A University of Virginia degree is one of the best values in higher education and the beginning of life-changing possibilities for students. UVA is consistently ranked among the top public universities in the nation, providing an excellent education and a vibrant experience for students. As the only educational institution designated a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the University and its Grounds offer opportunities that truly could only happen here.
We also believe that financial need should never stand in the way of attending UVA. The University has committed to meeting 100% of demonstrated need for every admitted student.
Students at the University have the close support and mentorship of the highest-caliber faculty and staff, who are dedicated to each student’s well-being and success. UVA students recognize the value in others and collaborate to achieve more than they could on their own. Our culture of student self-governance instills confidence, responsibility, initiative and service – traits that translate well to personal satisfaction and career goals. Incoming students join a vibrant community with more than 1,100 student organizations. This is the place for motivated scholars to be curious and expand their capacity to help others, while pursuing applicable, real-world knowledge.
Once students earn their degrees from UVA, which has the highest graduation rate among public universities in the country, they become part of a worldwide network of engaged, successful alumni, more than a quarter million strong.
When UVA grads look back on their time on Grounds as among the best of their lives, they can look forward to greater opportunities and a lifelong connection to this iconic institution. Go, Hoos!
#1
Best Public College for Financial Aid, Princeton Review, 2024
#1
Best Graduation Rate in the Nation among Public Universities, U.S. News & World Report, 2025
#3
Best Value Public University, U.S. News & World Report, 2025
#4
Public University in the Nation, U.S. News & World Report, 2025
$83K
Average Early Career Salary
Students at UVA participate in a variety of forms of self-governance — from the Honor Committee, to the Judiciary Committee, to Student Council and beyond.
At UVA, faculty members engage with students beyond the classroom, offering frequent and time-honored opportunities for collaboration, discussion and exchange.
UVA was founded as a public university, open to all who have the talent and ability to move society forward. For that reason, we are committed to meeting 100% of the demonstrated need for every admitted undergraduate student. UVA is one of only two public universities in the nation to offer both a need-blind admission process and a commitment to cover 100% of a student’s demonstrated financial need — a commitment that goes back to UVA’s original, animating purpose: to serve.
Chris Lane: We brought everything out to the garage to load the car. We looked and said, there’s zero chance this is going in that SUV.
Katey Grace Buckland: We brought way too much stuff.
Lauren McElfresh: It’s not that much stuff.
Chris McElfresh: It’s a lot of stuff.
Parent 1: It’s a perfect day to move in.
Michaela Hennigh: It’s a good vibe, a chaotic vibe, but it’s positive.
Annie Oxman: It’s a bittersweet day.
Britta: She’s our first going to college, so that’s big. So we have to adjust to how everything’s going to be in the house, but yeah.
Cassidy: It’ll be okay.
Parent 2: I’m sure there are going to be tears, some tears of sadness and some tears of joy, too.
H.A. Nguyen: It’s like coming home, especially since, you know, I went here for eight years. So this is really home, home for me.
Parent 3: We’re just depositing our hearts here in Charlottesville for a little while.
Parent 4: We’ve really raised a tremendous young man and just super proud.
Parent 5: Just excited for her.
Parent 6: The trip home will be, will be, will be, will be difficult.
Bonnie Quansah: It’s a good day.
Iain Ramirez: Everyone I had ever talked to that went here, they all said amazing things about UVA, and they all said how much they loved it.
Gianna Hunsche: I wanted to go here so badly. So when I got in, it was like, the most exciting thing that’s ever happened.
H.A. Nguyen: You’re gonna make awesome friends. This is an opportunity for you to learn purely for learning, for knowledge’s sake.
Parent 7: I’m jealous that he’s getting to go. I wish I could come back to school.
Katey Grace Buckland: I’m looking forward to feeling the community of UVA, going to games, being packed in a stadium with everybody.
Fiona Bailey: Go to the Corner, go to the library.
Kamar Wilson: I don’t want to be in my room.
Leah Russo: I’m looking forward to a different school. Like, that’s different from high school because I’m definitely sick of high school.
James Plummer: I’m pumped to meet all the people.
Melody Nguyen: I’m kind of scared to leave my childhood home. But it’s part of growing up, and it’s something we all have to do.
Kamar Wilson: Definitely calling a lot the first couple of days.
Parent 8: I told him in the beginning, I might just text every 15 minutes and then I’ll maybe cut it back to once a day.
Student 1: I’m going to miss my parents and my dog, Brownie.
Virginia Plummer: I was doing fine today until I saw him saying goodbye to the dogs.
James Plummer: Oh gosh.
Nicole Lane: My cat. I’m gonna miss him a lot. Like I saw him this morning, and I was like, no!
Parent 2: I’m glad UVA gets to have him for four years.
Annie Oxman: I just think this is going to be a great home for him.
Parent 3: He’s worked really hard to be here, and he belongs here.
H.A. Nguyen: It’s very nice to have that feeling that she’s going to be in good hands. Right. UVA and staff will take care of our daughter. Right, our most precious cargo.
Parent 5: She’s been wanting to go here since she was a kid, so it’s, her dreams are coming true. So we’re really excited for her. And we can be here in two seconds. [snap] Yep. If you need us.
Student 1: Oop! It’s there.
Mother of Student 1: Are you sure?
Student 1: View update. Wait, wait, wait.
Student 2: My heart is pounding out of my chest. So –
Student 3: It won’t open it.
Student 4: Whatever happens, happens.
[Student-athletes on bus wait for decision to load]
Friend of Student: She got in!
[Team reacts with raucous cheering]
Student 5: Whoa!
Student 6: Yeah! Let’s go!
Student 5: Let’s go!
Student 7: Ah! I got in!
[Student 7 and family scream]
Student 8: Let’s go. I got in.
[Student 3 and family clap and cheer ‘Yay!]
Student 8: Yes! Oh my God. I got in.
[Student 4 and friends shriek with abandon]
[Student 1 inhales deeply. Family erupts in cheers]
[Student 9 and family burst into happy yelling]
[Student 10 and family clap and roar]
Student 11: I got in!
[Student 11 and friend jump and howl]
[Student 12 and family leap with joy, father yells ‘Yay!’]
[Student 13 and mother go wild with glee]
[Student 10 and family clap and cheer more]
[Student 9 and parent jump for joy, yelling]
[Student 13 and family jump and scream]
[Student 14 breaks into tears as family loudly celebrates her]
Mother of Student 15: We’re so proud of you.
Mother of Student 16: Congratulations, hija.
Father of Student 16: Congratulations, baby.
Student 16: Class of 2029!
