As seniors struggle to finalize their college lists and many schools’ earliest deadlines are rapidly approaching, US News has released their 2022 ranking for American Universities to help them decide. Three Virginia colleges, UVA, William & Mary, and Virginia Tech, secured places in the top 100. 

The University of Virginia was the highest ranked as the 25th best university in the nation, also ranking in the top four public schools in the country. The university has several programs ranked within the top ten of their fields, including business and nursing. UVA has a 23% acceptance rate and 17,311 undergraduate students enroll at the university each year. 

Last year, 116 Dominion seniors applied to UVA with 11 of the 13 accepted students attending there this fall. In 2020, there were 89 students who applied, 25 of which were accepted, with 16 enrollments. 

This year, William and Mary is ranked #38 in the country and second in the state. The university was also awarded the 10th best public university nationwide and the ninth for best undergraduate teaching. William and Mary has a 42% acceptance rate and 6,236 undergraduates. 

From Dominion, 47 students applied in 2021, eight of which were accepted and two of which enrolled. The previous year, W&M accepted nine of 28 applications, with four enrolling.

Ranked third in Virginia and 75th in the country, Virginia Tech is the most popular university for Dominion High School applicants. Tech’s engineering program is 13th in the country, with the industrial division at third and environmental at ninth. Additionally, the university was awarded the 13th best learning community by US News. The university has a 67% acceptance rate and teaches 30,020 undergraduates annually.  

Last year, 183 students applied, 60 were accepted, and 28 attended. The prior year, 141 applications were sent in, resulting in 74 acceptances and 49 enrollments. 

Ranked third in southern regional universities, James Madison University, the 2nd most popular college for Titans to apply to, has an undergraduate enrollment of 19,727 annually and an 80% acceptance rate. This university is ranked nationally, second in public universities, and third for undergraduate teaching and as a most innovative school.

In 2021, 132 Titans applied, 85 were accepted, 35 of which enrolled. The year before, 134 applied, 76 were admitted and 26 attended.

The top college is Princeton, followed by a three-way tie for second with Columbia, Harvard and MIT with Yale University placing fifth.