During the 2024–2025 admissions cycle, the University of Virginia admitted only a relatively small share of its applicant pool, with an overall acceptance rate of 16.81%. That headline number, on its own, doesn’t actually tell you very much. How is it calculated? What pressures are shaping it year over year? UVA does make portions of its admissions data public, but getting real clarity requires a closer look beneath the surface. That kind of deeper analysis is exactly what we do each year to help students approach selective admissions with clear eyes and a smart, intentional strategy.
To do that, we turn to the Common Data Set. Like most colleges and universities in the U.S., UVA completes the CDS, a standardized reporting document used by organizations such as U.S. News & World Report and the College Board. The CDS contains a lot of information, but for our purposes, we’re focusing on Section C of UVA’s 2024–2025 CDS: first-time, first-year admissions.
Trend Spotting: Five Years of UVA Admissions
Before narrowing in on this most recent cycle, it helps to zoom out and look at the bigger picture at UVA. Application volume has surged in recent years, while the number of available seats has stayed relatively fixed.
| Year | Total Applicants | Number of Admitted Students | Overall Acceptance Rate | ED Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 58,951 | 9,909 | 16.81% | 27.91% |
| 2024 | 56,528 | 9,533 | 16.86% | 24.49% |
| 2023 | 50,926 | 9,503 | 18.66% | 31.94% |
| 2022 | 47,982 | 9,951 | 20.74% | 43.69% |
| 2021 | 40,878 | 9,230 | 22.58% | 33.85% |
*Denotes our own calculation based on the raw numbers
Why This Matters: More applicants chasing the same number of spots means admission gets tougher every year, and that trend shows no signs of reversing.
When you apply to UVA, you’re entering a pool of tens of thousands of students who look strong on paper. High grades and rigorous coursework are the baseline, not the separator. Differentiation comes from depth, clarity of interests, and a profile that reflects intention rather than resume padding.
C1: First-Time, First-Year Admission, Applications
Let’s take a look at this year’s breakdown:
| First-time, First-year Applicants | Applied | Admitted | Acceptance Rate | Enrolled | Yield Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men | 27,252 | 4,382 | 16.08% | 1,718 | 39.20% |
| Women | 31,685 | 5,527 | 14.44% | 2,243 | 40.60% |
| Another Gender | 14 | 0 | 0% | N/A | N/A |
*Denotes our own calculation based on the raw numbers.
| First-time, First-year Applicants | Total | In State | Out of State | International |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Applied | 58,951 | 16,464 | 35,526 | 6,961 |
| Admitted | 9,909 | 4,269 | 4,912 | 728 |
| Acceptance Rate | 16.81% | 25.93% | 13.83% | 10.46% |
| Enrolled | 3,961 | 206 | 1,132 | 206 |
| Yield Rate | 39.90% | 4.80% | 23.10% | 28.30% |
*Denotes our own calculation based on the raw numbers
We think they filled this out wrong. The total enrolled is 3,961, but 206 + 1132 + 206 doesn’t equal 3,961. We are going to assume they incorrectly filled out the enrolled in-state portion, since a 4.8% yield makes almost no sense. Based on this, we believe the true enrolled in-state number is ~2,417, which would yield 56.6% and make more sense with their overall yield rate, although it does not work out perfectly. This kind of careless mistake is very concerning to us! Not only does this mistake make UVA look worse, but it might also lead students to make less informed decisions.
Key Takeaways for Acceptance Rates:
In-state applicants enjoy a significantly higher admission rate than out-of-state students
Out-of-state and international admission is far more competitive
UVA’s yield rate is lower than that of many peer institutions, which influences how they manage offers
UVA’s level of selectivity can surprise families who remember it as more accessible decades ago. Still, the reality is that it has become one of the most sought-after public universities in the country. For most students, UVA should be treated as a reach – not a safety, and often not even a true target.
Standardized Test Scores
Unlike many private peers, UVA requires standardized test scores, and that matters. Across higher education, schools are paying closer attention to how students perform after enrollment, and testing has reemerged as a meaningful academic signal. At UVA, strong scores absolutely factor into the evaluation process.
And the data backs that up. Looking at who submits scores and how competitive those scores are gives us a clearer sense of what UVA prioritizes academically.
Breakdown of enrolled students who submitted test scores:
| Percent | Number | |
|---|---|---|
| Submitting SAT Scores | 45.60% | 1,805 |
| Submitting ACT Scores | 13.80% | 547 |
| Total Submitting Scores* | 59.40% | 2,352 |
*Denotes our own calculation based on the raw numbers
Why This Matters: A large portion of enrolled students submitted test scores, signaling that UVA places real weight on them.
Many students who ultimately enroll at UVA report SAT or ACT scores, and those scores tend to sit at the higher end of the national range. That sends a clear message: applicants with strong results aren’t hiding them, and submitting competitive scores can meaningfully strengthen your application.
You could argue that the averages skew high because only confident testers submit – but when those same score ranges appear consistently across UVA and its peer institutions, it’s a strong indication that this is simply the current standard.
| Test | 25th Percentile | 50th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Composite | 1410 | 1470 | 1520 |
| SAT Evidence-Based Reading + Writing | 700 | 730 | 760 |
| SAT Math | 710 | 750 | 780 |
| ACT Composite | 32 | 33 | 35 |
| ACT Math | 30 | 33 | 35 |
| ACT English | 34 | 35 | 35 |
First-time, first-year students with scores in each range:
| Score Range | SAT Evidence-Based Reading + Writing | SAT Math |
|---|---|---|
| 700-800 | 80% | 80% |
| 600-699 | 18% | 16% |
| 500-599 | 2% | 3% |
| 400-499 | 0% | 1% |
| Score Range | SAT Composite |
|---|---|
| 1400-1600 | 81% |
| 1200-1399 | 16% |
| 1000-1199 | 3% |
| Score Range | ACT Composite | ACT English | ACT Math |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30-36 | 92% | 92% | 79% |
| 24-29 | 7% | 6% | 18% |
| 18-23 | 1% | 2% | 3% |
Standardized Test Score Takeaways:
The typical admitted and enrolled UVA student is posting very strong test results — think scores solidly in the upper ranges nationally
UVA does show some spread in test scores compared to certain peer schools, but that flexibility should not be mistaken for leniency. Submitting a weak score can absolutely work against you
The sliver of students reporting much lower scores represents a true anomaly, and we have no insight into the individual circumstances behind those admits
Because UVA requires standardized testing, scores play a clear and consistent role in the evaluation process. Among enrolled students, those at the top of the academic range are submitting results that reinforce just how competitive the pool really is. The takeaway is simple: understanding the data helps you approach the process with intention instead of guesswork.
You see a comparable story when you look at grades, too. 81.47% of first-time, first-year (freshman) students who submitted their GPA:
| GPA Range | Percentage |
|---|---|
| 4 | 90.50% |
| 3.75 - 3.99 | 6.80% |
| 3.5 - 3.74 | 2.10% |
| 3.25 - 3.49 | 0.30% |
| 3.0 - 3.24 | 0.10% |
| 2.5 - 2.99 | 0.20% |
| 2.0 - 2.49 | 0% |
Key GPA Takeaways:
Anything less than a 4.0 greatly lessens the strength of your application
Students with GPAs under 3.75 are statistical outliers, and you should not build a strategy around them
| Class Rank | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Top 10th of HS graduating class | 84% |
| Top Quarter of HS graduating class | 97% |
| Top Half of HS graduating class | 99% |
| Bottom Half of HS graduating class | 1% |
| Total submitting class rank | 34% |
Key Class Rank Takeaways:
Most students who enroll at UVA graduate near the top of their high school class
Not every high school reports class rank, so partial reporting is expected
As class rank drops, admission odds fall sharply
It’s also important to address the very small group of admitted students who appear in lower score bands – for example, those with ACT scores in the low-to-mid 20s or unusually uneven section results. These cases are exceptions, not proof that standards are flexible. After all, UVA is a sports school.
The reality is, we don’t know who those students are or what tipped the scales in their favor. At a place like UVA, they could be recruited athletes, first-generation applicants, students from under-resourced schools, or individuals with highly unusual circumstances. Every selective school has outliers – but they don’t reflect how decisions are made for the vast majority of applicants, and it’s unlikely that you fall into that category.
Early Decision/Early Action
UVA has used Early Decision and Early Action as a meaningful part of its admissions approach for years. Traditionally, students who apply early have seen stronger admit rates than those who wait for Regular Decision – but that gap has steadily tightened as more applicants rush into the ED round. The higher percentage can look appealing at first glance, but it’s not a cheat code. Let’s look at the ED numbers:
| Number of ED applications | 4,461 |
|---|---|
| Number of ED acceptances | 1,245 |
| ED acceptance rate | 27.91% |
| Percent of admitted students accepted through ED | 12.60% |
*Denotes our own calculation based on the raw numbers
Why This Matters: Early Decision (and Early Action) at UVA still offers a statistical edge over the overall acceptance rate. That said, ED is never a guarantee. It tends to benefit applicants who are already highly competitive and clearly aligned with the school, rather than applicants hoping the early round will compensate for weaknesses elsewhere.
What’s happening behind the scenes is simple supply and demand. Application volume continues to rise while available seats stay relatively fixed, which naturally drives admit rates down. And while a solid slice of the incoming class comes from ED, it’s far from the majority. That balance is an important consideration when deciding whether applying ED is truly the right strategic move for you – and EA might be the better choice.
Now, EA at UVA is also a big part of the admissions pool, but schools that use EA don’t have to disclose the same level of granular admissions data as ED. As a result, many of the numbers students actually want simply aren’t available to us. Here’s what we can say about UVA’s Early Action round: it’s highly competitive and absolutely not a safety net. It’s probably higher than the overall rate and a bit lower than the ED rate. For students with exceptionally strong, well-aligned applications, but who are applying ED or REA to other institutions, EA can make sense.
Waitlist
Thankfully for us, UVA does publish waitlist data. And based on both the numbers and our direct experience, the takeaway is this: getting off the UVA waitlist is difficult, but it’s far from impossible.
| Students Placed on Waitlist | 10,470 |
|---|---|
| Percent of Total Applicants Waitlisted | 17.76% |
| Students Accepting a Spot on The Waitlist | 6,759 |
| Percent of Students Accepting Waitlist Spot | 64.60% |
| Students Admitted off The Waitlist | 242 |
| Waitlist Acceptance Rate* | 3.58% |
| Percent of total students accepted off the waitlist | 2.44% |
*Denotes our own calculation based on the raw numbers
Key Waitlist Takeaways:
UVA offers a lot of students a spot on the waitlist – 10k – even though this is not a huge percentage of the overall pool
Only about two-thirds of students offered a waitlist spot accept
UVA has a lower waitlist acceptance rate than we’d expect for a school with such a low yield rate
When students see a waitlist decision, reactions usually swing to extremes. Some assume it’s a polite no. Others convince themselves it’s basically a delayed yes, which it certainly is not. A waitlist decision means UVA sees you as capable of succeeding there – they just don’t currently have room for you. And while movement is limited and unpredictable, it does happen. We help students navigate and succeed off waitlists at UVA and other selective schools every year.
Considerations
Now we’re onto the part of the Common Data Set where the numbers stop doing all the talking. Yes, UVA evaluates concrete academic indicators like GPA, coursework rigor, and test scores, but those are just the foundation. Layered on top are broader “considerations” that are inherently subjective, and this is where a strong strategy really matters. Let’s start with academics:
| Academic Factors | Very Important | Important | Considered | Not Considered |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rigor of secondary school record | X | |||
| Class rank | X | |||
| Academic GPA | X | |||
| Standardized test scores | X | |||
| Application Essay | X | |||
| Recommendation(s) | X |
Key Takeaways for Academic Factors:
Academic performance is heavily weighted at UVA
For the 2025-2026 cycle, UVA removed essays, and them describing them as just “important” here was an interesting step
Many high schools don’t report class rank, so its absence isn’t penalized
Getting the best grades in the hardest classes available to you is essential
| Nonacademic Factors | Very Important | Important | Considered | Not Considered |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interview | X | |||
| Extracurricular activities | X | |||
| Talent/ability | X | |||
| Character/personal qualities | X | |||
| First generation | X | |||
| Alumni/ae relation | X | |||
| Geographical residence | X | |||
| State residency | X | |||
| Religious affiliation/commitment | X | |||
| Volunteer work | X | |||
| Work experience | X | |||
| Level of applicant’s interest | X |
Key Takeaways for Nonacademic Factors:
UVA does NOT track demonstrated interest
Where you live (objective) and your character (subjective) are most important to UVA - they are constitutionally mandated to accept a large portion of their student body from Virginia
How you spend your time outside of school, especially in extracurriculars, matter
On the nonacademic side, some factors are straightforward. Geographic background or first-generation status are fixed details in your file. Others are much harder to pin down. Traits like character, personal qualities, and talent don’t come with a scoring guide. Admissions officers synthesize these elements by reading your application holistically. And look, you can be intentional about how you present yourself, but you can’t fully control interpretation. At its core, UVA is assessing fit, which means you should also be asking whether the school’s culture, values, and academic ethos genuinely resonate with you.
This is also where extracurriculars start doing real work. For applicants who are truly competitive at UVA, especially out-of-state applicants interested in competitive programs, surface-level involvement won’t separate them from the pack. The strongest candidates aren’t stacking clubs or padding resumes with a bunch of stuff that doesn't come together to tell a story. They’re deeply invested in a small number of pursuits that reflect curiosity, commitment, and intellectual direction. Their activities tell a cohesive story about who they are and where they’re going. Depth, consistency, and originality matter here, and helping students build that kind of profile is exactly what we do year after year.
Conclusion
There’s no denying that UVA is highly competitive. By now, you should have a much clearer sense of what that competitiveness actually looks like beyond reputation alone.
Still, admissions decisions aren’t solely made by spreadsheets. Data can highlight trends and benchmarks, but it can’t fully explain what UVA values, and it absolutely cannot describe you. When we work with students, whether they’re applying Early Action, Early Decision, Regular Decision, targeting McIntire, or navigating a challenge, our approach is always individualized. Each strategy is built around the student’s academic strengths, interests, and long-term goals. There’s no universal playbook for getting into UVA – but there are smart, intentional choices that can meaningfully strengthen how your application is evaluated. And we can help you build a profile that stands out from the crowd.
One way to increase your odds? Working with college consultants who are experts in the field and have a high rate of success getting students into UVA. We help countless students gain admission to top universities every single year – reach out to us today to get started.