The University for Virginia received high marks in the Princeton Review’s 26^th annual college rankings. In the “The Best 382 Colleges: 2018 Edition,” UVA ranked 12^th on the publication’s list of the top 50 schools that give the highest return for the cost of tuition –up two spots from the previous year.

The Princeton Review regularly recognizes UVA for value and high-quality student experience, and this recent accolade joins high marks from ranking publications across the country. New rankings from Forbes list the University sixth among the top 25 colleges in the South and include it on their list of the top 25 public colleges with the highest-earning graduates.

In 2017, the University was also ranked second on U.S. News & World Report’s list of best public national universities and fifth on its list of best-value public universities. Kiplinger’s Personal Finance ranked UVA second for best public college value and Money Magazine listed the school at No. 7 on its list of the best public colleges in the nation.

The annual Princeton Review rankings are determined by polling more than 130,000 college students nationwide, asking them about topics such as return on their educational investment as well as things like the best college newspapers and libraries. (UVA’s Cavalier Daily and the UVA Library rank 10 and 18, respectively.)

In describing students’ written responses to survey questions about UVA, the review writes, “Academics here are almost universally described as rigorous and challenging, with a particularly tough grading curve in the sciences, but students praise the available resources and academic advising.” 

For life after graduation, UVA’s alumni network was rated as 10^th in the nation – up one spot from last year – and the school ranked eighth among colleges that offer the best return on investment to students who do not qualify for financial aid.

In addition to top placements on the review’s ranked lists, the University also earned a place on unranked lists, including a spot on the list of the best schools in the Southeast. UVA was further recognized among schools that have shown a commitment to green energy.

Overall, student respondents were pleased with UVA’s academic setting as well as the scenery and culture outside the classroom. The review noted many students’ description of the Grounds as “gorgeous” and referred to the charm of its hometown in Charlottesville.

One of the top adjectives to describe UVA students was “involved” and many respondents discussed the broad commitment to community service at the University.

In its summary of life at the University, the review quoted one anonymous respondent as saying, “Students are highly involved in academics, extracurriculars and socially. Your average UVA student is very well-rounded and extremely busy, but enjoys that lifestyle.”