Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
University of Richmond, Virginia
23.3% Acceptance Rate
University of Richmond — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
23.3%Acceptance Rate
3.71Avg GPA
1474Avg SAT
33Avg ACT
$77,290Annual Cost
$76,178Grad Salary
17.6%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
23.3%
Avg GPA
3.71
Avg SAT
1474
Avg ACT
33
Selectivity
Highly Competitive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
1410–1530
ACT Middle 50%
32–34
Need-Based Aid
17.6% receive Pell
The University of Richmond, founded in 1830, is a prestigious private liberal arts university in Virginia known for its beautiful campus and strong undergraduate focus. Richmond's distinctive coordinate college system maintains separate deans for men (Richmond College) and women (Westhampton College) while offering coeducational academics. The university excels in business, leadership studies, and the arts, with state-of-the-art facilities like the Queally Center for Admissions and Career Services.
Richmond's 350-acre campus features a lake, historic architecture, and modern academic buildings. The university's Jepson School of Leadership Studies was the first of its kind in the nation. Richmond's NCAA Division I athletics and 200+ student organizations create a vibrant campus life. Alumni include governors, CEOs, and leaders in diverse fields who credit Richmond with developing their critical thinking and communication skills.
University of Richmond Acceptance Rate
The acceptance rate at University of Richmond is 23.3%, which puts it squarely in the 'reach for most, match for the well-prepared' category.
What UR Admissions Looks For
- Consistent Academics: A steady record of A-level performance across core subjects is expected.
- Score Validation: A strong SAT or ACT score can offset a minor GPA dip.
- Sustained Involvement: Depth in 2–3 activities reads better than breadth across ten.
Selectivity at a Glance
Highly Competitive
Selectivity scale: Highly Competitive — 23.3% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
UR reviews the whole profile, not just grades. A well-crafted personal statement genuinely moves the needle here.
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.71 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.51 – 3.70
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.26
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
University of Richmond Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The application deadline for University of Richmond is November 1 for Early Decision I applicants, with additional plans listed below. Admission decisions are typically released by December 15.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 88 days left — Early Decision I
Early Decision I
November 1
Decision by: December 15
Early Decision II
January 1
Decision by: February 15
Regular Decision
January 1
Decision by: April 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (December 1, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
UR GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at UR is 3.71. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.41 and 3.71? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently. For an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.91–4.11.UR GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Highly selective; GPA is within the typical admitted range.
Recommended Strategy: Standardized Test Scores (SAT/ACT) in the top 5th percentile.
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.71 – 4.00
Competitive Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.51 – 3.70
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.31 – 3.50
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.30
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Overall acceptance rate is roughly 24%.
- Early Decision applicants historically experience significantly higher admit rates than Regular Decision applicants.
- Approximately 45% of the incoming class is filled through Early Decision plans.
- Early Action is non-binding and historically performs better than Regular Decision but not as strongly as Early Decision.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at UR
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on University of Richmond's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
University of Richmond (UR) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if UR is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into UR Without SAT or ACT?
UR considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
University of Richmond Average SAT Score: 1474
The average SAT score of admitted students at University of Richmond is 1474 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1474 — Very Competitive
A 1474 average puts UR well above the national mean SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1530 SAT or 34 ACT) to stand out. Below average? University of Richmond allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 1410, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at UR. Retaking multiple times is completely normal. Most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 750 | 720 | 780 |
| SAT Reading | 720 | 690 | 750 |
| SAT Composite | 1474 | 1410 | 1530 |
Below 1410, you're behind most admitted students; at 1530 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1450
Can I get into University of Richmond (UR) with a 1550 SAT?
A 1550 SAT puts you ahead of most of UR's admitted class, but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
University of Richmond (UR) ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at UR is 33.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 33 — Very Competitive
An average of 33 is well above the national ACT mean.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 33 | 32 | 34 |
| ACT Composite | 33 | 32 | 34 |
Can I get into University of Richmond with a 34 ACT?
A 34 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of UR's admitted students. That's a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several that admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science, each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section, especially Science at STEM-focused schools, stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at UR.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for UR
Selective Strategy: Competitive Positioning
UR rewards consistency. Being a top-quartile applicant here doesn't just help admission odds. It's usually what unlocks the strongest scholarship offers too.
Use Early Decision If Richmond Is Truly First Choice
Richmond explicitly states that Early Decision applicants receive an admissions advantage, and ED students make up a substantial portion of the incoming class. If Richmond is genuinely your top choice and the financial fit is clear, ED can be one of the strongest strategic moves available.
Compete for Richmond Scholars Before You Think About Admission Odds
Many applicants focus solely on acceptance, but Richmond's highly competitive Richmond Scholars program can dramatically change the value proposition. Submit all materials by the scholarship deadlines and present evidence of intellectual engagement, leadership, and impact rather than simply academic achievement.
Show Why Richmond's Hybrid Model Fits You
Richmond combines liberal arts strengths with strong business, leadership, and research opportunities. Successful applicants often articulate how they will bridge multiple academic interests instead of presenting a narrow academic identity.
Leverage the Spider Community Narrative
Richmond emphasizes close faculty interaction, mentorship, and undergraduate opportunities. Use essays and activities to demonstrate how you actively seek mentorship and collaborative learning environments rather than large, anonymous campus settings.
Expert Insight: Many applicants underestimate the difference between Early Action and Early Decision. EA provides earlier notification, but the meaningful admission advantage historically exists in the smaller ED pool.
UR Profile
Full Name
University of Richmond (UR)
City
University of Richmond
State
Virginia
ZIP Code
23173
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a UR Degree Worth It?
Whether UR is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals. Here's the data to weigh it against.
The average household income among admitted students is $83,700, with a graduate unemployment rate of 2.54%.
How much does a degree from UR Cost?
The sticker price is $77,290/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is typically much lower.
17.6% of students receive a Pell Grant and 33.4% take federal loans at UR. File your FAFSA early and list UR as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a UR Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $76,178. That's about 88% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than University of Richmond. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Occidental College | Los Angeles, CA | 1461 | 33 |
| Colorado College | Colorado Springs, CO | 1445 | 33 |
| George Washington University | Washington, DC | 1433 | 33 |
| Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus | Atlanta, GA | 1447 | 31 |
| Tulane University of Louisiana | New Orleans, LA | 1443 | 32 |
| Bates College | Lewiston, ME | 1446 | 32 |
| University of Maryland-College Park | College Park, MD | 1463 | 34 |
| Babson College | Wellesley, MA | 1435 | 32 |
| Hillsdale College | Hillsdale, MI | 1433 | 32 |
| Macalester College | Saint Paul, MN | 1424 | 32 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as University of Richmond. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northeastern University Oakland | Oakland, CA | 1472 | 32 |
| Scripps College | Claremont, CA | 1480 | 33 |
| Boston University | Boston, MA | 1473 | 33 |
| Brandeis University | Waltham, MA | 1473 | 33 |
| Smith College | Northampton, MA | 1480 | 33 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than University of Richmond. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Claremont McKenna College | Claremont, CA | 1514 | 34 |
| Harvey Mudd College | Claremont, CA | 1537 | 35 |
| Pomona College | Claremont, CA | 1520 | 34 |
| Wesleyan University | Middletown, CT | 1513 | 34 |
| Yale University | New Haven, CT | 1534 | 34 |
Degree Programs at UR
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About UR Admissions
Median graduate earnings at University of Richmond run about $76,178 a year.
At about $77,290 a year, University of Richmond's cost is on the higher end; look closely at aid options.
University of Richmond's Pell Grant rate of 17.6% sits below the national average. Merit-based aid is worth checking regardless of income.
At 23.3%, University of Richmond's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at University of Richmond average a 3.71 GPA.
University of Richmond doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.41 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.31, University of Richmond becomes a harder reach, though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at University of Richmond — aim above 1474, ideally within the 1410–1530 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for University of Richmond is November 1 for Early Decision I applicants. Admission decisions are released by December 15.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is December 1, 2026. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes, transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most, along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
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