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Best small colleges in Virginia

Colleges with fewer than 2,000 undergraduates, ranked by Compass Score.

Best small colleges in Virginia30 schools

30 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.
  • Fewer than 2,000 undergraduate students (federal enrollment).
  • 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. 1

    Washington and Lee University

    Lexington, VA · Private nonprofitHonor Roll

    #1 in Virginia

    • 1,898 undergraduates
    • 94% graduate
  2. 2

    Riverside College of Health Careers

    Newport News, VA · Private nonprofit

    Top 1% for graduation

    • 325 undergraduates
    • 100% graduate
  3. 3

    Washington University of Science and Technology

    Alexandria, VA · Private for-profitHonor Roll

    Exceptional: Compass grade A

    • 302 undergraduates
    • 67% graduate
  4. 4

    Chamberlain University-Virginia

    Vienna, VA · Private for-profit

    Top 1% for graduation

    • 567 undergraduates
    • 100% graduate
  5. 5

    Centra College

    Lynchburg, VA · Private nonprofit

    Top 1% for graduation

    • 212 undergraduates
    • 100% graduate
  6. 6

    Patrick Henry College

    Purcellville, VA · Private nonprofit

    Excellent: Compass grade A-

    • 408 undergraduates
    • 74% graduate
  7. 7

    Virginia Military Institute

    Lexington, VA · Public

    Top 9% for earnings

    • 1,560 undergraduates
    • 76% graduate
  8. 8

    Hampden-Sydney College

    Hampden-Sydney, VA · Private nonprofit

    Top 17% for earnings

    • 876 undergraduates
    • 62% graduate
  9. 9

    Hollins University

    Roanoke, VA · Private nonprofit

    #17 in Virginia

    • 673 undergraduates
    • 65% graduate
  10. 10

    Roanoke College

    Salem, VA · Private nonprofit

    Top 25% for graduation

    • 1,824 undergraduates
    • 67% graduate
  11. 11

    Randolph-Macon College

    Ashland, VA · Private nonprofit

    Top 20% for graduation

    • 1,500 undergraduates
    • 70% graduate
  12. 12

    University of Virginia's College at Wise

    Wise, VA · Public

    Top 13% for low net price

    • 1,911 undergraduates
    • 47% graduate
  13. 13

    University of Lynchburg

    Lynchburg, VA · Private nonprofit

    Good: Compass grade B

    • 1,792 undergraduates
    • 57% graduate
  14. 14

    Eastern Mennonite University

    Harrisonburg, VA · Private nonprofit

    Top 25% for graduation

    • 863 undergraduates
    • 67% graduate
  15. 15

    American National University

    Salem, VA · Private for-profit

    Top 14% for low debt

    • 643 undergraduates
    • 33% graduate
  16. 16

    Sweet Briar College

    Sweet Briar, VA · Private nonprofit

    Good: Compass grade B

    • 464 undergraduates
    • 52% graduate
  17. 17

    Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach

    Virginia Beach, VA · Private nonprofit

    Top 21% for low net price

    • 1,339 undergraduates
    • 24% graduate
  18. 18

    Bridgewater College

    Bridgewater, VA · Private nonprofit

    Good: Compass grade B

    • 1,391 undergraduates
    • 53% graduate
  19. 19

    South University-Virginia Beach

    Virginia Beach, VA · Private for-profit

    Good: Compass grade B-

    • 252 undergraduates
    • 8% graduate
  20. 20

    Emory & Henry University

    Emory, VA · Private nonprofit

    Good: Compass grade B-

    • 1,107 undergraduates
    • 56% graduate
  21. 21

    Averett University

    Danville, VA · Private nonprofit

    Good: Compass grade B-

    • 1,180 undergraduates
    • 48% graduate
  22. 22

    Randolph College

    Lynchburg, VA · Private nonprofit

    Good: Compass grade B-

    • 541 undergraduates
    • 46% graduate
  23. 23

    Virginia University of Lynchburg

    Lynchburg, VA · Private nonprofit

    #40 in Virginia

    • 170 undergraduates
    • 38% graduate
  24. 24

    Mary Baldwin University

    Staunton, VA · Private nonprofit

    Top 24% for low net price

    • 1,217 undergraduates
    • 39% graduate
  25. 25

    Virginia Wesleyan University

    Virginia Beach, VA · Private nonprofit

    #42 in Virginia

    • 1,626 undergraduates
    • 42% graduate

Compare cost and outcomes

SchoolNet price a yearMedian debtEarnings 10 years outGraduation rate
Washington and Lee University$23,781$19,500$94,81094%
Riverside College of Health Careers$20,744$14,787$66,072100%
Washington University of Science and Technology———67%
Chamberlain University-Virginia$33,199$20,919$92,405100%
Centra College—$15,250$60,122100%
Patrick Henry College———74%
Virginia Military Institute$17,113$22,996$77,36976%
Hampden-Sydney College$22,400$26,000$67,64062%
Hollins University$20,896$27,000$40,07565%
Roanoke College$24,503$27,000$58,04767%
Randolph-Macon College$27,866$27,000$58,44870%
University of Virginia's College at Wise$9,210$16,750$45,32547%
University of Lynchburg$22,235$27,000$56,38057%
Eastern Mennonite University$24,588$24,813$54,86967%
American National University$18,036$12,814$26,37033%
Sweet Briar College$17,758$27,000$51,94352%
Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach$12,038$21,549$32,56824%
Bridgewater College$17,800$26,000$53,45353%
South University-Virginia Beach$27,843$26,123$34,4218%
Emory & Henry University$19,061$26,332$47,38556%
Averett University$22,925$25,000$51,51648%
Randolph College$15,921$26,950$53,40946%
Virginia University of Lynchburg$21,253$24,250$28,39638%
Mary Baldwin University$12,756$26,586$44,42739%
Virginia Wesleyan University$19,676$27,000$50,07442%

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

This list in other states

The national list → · All top school lists →

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