Buy our guides
Read our blog
Login Register

University of Virginia
- Diversity

RT
Currently attending or alumni?
Review this school!
Are you interested
in this school?
Yes, let this school know
Maybe, bookmark for later
No, get better matches
Saving your decision
Yes
Maybe
No

Your information has been sent to this school through our partnership with .

This school has been saved to your schools list.

This school has been removed from your recommended schools list.

For your next recommendation, check out .

Jump to a section:

Grade
Quick Stats
Student Author Overview
Student Reviews
Student Polls
Facts
Take A SurveyWrite A ReviewUpload A PhotoLink Up A VideoWrite The Guide
University of Virginia - Diversity - College ProwlerCollege Prowler3.46

Diversity

B
Where does this grade come from?View all Diversity rankingsReview this school to add your opinion

Comparable Schools' Diversity Grades:

Quick Stats

African American 8%
Asian American 10%
Hispanic 4%
International 5%
Native American 0%
White 63%
Unknown 10%
Historically Black College/University? No
Tribal College? No
Out-of-State Students 31%
Common States of Residence
  • Foreign countries
  • Maryland
  • New Jersey
  • New York
  • Pennsylvania
Student Age Breakdown Under 18: 1%
18-19: 29%
20-21: 34%
22-24: 15%
25+: 21%
Female Faculty 32%
Male Faculty 68%
Faculty Diversity African American: 4%
Asian American: 8%
Hispanic: 2%
International: 3%
Native American: 0%
White: 83%
Unknown: 0%

Student Author OverviewWhat's This?

Student opinion varies a great deal on diversity issues. Some believe that diversity at UVA is good and getting better, while others see the University as primarily a school for rich white kids. Much of this depends on personal experience. Many students have encountered self-segregation among the various campus groups and feel this is one of the biggest barriers to a functioning diversity. The best way to experience diversity at Virginia is to seek it out for yourself—there are many different people at the school, once you get past social cliques. Now that the old stereotypes of first year dorms have been eradicated, there is really a chance for all students to intermingle successfully.

Overall, UVA could do better with diversity, but at least the administration recognizes this and is trying to promote a new look for the school. Tolerance and political involvement are getting better, and despite the self-segregation, there are still days when you’ll be surprised at how many languages you hear spoken or the mix of different students you see studying together in the library or partying on the Corner at Baja Bean or No. 3. Online organizations like Sustained Dialogue are taking steps to promote a more fully united campus community with parties like "Mix It Up" and open forums for discussion of issues of diversity on campus.

See how you stack up against students who were accepted to this school . . .And calculate your chances!Register to get started

Virginia Student ReviewsWhat's This?

Sort by:

Loading...

Diversity at University of Virginia

cavgirl

'13

History

3.8
B+

Ethnic and Racial Diversity

This university is really diverse. Although the majority or 60% of students are white, there are many international students or those that come from diverse ethnic backgrounds. While this diversity is great, many times students between the different races and ethnicities do not interact that much.

Feb 05, 2012

Comment actions: Rate
Report as inappropriate/inaccurate

Diversity at University of Virginia

volsain

'12

Biology

3.1
B-

Economic Background

Most of the student body comes from affluent households. These students don't endure many hardships from their past due to their backgrounds, giving them an easier track to the University of Virginia. Though there are students who come from moderate to low income households, it's easy to be left out of the loop.

Jan 10, 2012

Comment actions: Rate
Report as inappropriate/inaccurate

Diversity at University of Virginia

AshleyP11

'15

Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering

3.5
B

Diversity?

Though UVa is more diverse than my 96% white, Colorado, suburban high school, it's still predominately white. And not just white, "high-brow" white. You just have to ignore them.

Jan 09, 2012

Comment actions: Rate
Report as inappropriate/inaccurate
Page 1 of 10

Student Survey Poll ResultsWhat's This?

How diverse is the student body in the following areas?

How diverse is your personal circle of friends in the following areas?

How accepting is the campus community as a whole toward someone who falls into the minority (ethnic, sexual, or religious)?

How would you best describe your personal political beliefs?

How would you best describe the political beliefs of campus as a whole?

Facts

Gay Pride

UVA is becoming increasingly more accepting of its gay and lesbian population. There are various active organizations at the University promoting gay awareness (Gay and Lesbian Christian Students Association, the Missionary, Out on Rugby, and the Queer Student Union). It took a while for UVA to get to this stage, though, and there is still evidence of intolerance in many places.

Political Activity

Charlottesville, while being a wonderful place to spend your four-year college experience, can be too sheltered from what’s going on in the world. Obviously some events (like the war in Iraq) bring out a lot of passion in the student population, and there are plenty of active organizations that feed this political passion among those students (Critical Mass, Take Back the Night, Amnesty International, Children of War, European Society, The Declaration, and Republican and Democrat Organizations). The level of political investment on campus showed during the 2008 presidential election campaign.

Economic Status

UVA students come off as pretty wealthy—with their cars, clothes, and drinking habits, it would seem they would have to be. However, there are plenty of students on financial aid, student loans, and scholarships. While many are from the upper/middle-class, there is a bit of diversity in economic backgrounds.

Most Common Religions

There are a few prominent Christian groups within the University that regularly hold meetings. Some religious groups include: the Baptist Student Union, Buddhist Meditation Society, Campus Crusade for Christ, Chabad Jewish Heritage Student Association, Korean Catholic Student Ministry, Muslim Students Association, Quaker Worship Group, and many more. However, keeping true to Jefferson’s ideal of the separation of church and state, there is no one religious affiliation associated with the University. Students tend to respect each other's beliefs.

Minority Clubs on Campus

There are many minority clubs at UVA, including the Black Student Union, Afghan Student Organization, Arab Student Organization, Asian Student Union, Black Student Alliance, Graduate Women in Business, Latin American Students Association, National Organization for Women at UVA, Society of the Virginia Irish, Society of Women Engineers, Society for the Promotion of Indian Classical Music and Culture Among Youth (SPIC-MACAY), Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Union. Some of these groups have a much bigger presence on grounds than others—e.g., the Black Student Union and the National Organization for Women at UVA.

Buy The Guidebook

Buy a hard copy of "University of Virginia 2012: Off The Record"

Read more about the book . . .Add to Cart

Buy the eBook:

AmazonBarnes & NobleGoogleSmashwordsDownload the FREE Printable Summary (PDF)

Most Recent Student Author

College Prowler guides are in the hands of students throughout the entire process. Because you can't make student-written guides without the students, we have students at each campus who write, edit, and survey their peers for every guide that we publish. Thanks to our most recent student author at UVA

Name: Haley Bryant

Hometown: London, UK

Major: Media Studies

see all student author bios > Become a student author to help update the guide for this school

Find a college

Find a major

Scholarships

Reviews

Company

Buy College Prowler school guides in our bookstore Get the real scoop on what it's like on campus and see what school is the place for you!

How do we get our information? Find out here or report an error here. Please note that the information presented on this site is updated periodically, but may not be the
most recent information available for a particular school. For additional information we encourage you to visit school websites or contact the schools directly.