Admit rate has ranged 71%–86% 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.
Virginia Wesleyan University is a small, private liberal arts college in Virginia Beach that punches above its weight with a surprisingly accessible admissions process (73% acceptance rate) and a focus on hands-on, discussion-based learning. While its graduation rates hover around 46%, the school compensates with strong merit aid packages and a tight-knit coastal campus vibe—think business majors debating over coffee between classes and student-led oyster roasts on the nearby Chesapeake Bay.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
College-prep program
Considered (not required)
Class rank
Letters of recommendation
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
Demonstrated competencies
TOEFL (non-native English)
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
1,256
In-state tuition
$37,500
Out-of-state tuition
$37,500
Location
Virginia Beach, VA
Top Major
Business
Campus Housing
90% residential
Acceptance Rate
72.9%
6-Year Grad Rate
46%
Median Earnings After 1 Year
$36,427
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$50,074
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
2.5×
Median debt at graduation
$27,000
Graduation rate
42%
First-year retention
74%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
58%
Pell (lower-income) share
59%
First-generation share
31%
Endowment / student
$96,991
Financial health
2.7 / 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.
Mathematics$48,432
Business Administration, Management and Operations$37,208
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other$35,330
Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies$31,851
Criminal Justice and Corrections$29,685
Communication and Media Studies$28,598
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
1
Per 1,000 students
0.80
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
111
Summer high
85°F
Winter low
39°F
Annual rain
48.5"
Annual snow
3.2"
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
41
Scholarly works
777
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.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Virginia Wesleyan University?
Virginia Wesleyan University's acceptance rate is approximately 73% (Virginia Beach, VA), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
How much does Virginia Wesleyan University cost?
At Virginia Wesleyan University, the average net price (after aid) is about $19,676 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Virginia Wesleyan University?
Virginia Wesleyan University enrolls approximately 1,256 undergraduate students.
Where is Virginia Wesleyan University located?
Virginia Wesleyan University is located in Virginia Beach, VA.
Admissions
Virginia Wesleyan is one of the more accessible private liberal arts colleges in the region, with a 72.9% acceptance rate (2,775 admits from 3,808 applications in 2024). The middle 50% of admitted students typically have a GPA around 3.32, with SAT scores averaging 1060 and ACT scores around 22. Notably, 32.79% of admits have a GPA of 3.75+, while test scores are optional—a policy that reflects the school’s emphasis on Holistic admissionsA review that weighs the whole applicant — grades, essays, activities, and context — rather than relying on test scores and GPA alone. over standardized metrics. Applications are rolling, with a final deadline of August 1.
VWU offers 42 majors anchored in liberal arts but with pragmatic twists—business is the most popular program, emphasizing "skills for the ever-changing world" through small, professor-led discussions. Other standouts include interdisciplinary studies and marine science (leveraging its coastal location). Classes are notably ; as one review notes, they’re "always taught by professors," not TAs. The curriculum balances traditional rigor with flexibility, allowing undergrads to craft combinations like environmental studies with nonprofit management.
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.
Psychology, General$26,643
Political Science and Government$26,353
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 here revolves around the residential campus, where 90% of students live in dorms designed to foster "cultural and educational enrichment." Traditions include oyster roasts and beach bonfires (Virginia Beach is minutes away). The vibe is collaborative rather than competitive, with clubs ranging from Model UN to surfing. A student-run programming board organizes concerts and multicultural events, while Division III athletics (the Marlins) draw crowds, especially basketball. Safety is a selling point—the school touts its "secure environment" as key to student focus.
Graduation rates are a work in progress: 46% of students finish within six years (30% for Pell Grant recipients). Alumni earn a median $36,427 one year post-graduation—comparable to regional public schools but below elite privates. The university has invested in retention initiatives, lifting rates from 42% to 52% over recent cohorts. Career services emphasize local networks, with many grads entering Norfolk’s corporate hubs or nonprofit sector. For those who persist, the intimate alumni network pays dividends in mentorship and job referrals.
Tuition sits at $21,862 net price annually after aid—a relative bargain for a private college. Merit scholarships are the linchpin, with awards up to $25,000 based on GPA (no separate application required). Need-based aidFinancial aid awarded based on your family's ability to pay, as measured by forms like the FAFSA, rather than on achievements. is limited; only 30% of students receive Pell Grants. The school’s "Marlin Cost Calculator" helps families project expenses, but gaps remain: 65% of undergrads take loans. For locals, the coastal setting and small classes justify the cost; out-of-staters often compare it to pricier Northeastern liberal arts options.
Virginia Wesleyan is the anti-snob liberal arts college—a place where B+ students thrive in discussion-heavy classes without cutthroat competition. Its coastal identity shapes everything from marine bio labs to weekend surf trips, while the optional SAT policy and rolling admissions make it unusually accessible for a private school. The trade-offs? Lower graduation rates and modest starting salaries. But for students who want professor attention (no TAs!), beachside dorm life, and a business program that doesn’t require cutthroat internships, it’s a hidden gem.
Virginia Wesleyan University logo · sourceVisit Our Campus | Virginia Wesleyan University · sourceVisit Our Campus | Virginia Wesleyan University · sourceVisit Our Campus | Virginia Wesleyan University · source
