Colleges where the most freshmen return in Virginia
Colleges ranked by first-year retention: the share of full-time freshmen who come back for a second year.
Colleges where the most freshmen return in Virginia20 schools
20 schools qualify, ranked by first-year retention.
How this list is made
- Schools in Virginia.
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- Academic Excellence grade B+ or better (the top 35% of rated colleges).
- Has a first-year retention rate from federal data (College Scorecard).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by retention rate, highest first.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
Chamberlain University-Virginia
Vienna, VA · Private for-profitTop 1% for graduation
- 100% of freshmen return
- 100% graduate
- 2
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA · PublicHonor RollTop 2% for graduation
- 98% of freshmen return
- 96% graduate
- 3
Washington and Lee University
Lexington, VA · Private nonprofitHonor Roll#1 in Virginia
- 97% of freshmen return
- 94% graduate
- 4
William & Mary
Williamsburg, VA · PublicHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A
- 95% of freshmen return
- 89% graduate
- 5
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg, VA · PublicHonor RollTop 6% for graduation
- 93% of freshmen return
- 86% graduate
- 6
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA · PublicTop 11% for graduation
- 92% of freshmen return
- 80% graduate
- 7
University of Richmond
University of Richmond, VA · Private nonprofitHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A
- 91% of freshmen return
- 85% graduate
- 8
Patrick Henry College
Purcellville, VA · Private nonprofitExcellent: Compass grade A-
- 88% of freshmen return
- 74% graduate
- 9
- 10
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA · PublicGood: Compass grade B
- 85% of freshmen return
- 63% graduate
- 11
University of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, VA · PublicVery good: Compass grade B+
- 84% of freshmen return
- 66% graduate
- 12
Randolph-Macon College
Ashland, VA · Private nonprofitTop 20% for graduation
- 84% of freshmen return
- 70% graduate
- 13
Hampden-Sydney College
Hampden-Sydney, VA · Private nonprofitTop 17% for earnings
- 84% of freshmen return
- 62% graduate
- 14
Shenandoah University
Winchester, VA · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B
- 82% of freshmen return
- 67% graduate
- 15
Christopher Newport University
Newport News, VA · PublicTop 18% for graduation
- 81% of freshmen return
- 72% graduate
- 16
Virginia Military Institute
Lexington, VA · PublicTop 9% for earnings
- 81% of freshmen return
- 76% graduate
- 17
Eastern Mennonite University
Harrisonburg, VA · Private nonprofitTop 25% for graduation
- 76% of freshmen return
- 67% graduate
- 18
Roanoke College
Salem, VA · Private nonprofitTop 25% for graduation
- 76% of freshmen return
- 67% graduate
- 19
- 20
Sweet Briar College
Sweet Briar, VA · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B
- 69% of freshmen return
- 52% graduate
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chamberlain University-Virginia | $33,199 | $20,919 | $92,405 | 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% |
| James Madison University | $23,322 | $20,093 | $69,954 | 80% |
| University of Richmond | $31,309 | $21,000 | $76,178 | 85% |
| Patrick Henry College | — | — | — | 74% |
| George Mason University | $17,915 | $19,500 | $76,343 | 68% |
| Virginia Commonwealth University | $23,433 | $21,500 | $58,128 | 63% |
| University of Mary Washington | $20,667 | $20,500 | $60,613 | 66% |
| Randolph-Macon College | $27,866 | $27,000 | $58,448 | 70% |
| Hampden-Sydney College | $22,400 | $26,000 | $67,640 | 62% |
| Shenandoah University | $30,298 | $25,000 | $58,433 | 67% |
| Christopher Newport University | $23,015 | $25,000 | $60,509 | 72% |
| Virginia Military Institute | $17,113 | $22,996 | $77,369 | 76% |
| Eastern Mennonite University | $24,588 | $24,813 | $54,869 | 67% |
| Roanoke College | $24,503 | $27,000 | $58,047 | 67% |
| Hollins University | $20,896 | $27,000 | $40,075 | 65% |
| Sweet Briar College | $17,758 | $27,000 | $51,943 | 52% |
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 5
- Arizona 4
- Arkansas 5
- California 63
- Colorado 7
- Connecticut 14
- District of Columbia 5
- Florida 21
- Georgia 9
- Idaho 3
- Illinois 21
- Indiana 21
- Iowa 15
- Kansas 4
- Kentucky 7
- Louisiana 3
- Maine 8
- Maryland 16
- Massachusetts 46
- Michigan 21
- Minnesota 19
- Missouri 18
- Nebraska 8
- New Hampshire 5
- New Jersey 17
- New York 80
- North Carolina 17
- Ohio 31
- Oklahoma 4
- Oregon 11
- Pennsylvania 62
- Rhode Island 9
- South Carolina 10
- Tennessee 10
- Texas 20
- Utah 4
- Vermont 6
- Washington 13
- Wisconsin 15