University of Richmond, VAprivate nonprofitrichmond.edu
Acceptance
22%
SAT 25–75
1410–1530
Avg net price
$31,309
Earnings (10 yr)
$76,178
Graduation rate
85%
Admit rate has ranged 23%–31% over the last 5 years. 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.
The University of Richmond blends the intimacy of a liberal arts college with the resources of a selective private university, offering a rigorous, interdisciplinary education on a lush, residential campus just outside Virginia's capital. Known for its strong business and leadership programs, Richmond attracts ambitious students with its 9:1 student-faculty ratio, generous financial aid (68% receive some form of it), and a tight-knit community that splits opinions — some find it welcoming, others note its homogeneity. With a 24% yield rate and median graduate earnings of $67,927 six years out, Richmond punches above its weight.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
Letters of recommendation
College-prep program
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Class rank
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
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
2,980
In-state tuition
$65,230
Out-of-state tuition
$65,230
Acceptance Rate
22%
On-Campus Housing
76% of students
Most Popular Major
Business Administration (26%)
Student-Faculty Ratio
9:1
4-Year Graduation Rate
78%
6-Year Graduation Rate
87%
Median Earnings 6 Years After Graduation
$67,927
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$76,178
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
2.4×
Median debt at graduation
$21,000
Graduation rate
85%
First-year retention
91%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
76%
Pell (lower-income) share
42%
First-generation share
12%
Endowment / student
$1,088,956
Financial health
2.4 / 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.
Computer and Information Sciences, General$74,157
Accounting and Related Services$66,355
Economics$65,821
Business Administration, Management and Operations$56,544
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics$47,260
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
2
Per 1,000 students
0.67
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
92
Summer high
88°F
Winter low
34°F
Annual rain
44.6"
Annual snow
5.9"
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
244
Scholarly works
17,871
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
37%
From bottom quintile
2%
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 University of Richmond?
University of Richmond's acceptance rate is approximately 22% (University of Richmond, VA), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for University of Richmond?
Admitted students at University of Richmond typically score 1410–1530 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does University of Richmond cost?
At University of Richmond, the average net price (after aid) is about $31,309 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend University of Richmond?
University of Richmond enrolls approximately 2,980 undergraduate students.
Where is University of Richmond located?
University of Richmond is located in University of Richmond, VA.
Admissions
Richmond is highly selective, with a 22% Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. (3,525 admits from 15,121 applicants in 2023) and middle-50% SAT scores of 1450–1520 or ACT scores of 33–35. The average unweighted GPA for admitted students falls between 3.82 and 4.0. Notably, the YieldThe share of admitted students who actually choose to enroll. Colleges watch it closely, which is why some weigh how interested you seem. rate (percentage of admitted students who enroll) was 24% in 2023, suggesting strong competition among peer institutions for these high-achieving students. Applications are due January 1 for regular decision, and 68% of enrolled students receive some form of financial aid.
With over 60 majors, Richmond emphasizes interdisciplinary study and close faculty mentorship (all classes are taught by professors, with a 9:1 student-faculty ratio). Business Administration is the most popular major (26% of students), followed by Econometrics (7%) and Organizational Behavior. The university integrates arts and sciences with business, leadership, and pre-professional programs like pre-law and pre-med. Small class sizes are the norm — 60% of courses have fewer than 20 students — and undergraduate research funding is robust. STEM programs are particularly strong, with Quora users noting they 'improve your chance of earning much' post-graduation.
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.
$44,542
Journalism$43,426
Political Science and Government$41,789
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 Richmond revolves around its residential campus (76% of students live on-site) and a mix of school spirit and intellectual engagement. Descriptions of the social scene vary widely: some call it 'friendly and tight-knit' (per College Confidential), while Reddit users note divides between perceptions of it as 'white, straight, and pretentious' versus 'laid back and welcoming.' The university offers 150+ student organizations, Division I athletics (Spider pride runs deep), and proximity to Richmond’s urban amenities. Housing is guaranteed for all four years, fostering continuity in campus culture.
Richmond graduates succeed by traditional metrics: 87% graduate within six years (82% within four years), and the median salary six years post-graduation is $67,927. The university aims for even higher retention (92%) and graduation (88%) rates, benchmarking against elite peers. Notably, 100% of Native American/Alaska Native students graduate within six years, outperforming other racial groups. About 78% of students complete their degree in four years, and while earnings one year after graduation average $36,427, the long-term trajectory is strong.
At $70,725 for tuition, Richmond is pricey but meets 100% of demonstrated need for admitted students. 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. after aid is $26,859, and 68% of students receive financial assistance. Top awards like the Richmond Scholars program cover full tuition, housing, and food for 25 incoming students annually. The university encourages use of its net price calculator to estimate individualized costs, emphasizing that aid packages heavily feature grants rather than loans.
Richmond’s hybrid identity — neither a tiny liberal arts college nor a sprawling university — lets it offer both close mentorship and robust resources. Its business program rivals larger schools, while its 9:1 ratio ensures seminar-style classes. The campus culture is divisive but deeply engaged, with strong alumni networks (especially in finance and law). Unique perks include guaranteed housing, undergraduate research funding, and Richmond’s proximity to D.C. For students seeking a selective, personalized education with strong outcomes, it’s a compelling choice — if the social fit aligns.
University of Richmond logo · sourceFacts & Rankings - About - University of Richmond · sourceUniversity of Richmond - Virginia Private Colleges · sourcePrinceton Review Ranks University of Richmond #1 Most Beautiful Campus; #3 for Best-Run College, Classroom Experience - news - University of Richmond · source
