
The University of Virginia (UVA) is a public institution founded in 1819 by Thomas Jefferson, who wanted to create a university on the most extensive and liberal scale that our circumstances would call for and our faculties meet. It has since grown to a student body of around 17,000 undergraduates and 8,000 graduate students, with a campus size of 1,600 acres. UVA offers 73 majors and minors, with economics, psychology, and biology among the most popular. The university is known for its rigorous academics and rewarding student life, including a variety of clubs, activities, and leadership opportunities such as fraternities and sororities, as well as community service groups.
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What You'll Learn

University of Virginia total student population
The University of Virginia (UVA) is a public institution founded in 1819 and located in Charlottesville on around 1,600 acres of land. The University Library System consists of a dozen libraries and holds over 5 million volumes. Its Electronic Text Center, established in 1992, has put 70,000 books and 350,000 images online. The University of Virginia had a total undergraduate enrollment of 17,618 in Fall 2023. The student population is a mix of 17,000 undergraduate and 8,000 graduate students. The University of Virginia has a diverse student body, with members of 10 Native Nations and citizens of 88 countries, in addition to the United States, represented in the Class of 2026.
The University of Virginia offers a range of academic programs and is known for its rigorous and challenging academics. The University's athletic teams are called the Cavaliers (or 'Hoos) and compete in NCAA Division I. The University has a notable alumni network, with thirty governors of U.S. states, numerous U.S. senators, and members of Congress having attended. UVA students and alumni have also founded successful companies such as Reddit, Skillshare, VMware, and Space Adventures.
Student life at the University of Virginia is vibrant and engaging. There are numerous student-run organizations on campus, including community service groups such as 'Hoos Against Hunger, which donates food to homeless individuals. Greek life is active at UVA, with about 31% of men in fraternities and 31% of women in sororities. The University also has a rich tradition of debating societies, with the Jefferson Literary and Debating Society being the second oldest Greek organization in the country.
The University of Virginia has a unique culture shaped by Thomas Jefferson's influence, with each grade of students referred to as first, second, third, and fourth years to emphasize that learning is a lifelong process. The campus is known for its beauty, and students praise the supportive community and dedicated professors. The University's ranking in the 2025 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, #24.
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Undergraduate vs graduate student numbers
The University of Virginia (UVA) is a public institution founded in 1819 and located in Charlottesville on around 1,600 acres of land. UVA offers 73 majors and minors, with the most popular being economics, psychology, business/commerce, biology/biological studies, and international relations and affairs. The university's student population includes approximately 17,000 undergraduates and 8,000 graduate students, with a total undergraduate enrollment of 17,618 as of Fall 2023.
UVA has a rich history and is known for its rigorous academics and vibrant student life. The university's athletic teams are called the Cavaliers ('Hoos), and they compete in the NCAA Division I Atlantic Coast Conference. UVA also has a strong presence of student-run organizations and societies, with about 31% of men in fraternities and 31% of women in sororities. The Jefferson Literary and Debating Society, established in 1825, is the second oldest Greek organization in the country.
The university promotes leadership opportunities for its students, including secret societies, debating societies, and student-run honor committees. The Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy, established in 2007, offers unique leadership programs. UVA's library system consists of a dozen libraries, holding over 5 million volumes, with a wide range of special collections.
UVA has produced notable alumni, including thirty governors of U.S. states, senators, and members of Congress. UVA students and alumni have also founded successful companies such as Reddit, Skillshare, VMware, and Space Adventures. The university received the 2015 Paul Simon Award for Comprehensive Internationalization, recognizing its commitment to educating students globally and nationally.
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Student life and activities
The University of Virginia (UVA) has a rich campus life and a strong community vibe despite its large size. UVA prides itself on its strong spirit of student self-governance and its commitment to the cultivation of leaders. Student satisfaction surveys often indicate that students are happy and enjoy their time at UVA.
UVA has over 800 student organizations, so students can find something that fits their interests, be it related to academics, culture, sports, community service, or leadership. The social scene is diverse as a result of such a broad array of club offerings. Some people are heavily involved in Greek life, with roughly a third of undergraduates involved in fraternities or sororities. However, participation is not a necessity to have an active social life. Other popular social events include athletic games, club activities, and occasional concerts and performances held on campus.
The University also has numerous cherished traditions, such as the Lighting of the Lawn in December, where students, faculty, and staff come together to celebrate the holiday season, and the “Good Old Song” cheer at UVA sports events.
With thousands of events hosted by student organizations and university offices, there is always something for students to do. These events are a great way to step into a new social network, develop skills, or simply have fun with friends.
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Student enrolment and admissions
The University of Virginia (UVA) is a public institution founded in 1819. It has a total undergraduate enrolment of 17,618 as of Fall 2023 and a campus size of 1,682 acres. UVA caters to roughly 17,000 undergraduate and 8,000 graduate students. The university aims to maintain a 2/3 majority of Virginians in its student population but does not have quotas for specific high schools, towns, counties, or regions.
UVA offers 73 majors and minors, with the most popular being economics, psychology, business/commerce, biology/biological studies, and international relations and affairs. The university has a strong focus on student leadership, with opportunities such as secret societies, debating societies, student-run honour committees, and the chance to be recognised as a fourth-year student leader. The Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy, established in 2007, offers unique leadership development opportunities.
UVA has a diverse student body, with the Class of 2026 including members of 10 Native Nations, citizens of 88 countries, and speakers of 63 first languages. The university also has a rich social life, with a variety of student-run organisations, fraternities, and sororities. Greek life is active, with about 31% of men in fraternities and 31% of women in sororities. Social life was originally dominated by debating societies, and the Jefferson Literary and Debating Society, established in 1825, is the second oldest Greek organisation in the country.
UVA's student-run organisations are governed by the Student Council (StudCo), and many students participate in community service. Groups offer services like tutoring and housing improvement, and some, such as 'Hoos Against Hunger, donate food to homeless individuals. The university also sends many graduates into the Peace Corps. Students can also get involved in publications such as The Declaration and The Cavalier Daily. UVA students are dedicated to fitness, with more than 94% utilising one of the four indoor athletic facilities. The university's athletic teams are called the Cavaliers (or 'Hoos) and compete in NCAA Division I.
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Student diversity and representation
The University of Virginia (UVA) is a public institution founded in 1819 with a current total undergraduate enrollment of around 17,618 students for the fall of 2023. The campus size spans 1,682 acres. The total enrollment is approximately 25,628 students, including 16,319 undergraduates and 6,532 graduates. The undergraduate population comprises 56% women and 44% men, while graduate students are 48% women and 52% men. UVA aims to maintain a 2/3 majority of Virginians in its student population.
UVA strives to foster an inclusive environment that celebrates diverse backgrounds and perspectives. The institution values diversity, equity, and inclusion and engages students with multiple viewpoints to prepare them for a complex global society. UVA promotes active dialogue and relationships between various faith backgrounds, with dedicated spaces for religious communities, LGBTQ+ individuals, and cultural groups. The university also acknowledges its historical connection to enslaved Black laborers, reflecting on injustices committed against native communities and enslaved peoples.
UVA's Multicultural Student Services offer five centers: Multicultural, LGBTQ, Latinx, Asian American, and Interfaith. These centers provide welcoming spaces, dedicated staff, resources, and initiatives to support students from various backgrounds, celebrate their identities, and foster a sense of community. The university also houses a Veteran Student Center, established in 2021, which serves as a meeting point for veteran and military-affiliated students to connect and share their unique experiences.
The Student Disability Access Center ensures full participation in campus life for students with disabilities by providing academic accommodations, support services, and advocacy. Additionally, UVA offers support for students facing financial challenges, providing free access to healthy food and hygiene products through food pantries. The university encourages a diverse and inclusive culture through programming and events, fostering a community that embraces a wide range of ideas and approaches.
UVA demonstrates a commitment to diversity and inclusion through its policies, initiatives, programming, and funding opportunities. The institution seeks to expand diversity through recruitment, retention, teaching, research, and service, aiming to create an equitable and welcoming environment for all its students.
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Frequently asked questions
The University of Virginia (UVA) caters to roughly 17,000 undergraduate and 8,000 graduate students. More specifically, in Fall 2023, there was a total undergraduate enrollment of 17,618.
There are 754 transfer students in the class of 2026, who typically enter as second- or third-years.
First-year students in the class of 2026 spoke 63 first languages.











































