The University of Virginia, founded in 1819 by Thomas Jefferson, is a public research university in Charlottesville, Virginia. It is known for its historic Grounds, strong academics, and a mission that emphasizes a collaborative, diverse community. UVA enrolls students from around the world, with about 3,000 international students from 109 countries. The institution also offers career support through advising, internship resources, and connections to alumni, employers, jobs, and internships.
Understanding the acceptance rate is important for prospective UVA applicants. It helps international applicants understand how competitive admission is and make informed choices before applying, ensuring they find the right fit for their educational goals. Start your journey to get into UVA today!
University of Virginia Acceptance Rate
The University of Virginia’s approximate 13% acceptance rate may seem intimidating because it reflects a highly competitive admissions process. According to UVA, 82,118 people applied for the Class of 2030, and the university made 10,287 first-year admission offers. This equals about 12.5%, or 13% when rounded.
UVA’s low acceptance rate shows how competitive the applicant pool has become. The university says its review is holistic and does not use GPA or testing cutoffs or targets. UVA also seeks to maintain roughly a two-thirds majority of Virginia students in its student population.
Instead of assuming that one rate applies to every part of UVA, applicants should review the expectations for the undergraduate school or program that interests them. UVA states that first-year applicants to the College of Arts & Sciences and the Schools of Architecture, Education (Kinesiology), Engineering, and Nursing are reviewed by separate admission teams. This means your preparation should match the school or program you choose.
Preparing for the University of Virginia
UVA is a highly selective university with an acceptance rate of about 13%. Still, a strong application strategy can help you prepare for the university’s admission requirements, tuition costs, and scholarship options.
Admission Requirements
Understanding the University of Virginia’s admission requirements is vital for prospective students. It allows applicants to assess their qualifications, address gaps, and submit a strong application that meets UVA’s expectations. UVA requires a secondary school report and one teacher evaluation from an academic subject teacher for each first-year application. International applicants whose first language is not English are strongly encouraged to submit an English language assessment, such as TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency, Duolingo English Test, InitialView, or Vericant.
Tuition Fees
Applicants should review current UVA tuition and living costs to plan financially. UVA’s costs vary by residency, school, and year of study. For 2026-2027, first- and second-year Arts & Sciences tuition is $16,843 for Virginia students and $57,432 for non-Virginia students before fees and living expenses. Use UVA’s cost estimator or the linked Global Scholarships tuition page to compare expected costs.
Scholarships
At UVA, scholarships and financial aid depend heavily on citizenship and eligibility. UVA states that it is a need-based financial aid institution and that limited merit scholarships are available. However, foreign-national international students generally do not have UVA scholarship or loan funds available, unless they attend a United World College school and qualify for need-based scholarship support. International applicants should plan carefully and also research outside scholarships.
Scholarships are still a useful way to pay for your studies when you are eligible for them, since they can provide financial support and recognition for academic achievement, leadership, talent, or financial need.
Although the University of Virginia‘s acceptance rate is lower than many other universities’ rates, do not let that discourage you from pursuing your goal of studying at this prestigious institution. Preparing carefully is essential when applying to such a competitive university. We wish you good luck!
We hope this article on the University of Virginia’s acceptance rate was helpful. Make sure to also check out the Guide to Studying in the USA and the Available Courses for International Students for more study tips and open courses in the United States!
