collageMany top colleges and universities are located throughout Virginia, including in cities such as Norfolk, Fredericksburg, Virginia Beach, Charlottesville, Lynchburg and the state capital of Richmond. Higher education options include small liberal arts colleges, midsize colleges and large research universities. Several colleges and universities in Virginia have national historical significance. The College of William and Mary in Williamsburg is one of the oldest colleges still in operation in the U.S.; the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington is the oldest state-supported military college in the U.S.; and the University of Virginia in Charlottesville was founded by Thomas Jefferson as the first nonsectarian university.
University of Virginia
University of Virginia is a public institution that was founded in 1819. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 17,011, its setting is suburban, and the campus size is 1,682 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. University of Virginia’s ranking in the 2021 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, #26. Its in-state tuition and fees are $18,878; out-of-state tuition and fees are $52,957.
founded by Thomas Jefferson, the University of Virginia is located in Charlottesville. It’s referred to among insiders as Mr. Jefferson’s University or simply The University. Only first-year students are required to live on campus, and many upperclassmen live in off-campus apartments or fraternity and sorority houses. Greek life is prominent at UVA with a membership that includes approximately 35 percent of the student body. The Cavaliers, known unofficially as Wahoos or ‘Hoos, are members of the NCAA Division I Atlantic Coast Conference and are well known for their consistently dominant men’s and women’s lacrosse teams.
UVA’s graduate programs include the highly ranked Darden Graduate School of Business, Curry School of Education, School of Engineering and Applied Science, School of Law and School of Medicine. UVA houses one of the 25 remaining original copies of the Declaration of Independence, called a Dunlap Broadside, in its Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library. The school also has its own distinct lingo: The campus is referred to as the “grounds,” the central quad is the “lawn,” and students are either a first, second, third or fourth year. Former U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy, journalist Katie Couric and former NFL player Tiki Barber all earned degrees from UVA. Famous writer Edgar Allen Poe was forced to leave the school after losing his tuition money to gambling, but his dorm room on the lawn is still preserved and on display for visitors.
George Mason University
George Mason University is a public institution that was founded in 1972. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 26,662, its setting is suburban, and the campus size is 817 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. George Mason University’s ranking in the 2021 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, #143. Its in-state tuition and fees are $13,014; out-of-state tuition and fees are $36,474.
Admissions officials at George Mason University consider a student’s GPA a very important academic factor. An applicant’s high school class rank and letters of recommendation, when available, are considered by admissions officials at George Mason University. To see additional academic factors along with other school data, learn more about College Compass.
Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Commonwealth University is a public institution that was founded in 1838. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 22,837, its setting is urban, and the campus size is 169 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Virginia Commonwealth University’s ranking in the 2021 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, #160. Its in-state tuition and fees are $14,710; out-of-state tuition and fees are $35,358.
Virginia Commonwealth University is located in Richmond. Cheering on the school’s Division I sports teams, the VCU Rams, is a popular outlet for students. There are hundreds of clubs and organizations students can join, as well as about 40 fraternities and sororities. About 7 percent of VCU students are involved in Greek life. For off-campus recreation, students can take advantage of the school’s Outdoor Adventure Program, which coordinates kayaking, backpacking and whitewater rafting trips, among other activities. VCU has a variety of academic departments for graduate students, too, including its well-regarded School of the Arts, School of Education, School of Medicine and School of Social Work. The university also has a campus in Qatar that focuses on arts programs.
Hampden-Sydney College
Hampden-Sydney College is a private institution that was founded in 1775. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 993, its setting is rural, and the campus size is 1,343 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Hampden-Sydney College’s ranking in the 2021 edition of Best Colleges is National Liberal Arts Colleges, #102. Its tuition and fees are $48,110.
Randolph-Macon College
Randolph-Macon College is a private institution that was founded in 1830. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 1,543, its setting is suburban, and the campus size is 125 acres. It utilizes a 4-1-4-based academic calendar. Randolph-Macon College’s ranking in the 2021 edition of Best Colleges is National Liberal Arts Colleges, #102. Its tuition and fees are $43,940.
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