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.