Quick Reference Guide: 

4-year Private Colleges in Virginia 

Averett University ​Danville, VA
www.averett.edu
- Small: about 1,950 students on residential 25-acre campus in suburban setting, 45 minutes from
Greensboro, N.C.; 5 campuses: Main, Flight Operations Center, Equestrian Center, Riverview (Nursing
Center) and North Campus (Athletics)
- Entrance difficulty: Less selective
- Acceptance rate: 60%
- Average…
▪ Weighted GPA: 3.23
▪ SAT: Math 420-518, Critical Reading 410-510 Writing not reported
▪ ACT: 16-22
- Baptist-affiliated school, but welcomes all faiths or no faith backgrounds
- Offers less traditional majors such as Aerospace Management (concentrations in Aviation Business and
Flight Operations) and Equestrian Studies
- NCAA Division III athletics; USA South Conference; 39% of students are student-athletes
- Deadlines: Admissions – Rolling begins 9/1; Financial aid: 3/1
- Fees: Application fee: n/a; Cost of Attendance; $42,880; Average percent of need met: 69%

Bluefield College ​Bluefield, VA

www.bluefield.edu
- Small: about 926 students on residential 85-acre campus in rural setting facing the northern side of the
East River Mountain
- Entrance difficulty: Least selective
- Acceptance rate: 98%
- Average…
▪ Weighted GPA: 3.2
▪ SAT: Math 410-500, Critical Reading 390-510, Writing not reported
▪ ACT: 16-22
- Baptist-affiliated school; National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics; National Christian College
Athletic Association; Mid-South Conference and Appalachian Athletic Conference; relatively new
athletic stadium (built in 2011)
- Offers Christian studies in Department of Christian Studies: Bible, Biblical Languages, Ministry,
Theology/History, and Youth Ministry; Department of Music: Church Music; Department of Theatre:
Christian Drama
- Deadlines: Admissions - Regular Decision: 8/31; Rolling begins 10/15; Financial Aid: 3/15
- Fees: Application fee: n/a; Cost of Attendance: $36,780; Average percent of need met: 62%

Bridgewater College​ Bridgewater, VA www.bridgewater.edu

- Small: about 1,785 students on a residential, 300-acre campus located in a rural town in the
Shenandoah Valley; 8 minutes from Harrisonburg, VA; known for the “lowest crime rate in the state”
- Entrance difficulty: Moderately difficult
- Acceptance rate: 48%
- Average…
▪ Weighted GPA: 3.61
▪ SAT: Math 480-570, Critical Reading 470-570, Writing 440-540
▪ ACT: 21-27
 Quick Reference Guide: 
4-year Private Colleges in Virginia 
- Affiliated with Church of the Brethren (Protestant, Anabaptist) but welcomes all faiths or no faith
backgrounds; 9% of student body is Brethren and can receive scholarships for it
- NCAA Division III; Old Dominion Athletic Conference; nearly 30% of all students are student athletes
- 11 pre-professional programs, including Pre-Pharmacy, Pre-Law, and Pre-Ministry
- Deadlines: Admissions - rolling begins in August and ends 5/1; Financial Aid: 3/1
- Fees: Application fee: n/a; Cost of Attendance: $46,430; Average percent of need met: 88%

Eastern Mennonite University Harrisonburg, VA

www.emu.edu
- Small: about 1,227 students on a 92-acre campus; large town in a rural setting
- Entrance difficulty: Moderately difficult
- Acceptance rate: 65%
- Average…
▪ Weighted GPA: 3.4
▪ SAT: Math 430-560, Critical Reading 433-568 Writing 423-550
▪ ACT: 18-25
- Mennonite-affiliated school, but welcomes all faiths or no faith backgrounds
- Offers less traditional majors such as Peacebuilding and Development, Clinical Laboratory Science,
Coaching, International Development, Outdoor Ministry and Adventure Leadership, and Recreation
Leadership and Sport Promotion
- NCAA Division III athletics; Old Dominion Athletic Conference, Continental Volleyball Conference
- Deadlines: Admissions – Priority Decision: 1/15; Regular Decision: 3/1, then Rolling; Financial aid: 3/1
- Fees: Application fee: $25; Cost of Attendance; $45,150; Average percent of need met: 90%

Emory & Henry College ​ Emory, VA

www.ehc.edu
- Small: about 1,000 students on a 335-acre campus; the campus is a designated Historic Landmark and
is located in the Appalachian foothills near the Virginia/North Carolina/Tennessee border-
- A personal interview with Admissions is strongly encouraged
- Entrance difficulty: Somewhat selective
- Acceptance rate: 72%
- Average…
▪ Weighted GPA: 3.45
▪ SAT: Math 430-550, Critical Reading, 430-565, Writing 410-530
▪ ACT: 18-25
- United Methodist Church-affiliated school
- Students are invited to attend a range of cultural events called Lyceums; each year, almost 100
concerts, lectures, theatre, dance performances, films, exhibits, and poetry readings are held. Of the
lyceums, the biggest are a literary festival and a Spring Forum focused on a particular social issue.
- NCAA Division III athletics; Old Dominion Athletic Conference
- Deadlines: Admissions – Early Action: 11/15; Early Action 2: 1/15, rolling until 4/1; Financial aid: 4/1
- Fees: Application fee: $25; Cost of Attendance; $44,610; Average percent of need met: 94%

Ferrum College Ferrum, VA

www.ferrum.edu
 Quick Reference Guide: 
4-year Private Colleges in Virginia 
- Small: about 1,451 students on a 720-acre campus; located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains;
listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places.
- Entrance difficulty: Minimally difficult
- Acceptance rate: 73%
- Average…
▪ Weighted GPA: 2.88
▪ SAT: Math 380-480, Critical Reading 360-460, Writing 380-482
▪ ACT: 16-24
- United Methodist Church-affiliated school
- NCAA Division III athletics; USA South Athletic Conference
- Deadlines: Rolling Admissions begins 9/15; Priority Application: 3/1; Financial aid: 3/1
- Fees: Application fee: $25; Cost of Attendance; $43,630; Average percent of need met: 81%

Hampden-Sydney College​ Hampden-Sydney, VA

www.emu.edu
- Small: about 1,105 students on a 660-acre campus in a rural town, 2.5 miles away from Farmville, VA
- One of only 3 four-year, all-men’s liberal arts colleges in the U.S.; 10th oldest college in the U.S.
- Entrance difficulty: Moderately difficult
- Acceptance rate: 47%
- Average…
▪ Weighted GPA: 3.38
▪ SAT: Math 500-610, Critical Reading 495-610, Writing 460-570
▪ ACT: 21-26
- NCAA Division III athletics; Old Dominion Athletic Conference
- Deadlines: Admissions – Early Decision: 11/1; Early Action: 1/15; Regular Admission: 3/1; Priority
Financial Aid: 3/1, Financial Aid: 5/1
- Fees: Application fee: $30; Cost of Attendance; $57,370; Average percent of need met: 80%

Hampden-Sydney College​ Hampden-Sydney, VA

www.emu.edu
- Small: about 1,105 students on a 660-acre campus in a rural town, 2.5 miles away from Farmville, VA
- One of only 3 four-year, all-men’s liberal arts colleges in the U.S.; 10th oldest college in the U.S.
- Entrance difficulty: Moderately difficult
- Acceptance rate: 47%
- Average…
▪ Weighted GPA: 3.38
▪ SAT: Math 500-610, Critical Reading 495-610, Writing 460-570
▪ ACT: 21-26
- NCAA Division III athletics; Old Dominion Athletic Conference
- Deadlines: Admissions – Early Decision: 11/1; Early Action: 1/15; Regular Admission: 3/1; Priority
Financial Aid: 3/1, Financial Aid: 5/1
- Fees: Application fee: $30; Cost of Attendance; $57,370; Average percent of need met: 80%

Hampton University​ Hampton, VA

www.hamptonu.edu
 Quick Reference Guide: 
4-year Private Colleges in Virginia 
- Small: about 3,504 students on a 314-acre campus in an urban area, with popular surrounding cities
including Norfolk and Virginia Beach.
- Entrance difficulty: Moderately difficult
- Acceptance rate: 29%
- Average…
▪ Weighted GPA: 3.2
▪ SAT: Math 450-550, Critical Reading 460-550, Writing not reported
▪ ACT: 20-22
- Historically black university
- Offers 5-year Masters in Business Administration and Pharmacy degrees
- NCAA Division I athletics; Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference
- Deadlines: Admissions – Early Action: 11/1; Regular Admission: 3/1; Priority Financial Aid: 2/15
- Fees: Application fee: $35; Cost of Attendance; $36,426; Average percent of need met: 46%

Hollins University​ Roanoke, VA

www.hollins.edu
- Small: about 639 students on a 475-acre campus in a city; a women’s college.
- Entrance difficulty: Moderately difficult
- Acceptance rate: 57%
- Average…
▪ Weighted GPA: 3.6
▪ SAT: Math 460-570, Critical Reading 500-630, Writing 490-590
▪ ACT: 20-27
- 97% of students are employed or in graduate school within a year
- NCAA Division III athletics; Old Dominion Athletic Conference
- Deadlines: Admissions – Early Decision: 10/15; Early Action: 11/15; Regular Admission Priority: 2/1;
Regular Admission: 4/1, then Rolling Admissions; Financial Aid: 2/15; Students must mail tax returns
to Hollins between Jan. 1-April 15.
- Fees: Application fee: $40; Cost of Attendance; $50,735; Average percent of need met: 86%

Jefferson College of Health Sciences

www.jchs.edu
- Small: about 1,062 students in a city, located in downtown Roanoke.
- Oldest hospital-based college in Virginia; offers 15 majors in various healthcare disciplines in Associate
of Science, Bachelor of Science, and Master of Science degrees. Nationally recognized for nursing,
occupational therapy assistant, and physician assistant programs.
- Entrance difficulty: Moderately difficult
- Acceptance rate: 38%
- Average…
▪ Weighted GPA: 3.49
▪ SAT: Math 420-520, Critical Reading 430-530, Writing 420-510
▪ ACT: 18-22
- National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), NJCAA Region XVI and the Midwest Community
College Athletic Conference (MCCAC)
 Quick Reference Guide: 
4-year Private Colleges in Virginia 
- Deadlines: Admissions – Early Action: 11/11, then Rolling Admissions until programs are full; however,
the new deadline for Occupational Therapy Assistant and Physical Therapy Assistant programs is 1/15;
Financial Aid: 3/1
- Fees: Application fee: $35; Cost of Attendance; Not available, but Tuition/Fees is $24,400; Average
percent of need met: Not provided

Liberty University​ Lynchburg, VA

www.liberty.edu
- Large: about 12,645 residential students on a 160-acre campus in a small city with a suburban setting,
and over 100,000 online students; fundamentalist Baptist university.
- Entrance difficulty: Minimally difficult
- Acceptance rate: 20%
- Average…
▪ Weighted GPA: 3.39
▪ SAT: Math 450-570, Critical Reading 460-590, Writing 450-570
▪ ACT: 20-26
- NCAA Division I athletics; Big South Conference
- Deadlines: Admissions – Priority Program: 1/31, but Rolling Admissions otherwise, Financial Aid: 3/1
- Fees: Priority Program: $40, Regular Admissions: n/a; Cost of Attendance; $37,638; Average percent of
need met: 58%

Lynchburg College​ Lynchburg, VA

www.lynchburg.edu
- Medium: about 2,161 students on a 250-acre campus in a small city with a suburban setting
- Entrance difficulty: Moderately difficult
- Acceptance rate: 67%
- Average…
▪ Weighted GPA: 3.27
▪ SAT: Math 440-540, Critical Reading 460-550, Writing 430-530
▪ ACT: 19-24
- Christian-affiliated school, related by covenant to Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
- NCAA Division III athletics; Old Dominion Athletic Conference
- Deadlines: Early Decision: 11/15, then Rolling Admissions, Financial Aid: 3/1
- Fees: Application fee: none online, $30 for paper application; Cost of Attendance; $47,495; Average
percent of need met: 84%

Mary Baldwin College​ Staunton, VA

www.mbc.edu
- Small: about 2,352 students on a 54-acre campus in a large town with a suburban setting.
- Entrance difficulty: Moderately difficult
- Acceptance rate: 51%
- Average…
▪ Weighted GPA: 3.3
▪ SAT: Math 410-530, Critical Reading 440-560, Writing 420-540
▪ ACT: 19-24
 Quick Reference Guide: 
4-year Private Colleges in Virginia 
- A women’s college; Religious affiliation with the Presbyterian church
- NCAA Division III athletics; USA South Athletic Conference; their mascot is Gladys the Fighting Squirrel.
- Deadlines: Rolling Admission opens 9/1; Regular Decision: 4/15, but spaces still accepted on rolling
basis until filled; Financial Aid: 3/1
- Fees: Application fee: none; Cost of Attendance; $42,631; Average percent of need met: 74%

Marymount University​ Arlington, VA

www.marymount.edu
- Medium: about 2,363 students in a small city with a suburban setting, only 5 miles outside of
Washington D.C.; known primarily as a commuter campus.
- Entrance difficulty: Moderately difficult
- Acceptance rate: 84%
- Average…
▪ Weighted GPA: 3.16
▪ SAT: Math 450-550, Critical Reading 460-550, Writing 448-530
▪ ACT: 18-24
- Affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church
- NCAA Division III athletics; Capital Athletic Conference
- Deadlines: Rolling Admissions, Priority application: 4/15; Financial Aid: 3/1
- Fees: Application fee: $40; Cost of Attendance; $43,710; Average percent of need met: 67%

Randolph-Macon College​ Ashland, VA

www.rmc.edu
- Small: about 1,394 students in a small town with a suburban setting, located minutes outside of
Richmond, VA.
- Entrance difficulty: Moderately difficult
- Acceptance rate: 60%
- Average…
▪ Weighted GPA: 3.59
▪ SAT: Math 490-590, Critical Reading 490-600, Writing 480-580
▪ ACT: 21-26
- Affiliated with the United Methodist Church
- NCAA Division III athletics; Old Dominion Athletic Conference
- Deadlines: Early Action: 11/15; Priority Regular Decision: 2/1; Regular Decision: 3/1; Financial Aid
Priority Application: 2/15; Financial Aid: 3/1
- Fees: Application fee: $30; Cost of Attendance; $50,980; Average percent of need met: 83%

Randolph College​ Lynchburg, VA

www.randolphcollege.edu
- Small: 675 students in a small city with a suburban setting.
- Entrance difficulty: Moderately difficult
- Acceptance rate: 81%
- Average…
▪ Weighted GPA: 3.49
▪ SAT: Math 470-600, Critical Reading 480-600, Writing 470-570
▪ ACT: 20-29
 Quick Reference Guide: 
4-year Private Colleges in Virginia 
- Originally Randolph-Macon’s Woman’s College, Randolph College was renamed in 2007 when it
became coeducational. Now, its student population is about 64% women and 34% men.
- NCAA Division III athletics; Old Dominion Athletic Conference
- Deadlines: Early Action: 11/15; Rolling Admissions begin 12/15 with priority given to those who apply
by 2/15; spaces are then accepted on a rolling basis until filled; Financial Aid: encouraged by 2/1
- Fees: Application fee: $35; Cost of Attendance; $49,916; Average percent of need met: 83%

Roanoke College​ Salem, VA

www.roanoke.edu
- Small: about 2,000 students on a 68-acre campus in a large town with a suburban setting, 5 miles west
of Roanoke, VA. Many buildings on campus are registered as National Historic Landmarks.
- Entrance difficulty: Moderately difficult
- Acceptance rate: 69%
- Average…
▪ Weighted GPA: 3.5
▪ SAT: Math 490-600, Critical Reading 490-610, Writing 480-590
▪ ACT: 20-26
- Historically affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church, religion is not prominent on campus.
Lutherans total less than 10% of the college, with a student body represented of many religious
denominations, Roman Catholic most prevalent.
- NCAA Division III athletics; Old Dominion Athletic Conference
- Deadlines: Early Decision: 11/1; Rolling Admission begins 10/1 and ends 3/15, with priority given to
those who apply by 1/4; Scholarship Competition: 1/4; Fellows Program: 1/4; Financial Aid: 3/1
- Fees: Application fee: n/a; Cost of Attendance; $55,286; Average percent of need met: 80%

Regent University​ Virginia Beach, VA

www.regent.edu
- Medium: 2,410 students in a large city with a suburban setting.
- Entrance difficulty: Minimally difficult
- Acceptance rate: 92%
- Average…
▪ Weighted GPA: 3.52
▪ SAT: Math 440-550, Critical Reading 470-580, Writing 450-570
▪ ACT: 19-25
- Evangelical Christian-affiliated school; The School of Divinity offers a range of degrees, including
master’s in Biblical Studies, Missiology, Church Doctrine and History, traditional seminary degrees,
Doctor of Ministry degree, and Ph.D in Renewal Studies.
- Deadlines: n/a - admitted on a rolling basis; Financial Aid: 3/15
- Fees: Application fee: normally $50 but Regent has currently waived all application fees; Cost of
Attendance; $29,480; Average percent of need met: 52%

Shenandoah University​ Winchester, VA

www.su.edu
- Medium: about 1,892 students on a 100-acre campus in a large town with a suburban setting.
- Entrance difficulty: Moderately difficult
- Acceptance rate: 83%
 Quick Reference Guide: 
4-year Private Colleges in Virginia 
- Average…
▪ Weighted GPA: 3.39
▪ SAT: Math 440-560, Critical Reading 440-550, Writing 430-540
▪ ACT: 18-24
- Affiliated with the United Methodist Church but is welcome to all beliefs
- Its Pharmacogenomics and Music Production & Recording Technology (MPRT) programs are a part of
Apple Distinguished Programs, with many famous music and acting alumni; their School of Health
Professions includes Athletic Training, Respiratory Care, Occupational Therapy, Physician Assistant
Studies, and Physical Therapy
- Deadlines: Rolling Admissions until 6/1, with priority given to those who apply by 2/1; Housing
deposit: 4/5; Financial Aid: 3/15
- NCAA Division III athletics; Old Dominion Athletic Conference.
- Fees: Application fee: $30; Cost of Attendance; $44,780; Average percent of need met: 31%

Sweet Briar College​ Sweet Briar, VA

www.sbc.edu
- Small: about 691 students on a 3,250-acre campus in a rural community at the foothills of the Blue
Ridge Mountains; located 12 miles outside of Lynchburg, VA.
- Entrance difficulty: Moderately difficult
- Acceptance rate: 94%
- Average…
▪ Weighted GPA: 3.45
▪ SAT: Math 440-560, Critical Reading 455-600, Writing not reported
▪ ACT: 21-28
- A women’s college; in March 2015, SBC’s board of directors announced that the college would be
closing by the end of summer due to financial challenges, but a group of alumni and donors formed a
nonprofit organization “Saving Sweet Briar” that reversed the decision and kept the school open.
- NCAA Division III athletics; Old Dominion Athletic Conference.
- Deadlines: Rolling Admissions begin 9/1 and deadline is 2/1; Early Action: 11/1; Financial Aid: 2/15
- Fees: Application fee: $40; Cost of Attendance; $50,937; Average percent of need met: 80%

University of Richmond​ Richmond, VA

www.richmond.edu
- Medium: about 2,984 students on a 250-acre campus in a small city with a suburban setting, 6 miles
from downtown Richmond and near the border of Henrico County, VA.
- Entrance difficulty: Very difficult
- Acceptance rate: 32%
- Average…
▪ Weighted GPA: 3.8
▪ SAT: Math 620-720, Critical Reading 600-710, Writing 600-703
▪ ACT: 29-32
- The Richmond Guarantee: every undergraduate student is eligible to receive a fellowship of up to
$4,000 for a summer internship or faculty-mentored research project, with more than 600 fellowships
available through eight programs.
- NCAA Division I athletics; Atlantic 10 Conference.
- Deadlines: Early Decision I: 11/15; ED II and Regular Decision: 1/15; Richmond Scholars: 12/1;
Financial Aid: 2/15
 Quick Reference Guide: 
4-year Private Colleges in Virginia 
- Fees: Application fee: $50; Cost of Attendance; $61,370; Average percent of need met: 100%

Virginia Union University​ Richmond, VA

www.vuu.edu
- Small: about 1,323 students on an 82-acre campus in a small city with an urban setting.
- Entrance difficulty: Very difficult
- Acceptance rate: 24%
- Average…
▪ Weighted GPA: 2.7
▪ SAT: Math 340-430, Critical Reading 350-430, Writing not reported
▪ ACT: 14-18
- Historically black university with many notable alumni; Baptist-affiliated.
- NCAA Division II athletics; Eastern Division of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association.
- Deadlines: Rolling Admissions begins 9/1 and ends 6/30 with priority given to those who apply by 6/1;
Housing deposit: 7/1; Financial Aid: 3/15
- Fees: Application fee: $25; Cost of Attendance; $28,756; Average percent of need met: 49%

Virginia Wesleyan College​ Norfolk, VA

www.vwc.edu
- Small: about 1,500 students on a 300-acre campus in a large city with a suburban setting; campus is
both within Norfolk and Virginia Beach.
- Entrance difficulty: Moderately difficult
- Acceptance rate: 89%
- Average…
▪ Weighted GPA: 3.3
▪ SAT: Math 430-550, Critical Reading 440-550, Writing 425-530
▪ ACT: 18-24
- Affiliated with the United Methodist Church
- NCAA Division III athletics; Old Dominion Athletic Conference
- Deadlines: Summer Advantage: 8/15; Early Decision: 11/15; Rolling Admissions begins 9/1 and ends
3/1; Priority Financial Aid: 2/15
- Fees: Application fee: n/a; Cost of Attendance; $47,108; Average percent of need met: 70%

Washington & Lee University​ Lexington, VA

www.wlu.edu
- Small: about 1,890 students on a 325-acre campus in a small town with a rural setting; in the
Shenandoah Valley region between the Blue Ridge Mountains and Allegheny Mountains.
- Entrance difficulty: Most difficult
- Acceptance rate: 20%
- Average…
▪ Weighted GPA: Not reported
▪ SAT: Math 660-730, Critical Reading 660-730, Writing 640-730
▪ ACT: 30-33
- Great faculty-to-student ratio of 8:1; most popular degrees are Business Administration and
Management, Economics, and Accounting and Business/Management
- NCAA Division III athletics; Old Dominion Athletic Conference
 Quick Reference Guide: 
4-year Private Colleges in Virginia 
- Deadlines: Early Decision Round I: 11/1; Johnson Scholarship: 12/1; ED Round II: 1/1; Regular
Decision: 1/1; Financial Aid for ED I: 12/1; Financial Aid for ED II: 1/1; Financial Aid for Regular
Decision: 2/15
- Fees: Application fee: $50; Cost of Attendance; $61,235; Average percent of need met: 100%