UVA named top-three public university, top-25 overall by US News and World Report

For the 27th straight year, the University of Virginia was named a top-three public institution in US News and World Report’s annual rankings.

UVA came in third behind the University of California-Berkeley and the University of California-Los Angeles, which tied for 21st overall. This is UCLA’s first time as ‘the top public university in the country’ and the third school to hold the title (UVA and UC Berkeley are the others). Overall, Virginia came in 25th in a tie with Carnegie Mellon University. The Hoos beat out the University of Michigan and ACC rival North Carolina Chapel Hill, which rounded out the top-five for 2018.

According to US News and World Report, the rankings serve to “...allow you to compare at a glance the relative quality of U.S. institutions based on such widely accepted indicators of excellence as first-year student retention and graduation rates and the strength of the faculty.”

Fellow ACC schools Duke (#9) and Notre Dame (#18) come in ahead of Virginia, with Princeton University taking the coveted top spot on this year’s list.

University President Teresa Sullivan commented on Virginia’s consistent success, saying:

“Year after year, UVA consistently holds its position among the very best public universities in the nation. This consistency and durability over many years results from the hard work and accomplishments of our faculty, staff, students and alumni, and I hope it will remind prospective students and their families that UVA remains one of the top universities for an excellent, affordable education.”

Virginia’s score improved a point from last year, most likely due to, “...gains in its graduation rate, selectivity, alumni giving and average alumni giving. The University also excelled in reputational rankings among peers and high school guidance counselors, its first-year retention and six-year graduation rates.”

This year mark’s the University’s bicentennial, and the school will kick off the celebration October 5-7 with guest speakers, commemorations, and, of course, the Virginia - Duke football game.

With 27 straight top-three finishes in the US News and World Report rankings and 11 straight top-20 finishes in the Learfield Director’s Cup rankings, the Hoos are one of the most prestigious institutions in the country - both academically and athletically.