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Summary
University of Virginia is a public institution that was founded in 1819. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 15,595, 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 2012 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 25. Its in-state tuition and fees are $11,576 (2011-12); out-of-state tuition and fees are $36,570 (2011-12).
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 30 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 Administration, 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, national news anchor 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.
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The University of Virginia offers the vast intellectual resources of a major research university, but fosters the intimacy, sense of community, and dedication to undergraduate life typically found at a small liberal arts college. While it is public, and welcomes women and men of every background, it also is highly selective and attracts students who seek challenges. Their motivation to achieve is matched by a culture of mutual support, openness, civility, and above all, integrity and trust. With its balance -- between cutting-edge scholarship and first-rate teaching, between rigorous academics and rewarding activities -- U.Va. offers an undergraduate experience with few equals. |
General Information
| School type | public, coed college |
| Year founded | 1819 |
| Religious affiliation | N/A |
| Academic calendar | semester |
| Setting | suburban |
| 2010 Endowment | $3,861,912,569 |
Applying
When applying to University of Virginia, it's important to note the application deadline is January 1, and the early action deadline is November 1. Scores for either the ACT or SAT test are due January 1. The application fee at University of Virginia is $60. It is most selective, with an acceptance rate of 32.6 percent.
For more information about the tests, essays, interviews, and admissions process, visit the Applying to College knowledge center.
| Selectivity | most selective |
| Fall 2010 acceptance rate | 33% |
| Application deadline | January 1 |
| SAT/ACT scores must be received by | January 1 |
Academic Life
The student-faculty ratio at University of Virginia is 16:1, and the school has 51.9 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at University of Virginia include: Economics, General; Business/Commerce, General; History, General; International Relations and Affairs; and Psychology, General. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 96.8 percent.
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| Student-faculty ratio | 16:1 | ||||||||||
| 4-year graduation rate | 85% - High | ||||||||||
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Student Life
University of Virginia has a total undergraduate enrollment of 15,595, with a gender distribution of 44.6 percent male students and 55.4 percent female students. 43.0 percent of the students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing and 57.0 percent of students live off campus. University of Virginia is part of the NCAA I athletic conference.
See what students are saying about life at University of Virginia.
| Total enrollment | 24,391 |
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| Collegiate athletic association | NCAA I |
Campus Info & Services
University of Virginia offers a number of student services including nonremedial tutoring, women's center, placement service, day care, health service, and health insurance. University of Virginia also offers campus safety and security services like 24-hour foot and vehicle patrols, late night transport/escort service, 24-hour emergency telephones, lighted pathways/sidewalks, and controlled dormitory access (key, security card, etc). Alcohol is permitted for students of legal age at University of Virginia.
| Students who have cars on campus | N/A |
| Health insurance offered | Yes |
| Students required to own/lease a computer | No |
More About Campus Info & Services
Paying for School
At University of Virginia, 32.6 percent of full-time undergraduates receive some kind of need-based financial aid and the average need-based scholarship or grant award is $16,349.
Paying for college doesn't have to be difficult or devastating. Go to the Paying for College knowledge center to get advice on raising cash and reducing costs.
| In-state tuition and fees | $11,576 (2011-12) |
| Out-of-state tuition and fees | $36,570 (2011-12) |
| Room and board | $8,866 (2011-12) - Medium |
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* Overview details based on 2010 data
