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Virginia universities make the grade in new US rankings report

November 13, 2020

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Virginia is known for its quality higher education. With the state’s half-million college students within 150 miles of Greater Richmond, the extensive pipeline of college-educated talent is one large reason why Amazon selected the Commonwealth for its prized HQ2 operation. U.S. News and World Report just released its rankings and the Greater Richmond-area schools were prominent in many categories. The report is produced annually and exemplifies schools that are excelling around the country.

The rankings also show that Virginia is home to some of the top HBCU’s in the country. Hampton University (5), Norfolk State University (20), Virginia State (24), and Virginia Union (55) are all considered top HBCU schools and appear frequently on many of the lists.

Perhaps the most recurrent school in the report, the University of Virginia, is listed in the top 50 in seven categories. Specifically, they rank as the fourth Top Overall Public College. The College of William & Mary (11) and Old Dominion University (126) were also highlighted as top public schools.

For the rankings of best value schools, the University of Richmond (25), University of Virginia (32), Christopher Newport University (50) and Randolph-Macon College (67) all were credited for offering a low-cost option relative to the quality of education provided.

A remarkable trend in the report is the amount of Virginia schools on the list for social mobility. This means that these institutions are amongst the best at graduating economically-disadvantaged students. Ten schools, including Virginia Union University (23), Norfolk State University (23), Virginia State (41), Hampton University (52), Randolph-Macon College (120), Christopher Newport University (127), Old Dominion University (129), University of Richmond (133), University of Virginia (318) and the College of William & Mary (340), were among the top performers in the category.

Christopher Newport University (4), the University of Richmond (18) and University of Virginia (68) ranked well on the list of Most Innovative Schools. The criteria for this list consist of improvements in curriculum, faculty, campus life, students, technologies or facilities.

Virginia was recently ranked as the Best state for Military Retirees and two colleges provides good reason: The University Virginia continued its trend of accolades as ranking 10^th best college for veterans with the College of William & Mary (18) not far behind them.

With the strength of Virginia’s universities, and the ease of graduate recruitment, Greater Richmond provides any company with a wide pipeline of talent.