University News

Forbes Names UVA One of America’s Best Large Employers

By McGregor McCance, cmm9vg@virginia.edu

February 16, 2024

The Lawn side of the Rotunda on a sunny winter day

UVA received another accolade when a national publication named it as one of the nation’s best large employers. Forbes ranked the Academic Division 73rd out of 600 employers with more than 5,000 employees. UVA Health was ranked 117th. (Photo by Dan Addison, University Communications)

The University of Virginia is one of America’s best large employers, according to a new Forbes magazine ranking of the nation’s top places to work.

The University landed in the No. 73 spot among 600 top-ranked U.S. employers with more than 5,000 employees, and UVA Health ranked No. 117 overall. UVA is the highest-ranked Virginia college or university on the list.

“UVA has a global reputation for its academics, patient care and research. It’s incredibly gratifying, humbling and exciting for the University to also earn recognition as an excellent place to work and build a career,” Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Jennifer “J.J.” Wagner Davis said.

More than 170,000 employees at companies and organizations with at least 1,000 employees were surveyed and results were broken down based on the number of workers. UVA in total employs some 30,000 people across its Academic Division in Charlottesville, UVA Health, UVA Physicians Group and the College at Wise.

Survey respondents were asked their opinions on their current employers and if they would recommend working there to others. They also were provided an opportunity to name other employers viewed as quality places to work and to respond to a random list of companies in their industry.

“Employees are attracted to workplaces that offer competitive pay, good benefits, opportunities for growth, and environments that enable them to thrive at work and away from work,” Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer John Kosky said. “Just as important, employees are looking for professional workplaces with colleagues who are good to work with. I’m proud of UVA’s reputation as one of those places.”

The top large employer on the Forbes list is pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk, whose U.S. operations are based in New Jersey and which employs some 55,000. The highest-ranked employer in the higher education category is the University of Notre Dame at No. 20.

In an August survey, Forbes ranked UVA as one of the best places to work in the state and among the best employers for women in the nation.