Colleges with the highest graduation rates in Virginia

Colleges ranked by six-year graduation rate, from federal data.

Colleges with the highest graduation rates in Virginia51 schools

51 schools qualify, ranked by graduation rate. The top 25 are shown.

How this list is made

Schools in Virginia.
Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
Has a graduation rate from federal data (College Scorecard).
Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
Ordered by graduation rate, highest first.

Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.

1
Riverside College of Health Careers
Newport News, VA · Private nonprofit
Top 1% for graduation
- 100% graduate
- 325 undergraduates
1
Chamberlain University-Virginia
Vienna, VA · Private for-profit
Top 1% for graduation
- 100% graduate
- 567 undergraduates
1
Centra College
Lynchburg, VA · Private nonprofit
Top 1% for graduation
- 100% graduate
- 212 undergraduates
4
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA · PublicHonor Roll
Top 2% for graduation
- 96% graduate
- 17,612 undergraduates
5
Washington and Lee University
Lexington, VA · Private nonprofitHonor Roll
#1 in Virginia
- 94% graduate
- 1,898 undergraduates
6
William & Mary
Williamsburg, VA · PublicHonor Roll
Exceptional: Compass grade A
- 89% graduate
- 6,963 undergraduates
7
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg, VA · PublicHonor Roll
Top 6% for graduation
- 86% graduate
- 30,504 undergraduates
8
University of Richmond
University of Richmond, VA · Private nonprofitHonor Roll
Exceptional: Compass grade A
- 85% graduate
- 3,054 undergraduates
9
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA · Public
Top 11% for graduation
- 80% graduate
- 21,006 undergraduates
10
Virginia Military Institute
Lexington, VA · Public
Top 9% for earnings
- 76% graduate
- 1,560 undergraduates
11
Patrick Henry College
Purcellville, VA · Private nonprofit
Excellent: Compass grade A-
- 74% graduate
- 408 undergraduates
12
Christopher Newport University
Newport News, VA · Public
Top 18% for graduation
- 72% graduate
- 4,407 undergraduates
13
Randolph-Macon College
Ashland, VA · Private nonprofit
Top 20% for graduation
- 70% graduate
- 1,500 undergraduates
14
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA · Public
Top 10% for earnings
- 68% graduate
- 27,666 undergraduates
15
Roanoke College
Salem, VA · Private nonprofit
Top 25% for graduation
- 67% graduate
- 1,824 undergraduates
16
Eastern Mennonite University
Harrisonburg, VA · Private nonprofit
Top 25% for graduation
- 67% graduate
- 863 undergraduates
17
Shenandoah University
Winchester, VA · Private nonprofit
Good: Compass grade B
- 67% graduate
- 2,590 undergraduates
18
Washington University of Science and Technology
Alexandria, VA · Private for-profitHonor Roll
Exceptional: Compass grade A
- 67% graduate
- 302 undergraduates
19
University of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, VA · Public
Very good: Compass grade B+
- 66% graduate
- 3,611 undergraduates
20
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA · Private nonprofit
Good: Compass grade B
- 65% graduate
- 52,823 undergraduates
21
Hollins University
Roanoke, VA · Private nonprofit
#17 in Virginia
- 65% graduate
- 673 undergraduates
22
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA · Public
Good: Compass grade B
- 63% graduate
- 21,205 undergraduates
23
Hampden-Sydney College
Hampden-Sydney, VA · Private nonprofit
Top 17% for earnings
- 62% graduate
- 876 undergraduates
24
Longwood University
Farmville, VA · Public
Good: Compass grade B
- 61% graduate
- 3,223 undergraduates
25
University of Lynchburg
Lynchburg, VA · Private nonprofit
Good: Compass grade B
- 57% graduate
- 1,792 undergraduates

Compare cost and outcomes

School	Net price a year	Median debt	Earnings 10 years out	Graduation rate
Riverside College of Health Careers	$20,744	$14,787	$66,072	100%
Chamberlain University-Virginia	$33,199	$20,919	$92,405	100%
Centra College	—	$15,250	$60,122	100%
University of Virginia	$21,565	$17,500	$86,863	96%
Washington and Lee University	$23,781	$19,500	$94,810	94%
William & Mary	$19,096	$18,500	$73,490	89%
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University	$24,953	$21,500	$81,698	86%
University of Richmond	$31,309	$21,000	$76,178	85%
James Madison University	$23,322	$20,093	$69,954	80%
Virginia Military Institute	$17,113	$22,996	$77,369	76%
Patrick Henry College	—	—	—	74%
Christopher Newport University	$23,015	$25,000	$60,509	72%
Randolph-Macon College	$27,866	$27,000	$58,448	70%
George Mason University	$17,915	$19,500	$76,343	68%
Roanoke College	$24,503	$27,000	$58,047	67%
Eastern Mennonite University	$24,588	$24,813	$54,869	67%
Shenandoah University	$30,298	$25,000	$58,433	67%
Washington University of Science and Technology	—	—	—	67%
University of Mary Washington	$20,667	$20,500	$60,613	66%
Liberty University	$29,357	$24,500	$44,813	65%
Hollins University	$20,896	$27,000	$40,075	65%
Virginia Commonwealth University	$23,433	$21,500	$58,128	63%
Hampden-Sydney College	$22,400	$26,000	$67,640	62%
Longwood University	$19,066	$25,000	$52,347	61%
University of Lynchburg	$22,235	$27,000	$56,380	57%

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 →

Colleges with the highest graduation rates in Virginia

How this list is made

Riverside College of Health Careers

Chamberlain University-Virginia

Centra College

University of Virginia

Washington and Lee University

William & Mary

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

University of Richmond

James Madison University

Virginia Military Institute

Patrick Henry College

Christopher Newport University

Randolph-Macon College

George Mason University

Roanoke College

Eastern Mennonite University

Shenandoah University

Washington University of Science and Technology

University of Mary Washington

Liberty University

Hollins University

Virginia Commonwealth University

Hampden-Sydney College

Longwood University

University of Lynchburg

Compare cost and outcomes

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