Best colleges in Virginia

Every accredited four-year college ranked by the Compass Score: outcomes, entering students, cost and teaching, from federal data.

Best colleges in Virginia51 schools

51 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score. The top 25 are shown.

How this list is made

Schools in Virginia.
Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
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
- Value grade B+ · Top 21%
- 94% graduate
2
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA · PublicHonor Roll
Top 2% for graduation
- Value grade A · Top 10%
- 96% graduate
3
Riverside College of Health Careers
Newport News, VA · Private nonprofit
Top 1% for graduation
- Value grade A- · Top 13%
- 100% graduate
4
University of Richmond
University of Richmond, VA · Private nonprofitHonor Roll
Exceptional: Compass grade A
- Value grade B · Top 50%
- 85% graduate
5
William & Mary
Williamsburg, VA · PublicHonor Roll
Exceptional: Compass grade A
- Value grade A · Top 8%
- 89% graduate
6
Washington University of Science and Technology
Alexandria, VA · Private for-profitHonor Roll
Exceptional: Compass grade A
- 67% graduate
7
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg, VA · PublicHonor Roll
Top 6% for graduation
- Value grade B+ · Top 29%
- 86% graduate
8
Chamberlain University-Virginia
Vienna, VA · Private for-profit
Top 1% for graduation
- Value grade B-
- 100% graduate
9
Centra College
Lynchburg, VA · Private nonprofit
Top 1% for graduation
- 100% graduate
10
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA · Public
Top 11% for graduation
- Value grade B+ · Top 27%
- 80% graduate
11
Patrick Henry College
Purcellville, VA · Private nonprofit
Excellent: Compass grade A-
- 74% graduate
12
Virginia Military Institute
Lexington, VA · Public
Top 9% for earnings
- Value grade A · Top 10%
- 76% graduate
13
Hampden-Sydney College
Hampden-Sydney, VA · Private nonprofit
Top 17% for earnings
- Value grade B · Top 42%
- 62% graduate
14
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA · Public
Top 10% for earnings
- Value grade A · Top 6%
- 68% graduate
15
University of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, VA · Public
Very good: Compass grade B+
- Value grade B+ · Top 33%
- 66% graduate
16
Christopher Newport University
Newport News, VA · Public
Top 18% for graduation
- Value grade B
- 72% graduate
17
Hollins University
Roanoke, VA · Private nonprofit
#17 in Virginia
- Value grade C+
- 65% graduate
18
Roanoke College
Salem, VA · Private nonprofit
Top 25% for graduation
- Value grade B-
- 67% graduate
19
Regent University
Virginia Beach, VA · Private nonprofit
Very good: Compass grade B+
- Value grade B-
- 57% graduate
20
Randolph-Macon College
Ashland, VA · Private nonprofit
Top 20% for graduation
- Value grade C+
- 70% graduate
21
University of Virginia's College at Wise
Wise, VA · Public
Top 13% for low net price
- Value grade A- · Top 17%
- 47% graduate
22
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA · Public
Good: Compass grade B
- Value grade B · Top 49%
- 63% graduate
23
Shenandoah University
Winchester, VA · Private nonprofit
Good: Compass grade B
- Value grade C+
- 67% graduate
23
University of Lynchburg
Lynchburg, VA · Private nonprofit
Good: Compass grade B
- Value grade B-
- 57% graduate
25
Eastern Mennonite University
Harrisonburg, VA · Private nonprofit
Top 25% for graduation
- Value grade B-
- 67% graduate

Compare cost and outcomes

School	Net price a year	Median debt	Earnings 10 years out	Graduation rate
Washington and Lee University	$23,781	$19,500	$94,810	94%
University of Virginia	$21,565	$17,500	$86,863	96%
Riverside College of Health Careers	$20,744	$14,787	$66,072	100%
University of Richmond	$31,309	$21,000	$76,178	85%
William & Mary	$19,096	$18,500	$73,490	89%
Washington University of Science and Technology	—	—	—	67%
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University	$24,953	$21,500	$81,698	86%
Chamberlain University-Virginia	$33,199	$20,919	$92,405	100%
Centra College	—	$15,250	$60,122	100%
James Madison University	$23,322	$20,093	$69,954	80%
Patrick Henry College	—	—	—	74%
Virginia Military Institute	$17,113	$22,996	$77,369	76%
Hampden-Sydney College	$22,400	$26,000	$67,640	62%
George Mason University	$17,915	$19,500	$76,343	68%
University of Mary Washington	$20,667	$20,500	$60,613	66%
Christopher Newport University	$23,015	$25,000	$60,509	72%
Hollins University	$20,896	$27,000	$40,075	65%
Roanoke College	$24,503	$27,000	$58,047	67%
Regent University	$19,923	$24,534	$44,498	57%
Randolph-Macon College	$27,866	$27,000	$58,448	70%
University of Virginia's College at Wise	$9,210	$16,750	$45,325	47%
Virginia Commonwealth University	$23,433	$21,500	$58,128	63%
Shenandoah University	$30,298	$25,000	$58,433	67%
University of Lynchburg	$22,235	$27,000	$56,380	57%
Eastern Mennonite University	$24,588	$24,813	$54,869	67%

Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.

The national list → · All top school lists →

Best colleges in Virginia

How this list is made

Washington and Lee University

University of Virginia

Riverside College of Health Careers

University of Richmond

William & Mary

Washington University of Science and Technology

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Chamberlain University-Virginia

Centra College

James Madison University

Patrick Henry College

Virginia Military Institute

Hampden-Sydney College

George Mason University

University of Mary Washington

Christopher Newport University

Hollins University

Roanoke College

Regent University

Randolph-Macon College

University of Virginia's College at Wise

Virginia Commonwealth University

Shenandoah University

University of Lynchburg

Eastern Mennonite University

Compare cost and outcomes

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