26 Va. schools make U.S. News and World Report’s 2021 list

University of Virginia snags No. 4 spot for best public university

Published September 14, 2020 by Sydney Lake

Of more than 500 schools recognized on the U.S. News and World Report’s 2021 lists of the best universities and liberal arts colleges in the country released Monday, 26 Virginia schools snagged spots.

The University of Virginia was ranked as the fourth-best public school in the country and had the highest graduation rate of any public school, at 95%.

Eleven Virginia universities made the U.S. News and World Report 2021 list of best universities:

• No. 26 University of Virginia
• No. 39 William & Mary 
• No. 74 Virginia Tech
• No. 143 George Mason University
• No. 160 Virginia Commonwealth University
• No. 217 Hampton University
• No. 241 Shenandoah University
• No. 258 Old Dominion University
• No. 298 Liberty University
• No. 298 Mary Baldwin University
• No. 298 Regent University

William & Mary tied at No. 4 with Princeton University for best undergraduate teaching, according to a university statement.

Of 223 rankings this year, 15 Virginia liberal arts colleges made U.S. News and World Report’s 2021 list:

• No. 9 Washington and Lee University
• No. 22 University of Richmond
• No. 69 Virginia Military Institute
• No. 102 Hampden-Sydney College
• No. 102 Hollins University
• No. 102 Randolph-Macon College
• No. 130 Roanoke College
• No. 140 Randolph College
• No. 154 Emory and Henry College
• No. 162 Sweet Briar College
• No. 166 University of Virginia-Wise
• No. 171 Bridgewater College
• No 171 Southern Virginia University
• No. 171 Virginia Union University
• No. 171 Virginia Wesleyan University

Washington and Lee University ranked No. 16 in the nation as a best value school and the University of Richmond ranked No. 25. The University of Richmond also ranked No. 18 on the most innovative schools list, which” highlights colleges that are making the most innovative improvements in terms of curriculum, faculty, students, campus life, technology or facilities,” according to a university statement.

Subscribe to Virginia Business.

Get our daily e-newsletter.