6 Virginia Colleges Among Top 100 In Nation: US News Rankings

VIRGINIA — Six colleges in Virginia ranked among the top 100 in the country, according to new 2025 Best Colleges rankings released Tuesday by U.S. News & World Report. There were 41 Virginia schools overall included in the 2025 rankings.

The rankings evaluated 1,500 colleges and universities using more than a dozen measures of academic quality, the digital media company said in a news release. This year in its rankings, U.S. News prioritized social mobility — that is, its record in enrolling and graduating students from all backgrounds with manageable debt — and post-graduate success, including earnings.

Here are the rankings for Virginia schools:

National Universities

24. (tied) University of Virginia

51. (tied) Virginia Tech

54. (tied) William & Mary

109. (tied) George Mason University

136. (tied) Virginia Commonwealth University

148. (tied) James Madison University

273. (tied) Hampton University

288. (tied) Marymount University

296. (tied) Old Dominion University

315. (tied) Radford University

315. (tied) Shenandoah University

329. (tied) University of Lynchburg

377. (tied) Mary Baldwin University

377. (tied) Regent University

392.-434. (tied) Liberty University

National Liberal Arts Colleges

19. (tied) Washington and Lee University

22. (tied) University of Richmond

59. (tied) Virginia Military Institute

103. (tied) Hampden-Sydney College

103. (tied) Randolph-Macon College

122. (tied) Roanoke College

132. (tied) University of Mary Washington

136. (tied) Hollins University

136. (tied) Patrick Henry College

162. (tied) Randolph College

165. (tied) Bridgewater College

173. (tied) Sweet Briar College

173. (tied) University of Virginia--Wise

175. (tied) Virginia Wesleyan University

182. (tied) Southern Virginia University

187.--204. (tied) Virginia Union University

Regional Universities (South)

6. Christopher Newport University

15. (tied) Longwood University

26. (tied) Emory & Henry University

48. (tied) Eastern Mennonite University

55. (tied) Norfolk State University

57. (tied) Virginia State University

62. (tied) Averett University

110. (tied) ECPI University

112. (tied) Bluefield University

Regional Colleges (South)

51. (tied) Ferrum College

Included in the 2025 report are specialized rankings such as the best value schools, most innovative colleges, top performers on social mobility and historically Black colleges and universities, as well as universities with the greatest commitment to undergraduate teaching. Other specialty rankings include programs that enhance student experiences, including first-year experiences, service learning, studying abroad and undergraduate research and creative projects.

George Mason University and James Madison University ranked in the top 100 of public schools in the nation, earning 52nd and 78th, respectively.

In the Best Value Schools ranking, University of Virginia ranked 30th overall in the nation.

In the Social Mobility ranking, George Mason University ranked 82nd in the nation, and Hampton University was 97th.

George Mason University ranked 25th among Most Innovative Schools, followed by Virginia Trch at 26th.

William & Mary ranked 17th in a tie for Best Undergraduate Teaching, James Madison University earned 26th, and University of Virginia was 45th.

The University of Virginia was named the seventh Best Colleges for Veterans, followed by Virginia Tech at 28th, William & Mary at 30th, George Mason University at 70th and Virginia Commonwealth University at 93rd.

The top national universities are:

1. Princeton University in New Jersey
2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
3. Harvard University in Massachusetts
4. Stanford University in California
5. Yale University in Connecticut

The top national liberal arts colleges are:

1. Williams College in Massachusetts
2. Amherst College in Massachusetts
3. Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania
4. United States Naval Academy in Maryland
5. Bowdoin College in Maine and Pomona College in California (tie)