Admit rate has ranged 48%–76% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Averett University is a small, selective liberal arts school in Danville, Virginia, where nearly every student receives financial aid and the 13:1 student-faculty ratio fosters close mentorship. Known for its test-optional admissions and robust online programs, Averett balances traditional strengths in business and healthcare with quirky niches like Finnish student exchanges and a 44% six-year graduation rate that outperforms its regional peers.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
Grade point average
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
High school transcript
Class rank
Letters of recommendation
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
College-prep program
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
1,231
In-state tuition
$38,550
Out-of-state tuition
$38,550
Acceptance Rate
47.8%
Freshman Retention
63%
Student-Faculty Ratio
13:1
6-Year Graduation Rate
44%
Financial Aid Recipients
99%
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$51,516
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
2.2×
Median debt at graduation
$25,000
Graduation rate
48%
First-year retention
65%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
53%
Pell (lower-income) share
65%
First-generation share
38%
Endowment / student
$4,620
Financial health
2.2 / 3.0Meets the federal financial-responsibility standard
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Business Administration, Management and Operations$48,725
Criminal Justice and Corrections$38,289
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods$37,208
Information Science/Studies$30,228
Health/Medical Preparatory Programs$25,709
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
2
Per 1,000 students
1.62
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
97
Summer high
88°F
Winter low
34°F
Annual rain
44.3"
Annual snow
4.9"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively Low
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
35
Scholarly works
254
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
0.6%
Bottom → top quintile
7%
From bottom quintile
8%
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Averett University?
Averett University's acceptance rate is approximately 57% (Danville, VA), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Averett University?
Admitted students at Averett University typically score 926–1143 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Averett University cost?
At Averett University, the average net price (after aid) is about $22,925 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Averett University?
Averett University enrolls approximately 1,231 undergraduate students.
Where is Averett University located?
Averett University is located in Danville, VA.
Admissions
Averett's admissions process is selective but not cutthroat, with a 47.8% Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. and Test-optionalA policy where you choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. If you don't, the rest of your application carries more weight. policies that make it accessible to a range of students. The middle 50% of admitted students score between 16–23 on the ACT or 1170 SAT, though scoring above a 22 ACT or 1170 SAT 'nearly guarantees' admission. Of the 2,573 applicants in a recent cycle, 1,456 were accepted, with 1,244 enrolling—a YieldThe share of admitted students who actually choose to enroll. Colleges watch it closely, which is why some weigh how interested you seem. rate suggesting strong appeal among those admitted. The university actively encourages applications from non-traditional students, including early admission candidates who haven’t yet completed high school.
With 50 majors and a 13:1 student-faculty ratio, Averett leans into its liberal arts roots while offering pragmatic programs in business, healthcare, and criminal justice. The university emphasizes skills like 'independent problem-solving,' 'clear writing,' and 'scientific reasoning' across disciplines. Standout programs include bachelor’s degrees in Art, Chemistry, and Modern Languages, plus a graduate program in Criminal Justice. However, the 63% freshman retention rate and 59% overall retention rate hint at academic challenges for some students. Online and hybrid options expand access, particularly for adult learners.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
$25,194
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Life at Averett revolves around tight-knit involvement, with student government, honor societies, and spiritual groups anchoring campus culture. The Division of Student Life pledges an 'inclusive environment' for personal growth, backed by visible security staff that students praise for responsiveness. Though the undergraduate population is small (1,180 students in fall 2023), the university cultivates diversity—evidenced by programs like its Finnish student exchange, which adds a global flair to Danville’s rural setting. Housing and Greek life options are standard for a school of its size, but service-learning commitments and niche clubs (like those tied to modern languages) punch above their weight.
Averett’s 44% six-year graduation rate (and 43% for Pell Grant recipients) outpaces many regional peers, though its four-year rate lags at 31%. The university transparently tracks these metrics alongside employment data for graduates, with wage outcomes varying significantly by program. For context, the 150% graduation rate benchmark (which allows six years for bachelor’s degrees) is a federal standard where Averett performs comparably to similar private institutions. Notably, students who persist tend to graduate—the 59% retention rate suggests those who stay beyond freshman year are likely to complete their degrees.
99% of Averett students receive financial aid, with the university awarding over $20 million annually to offset costs. The average Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost.—$23,781 after grants and scholarships—is competitive for a private institution, though still steep for many families. Merit aidScholarship money awarded for achievements like grades, talents, or test scores — not based on your family's financial need. is a major lever, with average aid packages totaling $24,485. Prospective students can use the university’s Net Price Calculator to estimate individualized costs, which often come in below the sticker price thanks to robust institutional support.
Averett carves a distinct niche as a small Virginia university that blends liberal arts rigor with career-ready programs and uncommon global touches (like its Finnish exchange). Its Test-optionalA policy where you choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. If you don't, the rest of your application carries more weight. policy and near-universal financial aid make it accessible, while the 13:1 faculty ratio ensures personalized attention. The six-year graduation rate, while modest, reflects stronger outcomes than many peers, particularly for Pell Grant recipients. For students seeking a close-knit community with pragmatic degrees—and the occasional Nordic twist—Averett delivers.
