Founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1819, the University of Virginia (UVA) is one of the most storied and sought-after public institutions of higher learning in the country. In the latest admissions cycle for the class of 2028, UVA received a record-breaking 58,995 combined applications from the Early Decision, Early Action, and Regular Decision groupings. In total, the university offered 9,665 offers of admission, for an overall UVA acceptance rate of 16.3%, placing it among the most competitive public research institutions in the nation.
UVA’s Admission Insights for 2024
For Fall 2024, the detailed admission statistics released by UVA’s Admissions Office show growing interest among applicants and increasing competitiveness for entry. UVA received its largest number of applications in recent history—58,995—and maintained a comparatively low acceptance rate for public universities.
A Closer Look at UVA’s Acceptance Figures
Total Applicants: 58,995
Admitted Students: 9,665
Acceptance Rate: 16.3%
UVA saw a record number of applications for the Class of 2028, receiving 4.5% more applications when compared to the Class of 2027, itself a record-breaking year. With three admissions processes, including Early Decision, Early Action, and Regular Decision, candidates should pay close attention to the option that best meets their academic goals and their qualifications.
Empowerly’s Role in Your UVA Admission Journey
UVA’s Acceptance Trends and Detailed Insights
Admission at UVA has maintained its competitiveness in recent years. This is largely due to the growing number of applications UVA has been receiving within all three of its admission windows. Looking at just Regular Decision admissions, for example, we see that the Class of 2025 had an acceptance rate of 16.65, while that for the Class of 2027 had declined to 13.4%. The class of 2028 is back up to a 16.3% acceptance rate.
State vs. Out-of-State Acceptance Dynamics
As it is a state school, in-state students do enjoy a competitive advantage over out-of-state applicants to UVA. For the Class of 2028, the UVA acceptance rate for Virginia residents was 25.5%. Out-of-state students saw an acceptance rate of only 13%.
Academic Profiles and Admissions Policies
U.S. News & World Report ranks UVA at #5 on its list of top public universities. The caliber of its incoming students reflects this exceptional ranking, with the average ACT range of incoming Freshmen at 32-34 and the average SAT at 1400-1540.
Admissions Trends & Noteworthy Statistics
UVA has enjoyed an increase in applications over the past few years, including a significant 10% jump in applications between the Class of 2026 and the Class of 2027, and a still strong increase of 4.5% for the Class of 2028. The university’s reputation as a top public institution, proximity to the favorable Washington, D.C.-area job market, and reasonable in-state tuition costs make UVA an attractive option for students.
Geographic and Demographic Breakdown
Based on statistics from the fall of 2022, the majority (68%) of UVA students are Virginia residents and identify as White or Asian. The 2024 admissions cycle is the first one since the Supreme Court ruled race-based admissions criteria to be unconstitutional. UVA has not yet released statistics on the race or ethnicity of accepted students for the Class of 2028.
UVA’s National and International Appeal
While a majority of UVA’s student body hails from Virginia, 32% of the campus comes to UVA from other states or countries. In general, 5% of each entering class at UVA is composed of international students. Mirroring the nationwide trend, there are more women students (56%) at UVA than men (44%).
Strategizing for UVA Admissions
Empowerly recognizes the complexities and competitive nature of gaining admission to UVA. Our tailored guidance and strategic planning can demystify the process, enhancing your application’s strength and aligning your achievements with this top public research university’s admissions criteria.
Exploring UVA’s Prestigious Legacy and Rigorous Admissions
It doesn’t get more prestigious than having Thomas Jefferson as your founder. But in case you want more, how about having part of your campus recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site? UVA became the foundation of higher learning in the state of Virginia in the early 1800s and has maintained that position up until today. A total of 17,600+ undergraduate students are currently enrolled at UVA, which also offers an array of graduate programs as well. In fact, its prestigious schools of law and medicine have existed since UVA’s founding in 1819.
Navigating the Application Journey at UVA
Competition for a spot at UVA is growing. The university emphasizes its holistic approach to reviewing applications and notes that nowhere on the application is there an option to select race or family affiliation with UVA, which UVA holds up as an example of its commitment to attracting a diverse student body from within the state as well as outside of it. With three admission windows for first-year students – Early Decision, Early Action, and Regular Decision – applicants must navigate their options carefully.
Decoding UVA’s Admissions Criteria for Prospective Students
UVA makes a point of stating that it does not use a formula, equation, or algorithm during its application review. Their holistic process means they consider many factors and highlights their value of making reviews that are comprehensive, thoughtful, and personal. They also seek a balance between in-state and out-of-state admissions, which tend to end up around 70/30 for each application year. UVA’s 60 application readers are looking to enroll students who will match their institutional mission and values, as well as bring with them a diverse set of opinions, life experiences, beliefs, and backgrounds.
