UVA Acceptance Rate 2026 | Tuition Fees, SAT & ACT Scores, GPA Requirements, Admission Requirements, and How to Apply
If you are planning to apply to the University of Virginia (UVA), understanding the acceptance rate, tuition fees, SAT and ACT scores, and GPA requirements is essential for preparing a competitive application. As one of the top-ranked public universities in the United States, UVA attracts thousands of highly qualified applicants each year, making its admissions process increasingly competitive.
This guide covers everything you need to know about UVA acceptance rate for 2026, including tuition fees, GPA expectations, SAT and ACT score requirements, admission requirements, financial aid, scholarships, transfer and international admissions, and the application process. Whether you are a first-year applicant or a transfer student, you'll find the latest information and practical tips to help you improve your chances of gaining admission to the University of Virginia.
| Section | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile | Average SAT Score |
| SAT Math | 670 | 770 | |
| SAT reading | 660 | 730 | |
| SAT Composite | 1300 | 1500 | 1415 |
The average SAT score is not compulsory by the school but candidates who choose to submit it are more compared to those who did not or only submitted ACT. The average SAT score of students who get admitted to UVA is 1415. But note that those who are scoreless in their SAT score can as well be applied for the same case. But my statistics, 50% of applicants who submit their SAT score with their application gets admitted. The SAT scores assess a student’s ability in reading, writing, and mathematics and are made optional at the University of Virginia. However, applicants are advised to have an average of 1320 and 1510 in their SAT exam on a scale of 1600. There is no specific score you should have to be considered for admission. The average SAT score composite at UVA is 1415 on the 1600 SAT scale. The 25th percentile new SAT score is 1,300 while the 75th percentile SAT score is 1,500. This shows that UVA is very competitive and since the SAT/ACT exam is not compulsory but just recommended, you have no reason to be worried. A score of 1,300 will place you below the average SAT score of 1,500 while a score of 1,415 will place you above the average score. As I have earlier established, UVA does not need you to submit your standardized testing result. But if you feel that you have a good score to present, then you can submit it alongside your applications.
SAT Score Choice Policy
The score choice policy is known as the “Highest Section” policy. Candidates must familiarize themselves with this policy. When you talk of the “ Score Choice Policy”, this simply implies that if at all for any reason you seat for two or more SAT exams and you intend to submit both results/scores, of all the test results you send, only the one with the highest score section will be chosen. This is otherwise known as “The Superscoring Policy”. Let me cite a very good example of what I mean to you. Take for instance you had three test section scores, Say test 1, Test 2, and Test 3.
| Section | SAT Reading + Writing | SAT Math | SAT Composite |
| Test 1 | 700 | 400 | 1100 |
| Test 2 | 500 | 600 | 1100 |
| Test 3 | 400 | 750 | 1150 |
| Superscore | 700 | 750 | 1450 |
Explanation of result: Looking at the table above, it is obvious that the ay with the highest score section was on test 3 (composite score of 1150). This implies that by the SAT score choice policy, UVA will choose the highest score from all three test days. This is a very good way to increase your composite from 1100 to 1450.
Notice how the superscore was Calculated.
Test 1 under the SAT Reading and Writing section had the highest score out of all the three-test days for only SAT Reading + Writing, and hence, it is chosen as the super score. Likewise, notice that Test 3 under the SAT math section had the highest score out of all the three test days for only SAT math, and hence, it is chosen as the superscore of the three days. Now the superscore is a very important testing strategy that allows you to send any test multiple scores days with your application. However, UVA will then assist you to form your superscore, and then pick the section with the highest scores and then form your total composite for you. So if your current SAT score is below the required UVA average of 1,415, then we recommend that you consider retaking the SAT exam till you are sure that you have met the required score. To get the best out of the superscore policy, suppose you noticed that you have the least score in your SAT + Writing on your first test day, but you have a stronger score in math, after sending the total section, you can then retake the exam with the mind of focusing more on only Sat + writing this time around. This is one of the advantages of SAT choice policy.
UVA ACT Requirements
Just like the SAT, UVA does not have a specific cut-off mark to be met for admission. But if you have a score below the required average calculated from those who have previously been admitted into the school, your application will be thrashed.
The average ACT score at UVA is 32. This score makes the University of Virginia very Competitive for ACT scores. And to stand any chance of admission, you are expected to have a score around this average. Even though it is not specified by the school, it is highly recommended.
ACT Requirement to Get into UVA.
| Section | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile | Average ACT Score |
| ACT Math | 27 | 32 | |
| ACT English | 32 | 35 | |
| ACT Composite | 30 | 33 | 33 |
UVA did not set any compulsory ACT scores for their applicants. However, applicants are advised to have a minimum ACT within the range of 30 to 34. This is a good way to increase your admission possibility. From data gathered from past applications and the number of successful students in the school, 51% of those who are admitted have an average score of 29 ACT scores. And 48% of those who are admitted into the school in total submitted only their ACT score. The 25th percentile ACT score is 30 while the 75th percentile ACT score is 34. Having an ACT of 30 will place you below the average score of 33 while having an ACT of will place you right above the required average. As said earlier, there is no compulsory ACT score to get into UVA. But it is recommended for you as an applicant to have at least a 31+ ACT score to boost your chances of admission. Of course, you are not at disadvantage against anyone who submits their standardized testing if you decide not to submit yours, but you are highly recommended to do so.
ACT Score Choice Policy
If you want to use your ACT score instead of SAT for your UVA application, then you have a very good advantage in how you send your scores, and this has a great effect on your testing strategy. Explanation: You have absolute control over your ACT score when you sent the ACT to colleges. You may decide to take 10 different ACTs or more and then submit your highest score by yourself. This is what you do not have the control over when you choose to submit SAT when you submit SAT, many schools will require you to submit all your tests ever taken. This will mean that the chance of improving your ACT score is very high. Since you can take as many tests as you wish before you forward your score to the college admission office with your application. So, if you want to aim for the school average ACT score of 32 and above, you can take about 5 ACTs as many times as you want. Then when you see that you have your desired score that you are sure is worth sending, you can then send that to the school.
ACT Superscore Policy
UVA does not superscore the ACT as most other colleges do. Don’t know what superscoring means? Superscoring simply means that the school will help you to choose the highest section score from all the test dates you submit, they will combine them into the best possible composite score. But most scores will only take your highest ACT score from a single sitting Unfortunately, we were not able to find a concrete information action about UVA ACT superscore policy. This most likely suggests that the school does not superscore their ACT. But whichever the case may be, you can choose your single best ACT score and send it to UVA since you have control over the one you can send. Hence, you should ensure to prep until you have reached the recommended average ACT target of 32.
SAT/ACT Writing Section Requirements
Both the SAT and your ACT have an optional essay section. You will be required to take the SAT Essay/ACT Writing section as this is one of the rankings facto for UVA admission.
SAT Subject Test Requirements
Different universities and colleges have their separate unique subject requirement for their SAT. Typically, any very selective school will require you to submit your SAT score, although most schools in the country do not require it from their applicants. UVA has indicated to the applicants that the SAT subject tests are only recommended. This means that SAT is not required and thus you might not submit them as part of your application documents. Even though submitting the can help you to further showcase a particular strength of yours, if you decide not to, you are not at a disadvantage. For instance, if you are applying to a field in engineering, if you submit a science and math SAT subject tests score, this will surely boost your application and perhaps place give you more edge over other applicants who did not submit any standardized test. From previous admission statistics at UVA, it is typically obvious that your SAT/ACT and GPA are far more heavily weighted than your SAT subject tests. So, if you have to choose between improving your SAT/ACT score and our SAT subject test score, then it is highly recommended that you choose to improve your SAT/ACT score. Need some Frequently Asked Questions? Tuitionexplorer has done some thorough research on this topic and has come up with these questions answered directly from the UVA admission page. In addition to your SAT or ACT and Writing, it is recommended to have two SAT subject tests. Visit here to read more on the Frequently Asked Question and read up the answers directly from the school’s admission page.
Overall Competitive Scale of UVA admission
The above shows how competitive it is to gain admission into the University of Virginia. This scale shows that the school is very selective, and strong academic scores are very essential to improve your chance of admission. If you can score close to or over 1500 on your SAT or 34 on your ACT, then you have a very good probability of gaining admission. But if you apply with a score below the recommended SAT score of 1500 or an ACT score of 34, then you have a low chance of getting admitted. UVA receives quite a lot of applications every year, and most of the applicants apply with very strong academic results, hence, you need to also have very strong academic credentials in other to compete amidst the competition.
Application Requirements
Here are all the application requirements you need to apply to UVA.
Application Requirement Overview
| Common Application | Yes |
| Universal Application | No |
| Electronic Application | Yes |
| An essay or Personal Statement | Required for All New Students. |
| Letter of Recommendation | 2 |
| Interview | Not Required |
| Application Fee | $75 |
| Is a fee Waiver Available? | Available |
Testing Requirements
| SAT/ACT | Required |
| SAT Essay/ACT Writing | Required |
| SAT Subject Tests | Recommended |
| Score Due in Office | January 1 |
Coursework Requirement
| Subject | Required Year |
| English | 4 |
| Math | 4 |
| Science | 2 |
| Foreign Language | 2 |
| Social Studies | 1 |
| History | – |
| Electives | – |
Deadlines & Early Admission
| Offered? | Application Deadline | Admission Notification | |
| Regular Admission | Yes | January 3 | April 1 |
| Early Action | Yes | November 1 | January 31 |
| Early Decision | Yes | November 1 | – |
Admission Office Information
| Address | PO Box 400160 Charlottesville, VA 22904 |
| Phone | (343) 982-3200 |
| Fax | (343) 924-3587 |
| undergraduateadmission@virginia.edu |
Scholarships Opportunities
The University of Virginia opens all its first-year students to so many scholarship opportunities as a form of financial aid for their students. As an early applicant to UVA, you will automatically be considered for a scholarship. Some of these scholarships are “Echols Scholars Programs in the College of Arts and Science” or the “Rodman Scholars Program in the School of Engineering”. There are so many other financial aid programs that you are entitled to as a first-year returning student of the school. You can learn more about both programs here. There is a diverse number of scholarships available to students, some of which required nomination by your school. An example of such scholarship is “The Jefferson Scholarship” and some other ones awarded specifically by the academic standing of the respective department. https://sfs.virginia.edu/financial-aid-new-applicants/financial-aid-basics/types-aid/scholarships-and-grants As a way of attracting the world’s best and brightest international students, UVA has established many scholarships basically for international students who are wishing to pursue a degree at the school. Among other scholarships Awardees at UVA are:
- SFS-Administered Scholarship.
- Academic department.
- Alumni Association.
- Office of Citizen Scholars Development.
- Vice Presidents for Research.
- Office of African-American Affairs.
There are also various other scholarship opportunities sponsored by Non-UVA. They are Non-UVA scholarships.
More Information about UVA
Cost of Study/Year
| Net Price | $17,845 |
| Average Annual Cost | $14,811 |
| Book & Supplies | $1,350 |
| Other Fees | $2,842 |
| Room & Board | $11,590 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $2,900 |
| Total One Year Cost | $33,493 |
Four Majors
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General… | 863 Graduates |
| Economics | 425 Graduates |
| Business/Commerce, General | 349Graduates |
| Biology, General | 315 Graduates |
Financial Aid
| Details | Average Aid Per Year |
| Students Receiving Gift Aid | $21,865 |
| Students Receiving Federal Grants | $5,077 |
| Students Receiving State Aid | $5,077 |
| Students Receiving Institutional Grants | $18,525 |
About the University of Virginia
| Type | Public |
| Academic Calendar | Semester |
| Population | 24,639 |
| Website | /www.virginia.edu/ |
| Accreditation | SACSCOC |
| Religious Affiliation | Not Applicable |
| On-Campus Housing | Yes |
The University of Virginia is public research located in Charlottesville, VA. It is otherwise and popularly known as Virginia Main Campus. The Institution covers a total area of about 1,135 acres of land. Established in the year 1819, the university of Virginia-Main campus was founded by Thomas Jefferson. Notably, the official color of UVA is Orange and Blue. Talking of the number of pupils in the school, it has a total number of 25,000+ enrollment during the fall semester, of 2019. Out of which 17,000+ were undergraduates while about 8000+ were graduate and postgraduates’ students. The school has employed a total of about 182 part-time and 3,083 full-time faculties during the fall semester of 2019 to teach various courses to the students. UVA is a home that is not discriminative in its admission selection process and they do not periodize any gender over there like Emerson college. Neither do they choose to accept any ethnicity of the other?
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to the frequently asked questions on the Univesity of Virginia’s Acceptance Rate for the class of 2026 and beyond.
Is UVA hard to get into?
The school’s acceptance rate according to previous statistics is 23%. This says that the university is hard to get into as it has a low acceptance rate
What GPA do I need to get into the University of Virginia?
UVA requires that every student finishes at the top of their class therefore, it is expected by the university that every applicant has an average GPA of 4.3 and has straight As in all their classes.
Is UVA an Ivy League school?
No. UVA is not recognized as an Ivy League school and considers the label “Ivy league” less glamorous as it all balls down to sport and the school pride in its academic prowess.
How do I submit my document for application?
The school like to refer to itself as a paperless office therefore they seldom accept documents in hardcopy. Does the school prefer that all application submissions should be submitted online?
Can submit a recommendation from someone who knows me from outside school?
UVA requires at least one recommendation from a teacher of an academic subject and one letter from the school counselor, this is to give an insight into your classroom lifestyle and it helps the admission committee to earn more about your school performance. While you are required to submit an extra recommendation from someone who knows you outside school, we advise that to be at a greater advantage you get recommendations from a staff of your school.
Does UVA do interviews?
No. The University Of Virginia does not offer interviews to applicants. Nonetheless, prospective students are welcome to visit for information and tours.
Does UVA accept international students?
The University of Virginia believes in the importance of the global community and has reflected this in its commitment to the acceptance of students from various parts of the world.
Does UVA meet the full need of its student?
Selection and admission into UVA are solely based on intellect and academic achievement and not on the finances of the student or the background of the student which is described in other words as the “ability to pay”. The school strives to meet the full need of the student to enhance educational growth in society.
Does UVA accept Transfer students?
Yes. The school encourages students to transfer into the school and welcomes them with arms wide open as long as they are recently admitted, students.
What is the UVA transfer acceptance rate?
University of Virginia’s average transfer acceptance rate is 37%. This says that out of every hundred students that apply for transfer into the school, on average, 37 applicants are accepted and minimally, 35 applicants are accepted. This further demonstrates how welcoming the school is to transfer students.
How hard is UVA academically?
The school is not exactly an easy school to get into and is an academically rigorous school. It pushes students to their limits and brings out the best in every one of them.
Does UVA require a personal statement?
The University of Virginia requires that every student complete two essays during the application process.
What are my chances of being admitted if I am put on the school’s waiting list?
The school makes sure to send detailed information about the waiting list process including statistics about previous waiting list experiences to students put on the waiting list.
Conclusion
The University of Virginia’s acceptance rate stands at 23%. This implies that in every hundred, only 23 applicants are “lucky” to be selected to be a student of the school. This percentage is very low and below average and goes to show how hard it is to get into the school. The University of Virginia is of opinion that quality is more important than quantity. The school does not care about the number of students they have but the intelligence level of the students they have. UVA requires that you have a GPA that ranges from 3.57 to 4.3 and an SAT score that ranges from 1330-to 1500 and an ACT score that ranges from 30-to 34. The school considers its student and takes consideration their financial need of the student. We wish you the best in your application, admission, and study process.
There are several Other Universities with relatively High and Low acceptance rates.
Below are Other Universities and Colleges with their acceptance rate:
- lee Strasberg theatre and film institute acceptance is 90%
- Northwestern University law school acceptance rate is 19.3%
- MIT acceptance rate is 6.7%
- Northeastern acceptance rate is 18.38%
- UConn acceptance rate is 52%
- Emerson college’s acceptance rate is 33%
- Barnard College acceptance rate is 14%
- UVA acceptance rate is 23%
- Fordham acceptance rate is 46%
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