College Compass GuideTrue north for every college search.

Every accredited U.S. college

Colleges

Every accredited four-year college, rated on Academic Excellence and Value (what families pay after aid, what graduates earn, and student debt), all from federal data.

Filters

Search & sort
Compass Score sorts by outcomes, students and cost together. The other sorts order every college by a different measure.
Ratings
Compass ScoreCompass Score: a letter grade set by rank among rated colleges from federal data: outcomes (40%), entering students (40%), cost (15%) and teaching (5%). Choose the lowest grade to show.
ValueValue: what families pay after aid, graduation rate, earnings and debt, from federal data.
Academic ExcellenceAcademic Excellence: a letter grade set by rank among rated colleges, from federal data on graduation, retention, test scores, faculty ratio, and spending. It never uses rankings or surveys.
Only Compass Recommended colleges: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score.
Only Honor Roll colleges: the top 10% of rated colleges by Compass Score.
Only the eight Ivy League universities.
Location1
Distance (miles)
A broad region of the country, as the guide groups the states. Territories are listed separately.
School
Type of college, as college guides group them (from the federal Carnegie Classification): national universities offer a full range of bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs and do research; liberal arts colleges focus on undergraduates in the arts and sciences; regional universities mostly offer bachelor’s and master’s degrees; regional colleges mostly offer bachelor’s degrees in many fields; specialized schools focus on one field, such as health, art or business.
Public or privatePublic: run by a state or local government. Private: nonprofit or for-profit.
Total enrollment: small is under 2,000 students, medium 2,000 to 9,999, large 10,000 to 24,999, and very large 25,000 or more.
Net price: what a typical student pays per year after grants and scholarships, from the federal College Scorecard.
Coed: men and women together. Single-sex: all-male or all-female.
Campus life
College sports level from federal data: NCAA Division I (the biggest programs), Division II, Division III, or NAIA.
Where the campus is, from federal data: in a city, a suburb, a town, or a rural area.
The college offers Army, Navy or Air Force ROTC, on campus or with a nearby college (federal data).
The college offers study abroad (federal data).
Admissions and outcomes
How many applicants are admitted (federal data). Most: 65% or more. Selective: 25% to 64%. Highly selective: under 25%.
Your SAT or ACT, to sort colleges Target, Likely and Reach. Signed in, it is kept on your account (private to you); otherwise only in this browser.
Reach, Target or LikelyA rough guide from admitted students' scores and admission rates, not a prediction. Target: your score is in the college's middle range. Likely: above it, or the college admits most applicants. Reach: below it, or the college admits fewer than 1 in 5.
Small classes: 12 or fewer students per faculty member (federal data).
Strong outcomes: 75% or more of students graduate (federal data).
Major
Colleges that offer a bachelor's degree in this major or field, from the federal College Scorecard.
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RecommendedOnly Compass Recommended colleges: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score.Honor RollOnly Honor Roll colleges: the top 10% of rated colleges by Compass Score.ValueOnly colleges with a Value score of 85 or higher (grade A), from federal data.AcademicsOnly schools with an Academic Excellence grade of A or better (the top 10% of rated colleges), from federal data.Ivy LeagueOnly the eight Ivy League universities.Clear
Division I sportsCollege sports level from federal data: NCAA Division I (the biggest programs), Division II, Division III, or NAIA.ROTCThe college offers Army, Navy or Air Force ROTC, on campus or with a nearby college (federal data).Study abroadThe college offers study abroad (federal data).NursingColleges that offer a bachelor's degree in this major or field, from the federal College Scorecard.EngineeringColleges that offer a bachelor's degree in this major or field, from the federal College Scorecard.Under $20kNet price under $20,000 a year: what a typical student pays after grants and scholarships (federal data).Small classesSmall classes: 12 or fewer students per faculty member (federal data).
State: VirginiaClear all

61 schools · Sorted by Compass Score

  • Compass ScoreExceptional · Top 2%

    Washington and Lee University

    #1 in Virginia
    Lexington, VA · Private nonprofit · 4-year · 2,277 students

    $23,781 a year after aid, on average

    Honor RollCollege Compass Guide Honor Roll: the top 10% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ and A), from academics and value.ValueStrongAcademicsExcellent
  • Compass ScoreExceptional · Top 4%

    University of Virginia

    Top 2% for graduation
    Charlottesville, VA · Public · 4-year · 25,924 students

    $21,565 a year after aid, on average

    Honor RollCollege Compass Guide Honor Roll: the top 10% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ and A), from academics and value.ValueExcellentAcademicsExcellent
  • Compass ScoreExceptional · Top 4%

    Riverside College of Health Careers

    Top 1% for graduation
    Newport News, VA · Private nonprofit · 4-year · 325 students

    $20,744 a year after aid, on average

    RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.ValueExcellentAcademicsExcellent
  • Compass ScoreExceptional · Top 5%

    University of Richmond

    Exceptional: Compass grade A
    University of Richmond, VA · Private nonprofit · 4-year · 3,776 students

    $31,309 a year after aid, on average

    Honor RollCollege Compass Guide Honor Roll: the top 10% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ and A), from academics and value.ValueStrongAcademicsExcellent
  • Compass ScoreExceptional · Top 5%

    William & Mary

    Exceptional: Compass grade A
    Williamsburg, VA · Public · 4-year · 9,762 students

    $19,096 a year after aid, on average

    Honor RollCollege Compass Guide Honor Roll: the top 10% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ and A), from academics and value.ValueExcellentAcademicsExcellent
  • Compass ScoreExceptional · Top 8%

    Washington University of Science and Technology

    Exceptional: Compass grade A
    Alexandria, VA · Private for-profit · 4-year · 1,105 students

    Honor RollCollege Compass Guide Honor Roll: the top 10% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ and A), from academics and value.Value not rated yetAcademicsStrong
  • Compass ScoreExceptional · Top 8%

    Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

    Top 6% for graduation
    Blacksburg, VA · Public · 4-year · 38,294 students

    $24,953 a year after aid, on average

    Honor RollCollege Compass Guide Honor Roll: the top 10% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ and A), from academics and value.ValueStrongAcademicsExcellent
  • Compass ScoreExceptional · Top 10%

    Chamberlain University-Virginia

    Top 1% for graduation
    Vienna, VA · Private for-profit · 4-year · 567 students

    $33,199 a year after aid, on average

    RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.ValueStrongAcademicsExcellent
  • Compass ScoreExcellent · Top 11%

    Centra College

    Top 1% for graduation
    Lynchburg, VA · Private nonprofit · 4-year · 212 students

    RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.Value not rated yetAcademicsExcellent
  • Compass ScoreExcellent · Top 13%

    James Madison University

    Top 11% for graduation
    Harrisonburg, VA · Public · 4-year · 22,758 students

    $23,322 a year after aid, on average

    RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.ValueStrongAcademicsExcellent
  • Compass ScoreExcellent · Top 13%

    Patrick Henry College

    Excellent: Compass grade A-
    Purcellville, VA · Private nonprofit · 4-year · 408 students

    RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.Value not rated yetAcademicsExcellent
  • Compass ScoreExcellent · Top 15%

    Virginia Military Institute

    Top 9% for earnings
    Lexington, VA · Public · 4-year · 1,560 students

    $17,113 a year after aid, on average

    RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.ValueExcellentAcademicsExcellent
  • Compass ScoreExcellent · Top 18%

    Hampden-Sydney College

    Top 17% for earnings
    Hampden-Sydney, VA · Private nonprofit · 4-year · 876 students

    $22,400 a year after aid, on average

    RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.All-maleAll-male: the school enrolls men only.ValueStrongAcademicsExcellent
  • Compass ScoreExcellent · Top 19%

    George Mason University

    Top 10% for earnings
    Fairfax, VA · Public · 4-year · 39,527 students

    $17,915 a year after aid, on average

    RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.ValueExcellentAcademicsExcellent
  • Compass ScoreVery good · Top 22%

    University of Mary Washington

    Very good: Compass grade B+
    Fredericksburg, VA · Public · 4-year · 3,808 students

    $20,667 a year after aid, on average

    RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.ValueStrongAcademicsExcellent
  • Compass ScoreVery good · Top 28%

    Christopher Newport University

    Top 18% for graduation
    Newport News, VA · Public · 4-year · 4,503 students

    $23,015 a year after aid, on average

    RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.ValueStrongAcademicsExcellent
  • Compass ScoreVery good · Top 32%

    Hollins University

    #17 in Virginia
    Roanoke, VA · Private nonprofit · 4-year · 782 students

    $20,896 a year after aid, on average

    RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.All-femaleAll-female: the school enrolls women only.ValueFairAcademicsExcellent
  • Compass ScoreVery good · Top 33%

    Roanoke College

    Top 25% for graduation
    Salem, VA · Private nonprofit · 4-year · 1,835 students

    $24,503 a year after aid, on average

    RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.ValueStrongAcademicsStrong
  • Compass ScoreVery good · Top 33%

    Regent University

    Very good: Compass grade B+
    Virginia Beach, VA · Private nonprofit · 4-year · 10,168 students

    $19,923 a year after aid, on average

    RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.ValueStrongAcademicsStrong
  • Compass ScoreVery good · Top 35%

    Randolph-Macon College

    Top 20% for graduation
    Ashland, VA · Private nonprofit · 4-year · 1,523 students

    $27,866 a year after aid, on average

    RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.ValueFairAcademicsExcellent
  • Compass ScoreVery good · Top 35%

    University of Virginia's College at Wise

    Top 13% for low net price
    Wise, VA · Public · 4-year · 1,911 students

    $9,210 a year after aid, on average

    RecommendedCompass Recommended: the top 35% of rated colleges by Compass Score (grades A+ to B+), from academics and value.ValueExcellentAcademicsStrong
  • Compass ScoreGood · Top 36%

    Virginia Commonwealth University

    Good: Compass grade B
    Richmond, VA · Public · 4-year · 28,238 students

    $23,433 a year after aid, on average

    ValueStrongAcademicsStrong
  • Compass ScoreGood · Top 37%

    Shenandoah University

    Good: Compass grade B
    Winchester, VA · Private nonprofit · 4-year · 4,343 students

    $30,298 a year after aid, on average

    ValueFairAcademicsExcellent
  • Compass ScoreGood · Top 37%

    University of Lynchburg

    Good: Compass grade B
    Lynchburg, VA · Private nonprofit · 4-year · 2,592 students

    $22,235 a year after aid, on average

    ValueStrongAcademicsStrong
  • Compass ScoreGood · Top 39%

    Eastern Mennonite University

    Top 25% for graduation
    Harrisonburg, VA · Private nonprofit · 4-year · 1,292 students

    $24,588 a year after aid, on average

    ValueStrongAcademicsExcellent

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