Facts and Rankings

The University of Richmond provides a collaborative learning and research environment unlike any other in higher education, offering students an extraordinary combination of the liberal arts with law, business, leadership studies, and continuing education. 

It is characterized by a distinctly integrated student experience—a rich and innovative life for students inside and outside the classroom—and a welcoming spirit that prizes diversity of experience and thought. It is rooted in a determination to engage as a meaningful part of our community and our world. It is committed to ensuring its opportunities are accessible to talented students of all backgrounds.

• Private, highly selective, liberal arts university founded in 1830
• 350-acre suburban campus located six miles from downtown Richmond and 90 miles from Washington, D.C.
• Five schools offering undergraduate, master’s, and law degrees: School of Arts and Sciences, Robins School of Business, Jepson School of Leadership Studies, University of Richmond School of Law, School of Professional and Continuing Studies
• Ranked No. 12 nationally among undergraduate business programs by Bloomberg Businessweek and No. 27 on the list of best liberal arts colleges in the nation by U.S. News & World Report
• Named a “Best Value” college by U.S. News & World Report, SmartMoney, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, and USA Today-Princeton Review

• Nearly 60 undergraduate majors
• 379 full-time faculty
• 8:1 student-faculty ratio (undergraduate)
• Average undergraduate class size of 16 students
• Zero classes taught by teaching assistants
• Since 2005, Richmond students have been recipients of the Rhodes, Marshall, Goldwater, Clarendon, Truman, and Fulbright scholarships, among many others

• Recognized by Newsweek in 2007 as the “Hottest School in America” for international studies
• Offering 75 study-abroad programs in more than 30 countries
• 60% of the Class of 2010 studied abroad
• Carole Weinstein International Center opened in fall 2010

• Selected by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching for its classification recognizing colleges and universities “that support dynamic and noteworthy community engagement.”
• Named to the 2009 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll
• University of Richmond Downtown houses major community engagement programs in the heart of the city
• Bonner Center for Civic Engagement on campus provides coordinated access to community-based volunteer internship and coursework opportunities

• 9,431 applications, 33% acceptance rate
• Top five admissions competitors: University of Virginia, William & Mary, Boston College, Wake Forest, and Georgetown
• 788 freshmen: 57% from public high schools; 16% first-generation college students; 21% U.S. students of color; and 85% ranked in top 20% of high school class.

• 4,405 total university enrollment
• 3,048 undergraduates from 45 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and 67 countries
• 20% of undergraduates come from Virginia
• 18% of undergraduates are American students of color
• 9% of undergraduates are international students
• 91% of undergraduates live on campus
• 247 student organizations including 37 club sports, 28 honorary societies (including Phi Beta Kappa), 14 religious groups, 16 fraternities and sororities, a student newspaper, and a radio station

• 2008 NCAA Division I National Football Champions
• Men’s Basketball earned a bid to the NCAA Tournament in 2010 and finished the 2009–10 season ranked No. 24 in the nation. In 2010-11, men's basketball won the Atlantic 10 Conference championship and made it to the NCAA "Sweet Sixteen."
• New on-campus stadium opened in fall 2010
• Division I athletic program offering 19 varsity sports
• Major conference affiliation is the Atlantic 10 in most sports; Colonial Athletic Association in football and women’s golf
• School mascot: the Spiders

• Visit the Controller's Office for information on tuition, room and board

• Richmond is need-blind in admission and meets 100% of demonstrated need
• $64 million in institutional grants awarded to 69% of students
• Average need-based award: $38,700
• Virginians with family income under $40,000 receive full scholarships

Financial aid also is available for students in law, graduate business, and continuing studies.

• Approximately 45,000 alumni residing in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and more than 60 countries
• 42 alumni chapters across the country

• No. 27 among the nation's “Best Liberal Arts Colleges”
• No. 9 "best value" among national liberal arts colleges
• No. 3 on the list of "up-and-comers” for national liberal arts colleges that have the most promising and innovative programs 
• No. 24 on the list of guidance counselors' picks
• A "program to look for" for undergraduate research/creative projects

• No. 12 on the list of "Best Values in Private Universities"

• Ranked second best among “liberal arts schools that pay off”

• Among the nation's "50 Best Value Private Colleges"

• Robins School of Business: Ranked No. 15 nationally
• MBA part-time program: Ranked No. 18 nationally
• Robins School of Business ranked No. 3 for academic quality, No. 5 for student satisfaction, and No. 15 for students going on to MBA studies

• Named Richmond No. 6 for Financial Aid, No. 10 for Best Career Services, No. 12 for Best Classroom Experience, No. 14 for Best Campus Food, and No. 14 for Most Beautiful Campus in its 2012 edition of “The Best 376 Colleges”
• Robins School of Business: Named in "The Best 294 Business Schools," MBA program ranked No. 10 on "Best Professors" list
• School of Law named one of "The Best 167 Law Schools"

• Selected Richmond for its 2012 edition of the 300 “best and most interesting colleges in the United States, Canada and Great Britain."
• Robins School of Business named among “Ten Business Schools that Should Be on Your Radar”

• One of the "25 Hottest Schools in America," hottest school for international studies

• Named to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll

• "Students are thrilled with their choice to attend Richmond, which is evident in the high level of enthusiasm and involvement in the school community."