The University of Virginia has climbed to No. 4 among public universities in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Best Colleges rankings, advancing one position from last year. The university maintained its No. 24 overall ranking, tying with Emory and Georgetown universities.
UVA’s commitment to accessibility and student success stands out in several key metrics. The school ranks third for best value among public institutions and leads all public universities in six-year graduation rates, including for Pell Grant recipients from lower- to moderate-income households. The University also improved its standing as a veteran-friendly institution, rising to No. 8 nationally.
“Our mission is to welcome talented students from all walks of life and help them do and be their best,” says Stephen Farmer, UVA’s vice provost for enrollment. “Our reputation reflects the great work that goes on in our community every day.”
Additional accolades reinforce UVA’s excellence: The Princeton Review ranked it No. 1 for financial aid, Forbes named it among the “New Ivies,” and the Wall Street Journal highlighted strong graduate outcomes in finance (No. 3), consulting (No. 5), and technology (No. 13) among public universities.
U.S. News evaluated over 400 universities using 17 factors, including graduation rates and peer assessment, for this year’s rankings. Virginia.edu
This article originally appeared in the April 2025 issue.
