Academic Index Last updated: June 23, 2026

16 Best Universities in Virginia for Sports

Focusing specifically on Sports, our data science engine identified the 16 most influential universities in Virginia. Based on 647.3K scholarly articles and 19.64M peer-reviewed citations, we reveal the best research labs driving innovation in Sports. This targeted approach bypasses general university reputation, directly revealing the strongest programs.

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Ranking Methodology Notice

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1

Charlottesville

University of Virginia

For Sports

#34 in United States #44 in North America

17% Acceptance

29,640 Enrollment

1475 Avg SAT

1819 Founded

2

Blacksburg

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

For Sports

#77 in United States #91 in North America

55% Acceptance

31,035 Enrollment

1365 Avg SAT

1872 Founded

3

Richmond, VA

Virginia Commonwealth University

For Sports

#83 in United States #97 in North America

93% Acceptance

29,640 Enrollment

1140 Avg SAT

1838 Founded

4

Norfolk, VA

Old Dominion University

For Sports

#144 in United States #168 in North America

90% Acceptance

4,202 Enrollment

1190 Avg SAT

1930 Founded

5

Fairfax

George Mason University

For Sports

#152 in United States #177 in North America

87% Acceptance

6,353 Enrollment

1260 Avg SAT

1957 Founded

6

Arlington, VA

Marymount University

For Sports

#142 in United States #166 in North America

93% Acceptance

29,640 Enrollment

1425 Avg SAT

1950 Founded

7

Harrisonburg

James Madison University

For Sports

#259 in United States #294 in North America

72% Acceptance

7,500 Enrollment

1255 Avg SAT

1908 Founded

8

Richmond, VA

University of Richmond

For Sports

#403 in United States #446 in North America

22% Acceptance

6,885 Enrollment

1470 Avg SAT

1830 Founded

9

Williamsburg, VA

College of William and Mary

For Sports

#323 in United States #361 in North America

34% Acceptance

7,063 Enrollment

1465 Avg SAT

1693 Founded

10

Blacksburg

Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine

For Sports

#402 in United States #445 in North America

10% Acceptance

835 Enrollment

1035 Avg SAT

11

Emory

Emory & Henry College

For Sports

#501 in United States #549 in North America

84% Acceptance

5,382 Enrollment

1137 Avg SAT

1836 Founded

12

Lynchburg

University of Lynchburg

For Sports

#471 in United States #518 in North America

43% Acceptance

7,500 Enrollment

1105 Avg SAT

1903 Founded

13

Winchester, VA

Shenandoah University

For Sports

#388 in United States #431 in North America

77% Acceptance

2,641 Enrollment

1108 Avg SAT

1875 Founded

14

Radford

Radford University

For Sports

#415 in United States #459 in North America

90% Acceptance

6,161 Enrollment

1050 Avg SAT

1910 Founded

15

Lynchburg

Liberty University

For Sports

#541 in United States #590 in North America

99% Acceptance

52,961 Enrollment

1190 Avg SAT

1971 Founded

16

Norfolk, VA

Eastern Virginia Medical School

For Sports

#204 in United States #235 in North America

9% Acceptance

2,220 Enrollment

1245 Avg SAT

1973 Founded