics
- 70% graduate
- 8Tie
Shenandoah University
Winchester, VA · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B
- NCAA Division III athletics
- 67% graduate
- 8Tie
University of Lynchburg
Lynchburg, VA · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B
- NCAA Division III athletics
- 57% graduate
- 10
Eastern Mennonite University
Harrisonburg, VA · Private nonprofitTop 25% for graduation
- NCAA Division III athletics
- 67% graduate
- 11
Sweet Briar College
Sweet Briar, VA · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B
- NCAA Division III athletics
- 52% graduate
- 12
Bridgewater College
Bridgewater, VA · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B
- NCAA Division III athletics
- 53% graduate
- 13
Averett University
Danville, VA · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B-
- NCAA Division III athletics
- 48% graduate
- 14
Randolph College
Lynchburg, VA · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B-
- NCAA Division III athletics
- 46% graduate
- 15
Marymount University
Arlington, VA · Private nonprofitTop 17% for earnings
- NCAA Division III athletics
- 54% graduate
- 16
Mary Baldwin University
Staunton, VA · Private nonprofitTop 24% for low net price
- NCAA Division III athletics
- 39% graduate
- 17
Virginia Wesleyan University
Virginia Beach, VA · Private nonprofit#42 in Virginia
- NCAA Division III athletics
- 42% graduate
- 18
Southern Virginia University
Buena Vista, VA · Private nonprofit#45 in Virginia
- NCAA Division III athletics
- 33% graduate
- 19
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington and Lee University | About $24,000 | $19,500 | $94,810 | 94% |
| Hampden-Sydney College | About $22,000 | $26,000 | $67,640 | 62% |
| University of Mary Washington | About $21,000 | $20,500 | $60,613 | 66% |
| Christopher Newport University | About $23,000 | $25,000 | $60,509 | 72% |
| Hollins University | About $21,000 | $27,000 | $40,075 | 65% |
| Roanoke College | About $25,000 | $27,000 | $58,047 | 67% |
| Randolph-Macon College | About $28,000 | $27,000 | $58,448 | 70% |
| Shenandoah University | About $30,000 | $25,000 | $58,433 | 67% |
| University of Lynchburg | About $22,000 | $27,000 | $56,380 | 57% |
| Eastern Mennonite University | About $25,000 | $24,813 | $54,869 | 67% |
| Sweet Briar College | About $18,000 | $27,000 | $51,943 | 52% |
| Bridgewater College | About $18,000 | $26,000 | $53,453 | 53% |
| Averett University | About $23,000 | $25,000 | $51,516 | 48% |
| Randolph College | About $16,000 | $26,950 | $53,409 | 46% |
| Marymount University | About $29,000 | $25,000 | $67,516 | 54% |
| Mary Baldwin University | About $13,000 | $26,586 | $44,427 | 39% |
| Virginia Wesleyan University | About $20,000 | $27,000 | $50,074 | 42% |
| Southern Virginia University | About $22,000 | $24,224 | $50,002 | 33% |
| Ferrum College | About $20,000 | $27,000 | $44,296 | 32% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.
This list in other states
- Arkansas 3
- California 13
- Connecticut 10
- District of Columbia 3
- Georgia 8
- Illinois 21
- Indiana 10
- Iowa 10
- Kentucky 5
- Maine 11
- Maryland 9
- Massachusetts 38
- Michigan 7
- Minnesota 19
- Mississippi 3
- Missouri 3
- New Hampshire 5
- New Jersey 14
- New York 60
- North Carolina 10
- Ohio 21
- Oregon 6
- Pennsylvania 60
- Rhode Island 4
- Tennessee 3
- Texas 15
- Vermont 3
- Washington 4
- Wisconsin 24