University of Richmond
#2 Best Business Colleges in Virginia- Graduation Rate
- 86% A
- Most students who enroll finish their degree here
- Earnings (10yr)
- $76,178 A
- Top 5% nationally — exceptional earning power
- Net Price
- $31,309 F
- 83% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 22% A
- Admits roughly 22% — highly selective
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 13.9× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $13.9 over 20 years. Ranked #2 in Best Business Colleges in Virginia.
Every $1 spent returns $13.9 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,613,402.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduates earn 87% more than the national college median.
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A 86% graduation rate — 51% above the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $13.9 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Economic Footprint
- Inventor Rate
- 0.4%
- Top 55%
- Patents
- 16
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 0
- Downstream influence
Why University of Richmond Matters
University of Richmond is a private liberal arts college in University of Richmond, VA and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by selective admissions and a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduates whose earnings land in the top 5% of all U.S. colleges.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private Liberal Arts College
- Carnegie Class
- Baccalaureate · Arts & Sciences
- Enrollment
- 2,980
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical, Social Sciences, Psychology
Why students choose University of Richmond
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Selective — admits about 22% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1410–1530. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $31,309 a year after grants and scholarships — 83% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $76,178 ten years after enrolling — 87% above the typical college, against $21,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 0.6% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 93% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.82 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of just 22%, the University of Richmond attracts students who are serious about their education and ready to engage deeply with their studies. This private nonprofit school is a great fit for those drawn to strong programs in Business and Marketing, Biology and Biomedical fields, Social Sciences, Computer Science and IT, and Health Professions. The emphasis on a tight-knit campus community allows for meaningful interactions with faculty and peers, enhancing the overall learning experience.
After graduation, students can expect solid earning potential, with a median income of $76,178 a decade after leaving campus. This is a significant figure that highlights the value of the education received here. The school's affordability is also noteworthy, especially considering that only 17% of students receive Pell grants, indicating a mix of socioeconomic backgrounds. While we don’t have mobility rates, the strong graduation rate of 86% suggests that many students successfully complete their degrees and enter the workforce prepared.
When it comes to the practicalities of attending Richmond, the net price after aid sits around $31,309, which can feel manageable compared to the potential earnings. The median debt for graduates is $21,000, a number that many can handle comfortably in the long run. Students who thrive here tend to be those who appreciate a well-rounded liberal arts education and are motivated to make the most of their opportunities, both academically and socially.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective University of Richmond is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of Richmond? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in University of Richmond, Virginia, University of Richmond sets a competitive bar: about 22% of applicants get an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,497. The graduation rate is roughly 86%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 22%
- Retention Rate
- 91%
- SAT Average
- 1497
- SAT Range
- 1410–1530
- ACT Range
- 33–35
- Full-Time Faculty
- 74%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $14,442
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 8:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.59
- First-Gen Students
- 12%
- Applicants
- 14,364
- Admitted
- 3,501
Inside the Admissions Office
School-reported Common Data Set · 2024-25
The acceptance rate tells you how hard University of Richmond is to get into. Its Common Data Set tells you what happens once you are admitted: how many students say yes, how many arrived without test scores, and whether applying early tilts the odds. 13% of admitted students go on to enroll here, making it a school most admitted students ultimately pass on.
- Yield Rate
- 13%
- of admits enroll
- Submitted SAT
- 19%
- of enrolled freshmen
- Submitted ACT
- 14%
- of enrolled freshmen
- Early Decision Admit Rate
- 33.8%
- vs 24.3% overall
Applying early pays off here. Of 1,175 Early Decision applicants, 397 were admitted — a 33.8% admit rate, roughly 1.4× the 24.3% rate for the overall pool. That binding round alone filled about 47% of the entering class (397 of 841 first-years). The catch: Early Decision is a commitment you make before you can compare aid offers.
Test-optional, in practice. Only about 33% of enrolled freshmen submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive here, not a long shot.
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of Richmond? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Richmond is $65,230, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $31,309. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $12,808 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $65,230
- Out-of-State
- $65,230
- Avg Net Price
- $31,309
- Median Debt
- $21,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 17%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 32%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $12,808
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $6,507
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $15,553
- Family Income $110K+
- $49,892
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at University of Richmond — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is University of Richmond Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Richmond earn a median of $76,178, well above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $67,927
- 8 Years
- $73,948
- 10 Years
- $76,178
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.28x
- Earning > $25K
- 81%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (670)
- 82%
- 100% (670)
- 82%
- 100% (670)
- 82%
- 100% (670)
- 82%
How University Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is University of Richmond Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, University of Richmond delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $31,309/year ($125,236 total). Graduates earn $76,178 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,738,638 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,613,402 (13.9× your investment). The median debt is $21,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 86% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $125,236
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,738,638
- Net Return
- $1,613,402
- ROI Multiple
- 13.9×
- Cost Per Year
- $31,309
- Median Debt
- $21,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 86%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does University of Richmond Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
University of Richmond is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.64%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is narrower: only about 1.7% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 37% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $180,600, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.64%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 37.0%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 1.7%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $245,372
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
University of Richmond produces inventors at a measurable rate, with 16 patents tied to its graduates.
- Inventor Rate
- 0.39%
- Top 55% nationally
- Patents Produced
- 16
- Linked to graduates
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-114,776,000
Top Programs
The fields University of Richmond awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 40% $78,842 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 9% $40,390 early-career
- Social Sciences 9% $78,208 early-career
- Psychology 5% $47,862 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 4% $88,113 early-career
- English & Literature 4% $37,831 early-career
- Health Professions 3% $45,495 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 3%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for University of Richmond's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of Richmond? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in University of Richmond, Virginia, University of Richmond sets a competitive bar: about 22% of applicants get an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,497. The graduation rate is roughly 86%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of Richmond? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Richmond is $65,230, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $31,309. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $12,808 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,000 in federal student loans.
Is University of Richmond Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Richmond earn a median of $76,178, well above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.
Does University of Richmond Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
University of Richmond is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.64%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is narrower: only about 1.7% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 37% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $180,600, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is University of Richmond? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of Richmond. Its economic connectedness score is 1.82, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Does University of Richmond offer Early Decision, and does it improve admission chances?
Yes. University of Richmond offers a binding Early Decision plan, and it carries a real advantage: Early Decision applicants were admitted at 34%, about 1.4 times the overall 24% acceptance rate, and ED filled roughly 47% of the entering class. Because ED is binding, it makes sense only if University of Richmond is a clear first choice and you can commit before comparing aid offers (2024-25 Common Data Set).
Is University of Richmond really test-optional?
In practice, yes. Only about 33% of enrolled first-year students submitted an SAT or ACT score, so a strong application without test scores is genuinely competitive at University of Richmond (2024-25 Common Data Set).
What percentage of admitted students enroll at University of Richmond?
About 13% of admitted students choose to enroll at University of Richmond — its yield rate (2024-25 Common Data Set). Yield reflects how often a school wins when applicants weigh competing offers.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to University of Richmond.
- Wesleyan UniversityMiddletown, CT · Close peer92% grad $73,897 earn 16% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Wake Forest UniversityWinston-Salem, NC · Close peer90% grad $78,158 earn 22% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Middlebury CollegeMiddlebury, VT · Close peer92% grad $76,310 earn 11% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Colgate UniversityHamilton, NY · Close peer91% grad $85,139 earn 14% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar net price
- Citadel Military College of South CarolinaCharleston, SC · Close peer74% grad $72,085 earn 23% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- Carleton CollegeNorthfield, MN · Close peer90% grad $75,525 earn 20% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is University of Richmond? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of Richmond. Its economic connectedness score is 1.82, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note