2022 Virginia Best Colleges Tuition Comparison

This page compares the best colleges in Virginia with tuition, admission, and more academic facts (Ranking data from College Evaluator). For the academic year 2021-2022, Washington and Lee University rank first in the best Virginia college ranking and University of Virginia-Main Campus is placed in second.

Admission Comparison Between Best Colleges in Virginia

8 public and 2 private schools rank in the best Virginia colleges. The schools' average acceptance rate is 57.50% where University of Virginia-Main Campus has the tightest (lowest) acceptance rate of 23% and George Mason University has the highest rate of 89%. Total 146,436 students are attending one of the best Virginia schools where George Mason University has the largest population with 38,541 students and Virginia Military Institute has the smallest number of students (1,698 students). The average graduation rate is 82.30% and the average students to faculty ratio is 12.40:1 at those colleges.
The following table shows the academic information and key facts of the best Virginia colleges including acceptance rate, graduation rate, student population, and students to faculty ratio.
Table. Virginia Best Colleges Overview
RankName Acceptance RateSAT ScoreGraduation RatePopulationStudent-Faculty Ratio
1Washington and Lee University
Lexington, VA
25%1,42593%2,1838:1 (12.50 %)
2University of Virginia-Main Campus
Charlottesville, VA
23%1,41594%25,62815:1 (6.67 %)
3University of Richmond
University of Richmond, VA
31%1,37088%4,0568:1 (12.50 %)
4William & Mary
Williamsburg, VA
42%1,39591%8,93911:1 (9.09 %)
5Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg, VA
66%1,27086%37,02414:1 (7.14 %)
6Virginia Military Institute
Lexington, VA
60%1,16585%1,69810:1 (10.00 %)
7James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA
80%1,20082%21,59416:1 (6.25 %)
8Christopher Newport University
Newport News, VA
76%1,19580%4,86814:1 (7.14 %)
9The University of Virginia's College at Wise
Wise, VA
83%1,07552%1,90511:1 (9.09 %)
10George Mason University
Fairfax, VA
89%1,20072%38,54117:1 (5.88 %)
Average57.50%1,27182.30%146,436 (Total)12.40:1 (8.06 %)

Best Virginia Colleges 2022 Tuition Comparison and 2023 Estimated Costs

The following table lists 2021-2022 tuition & fees and compares them between the best Virginia colleges. The 2021-2022 costs are officially published by IPEDS, U.S. Department of Education. The estimated costs for the academic year 2022-2023 are calculated and estimated based on each school's rate of tuition change from 2021 to 2022.

For the undergraduate programs, the average tuition & fees of the best Virginia colleges is $42,540 where Washington and Lee University has the most expensive costs at $59,380 and Christopher Newport University has the lowest amount of tuition at $27,790. The average graduate tuition & fees of the best Virginia colleges is $32,765 where Washington and Lee University has the highest tuition with $47,437 and Christopher Newport University has the lowest amount of graduate school tuition with $21,420.
UndergraduateGraduate
Table. Best Virginia Colleges 2022 Undergraduate Tuition Comparison and 2023 Estimation
RankSchool Name 2022 Tuition & Fees2023 Estimated Tuition & Fees
In-StateOut-of-StateIn-StateOut-of-State
1Washington and Lee University $59,380$61,552
2University of Virginia-Main Campus $19,244$53,626 $19,532 $54,421
3University of Richmond $58,570$60,331
4William & Mary $23,812$47,038 $23,997 $47,223
5Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University $14,174$33,857 $14,612 $34,849
6Virginia Military Institute $19,670$48,324 $20,141 $49,454
7James Madison University $12,638$29,564 $12,954 $29,902
8Christopher Newport University $14,924$27,790 $14,924 $27,790
9The University of Virginia's College at Wise $11,162$30,672 $11,498 $31,572
10George Mason University $13,119$36,579 $13,225 $35,766
Average$16,093$42,540$16,360$43,286
Table. Best Virginia Colleges 2022 Graduate School Tuition Comparison and 2023 Estimation
RankSchool Name 2022 Tuition & Fees2023 Estimated Tuition & Fees
In-StateOut-of-StateIn-StateOut-of-State
1Washington and Lee University $47,437-
2University of Virginia-Main Campus $20,906$33,520 $20,906$21,654
3University of Richmond $25,620$25,985
4William & Mary $16,618$34,978 $16,618$16,798
5Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University $16,522$31,443 $16,522$17,029
6Virginia Military Institute -- --
7James Madison University $12,514$29,746 $12,514$13,076
8Christopher Newport University $12,006$21,420 $12,006$12,006
9The University of Virginia's College at Wise -- --
10George Mason University $16,644$37,956 $16,644$17,209
Average$15,868$32,765$16,295$31,559