University of Richmond

u_richmond.md

University of Richmond

Admissions (Class of 2029 / Fall 2025)

• Total applicants: ~13,000
• Overall acceptance rate: 23%
• Early round: ED I & ED II — ~40% ED rate vs ~20% RD rate (estimated)
• Class size: ~800
• Yield: ~26%

Academics

• SAT middle 50%: 1450–1520
• ACT middle 50%: 33–35
• Avg unweighted GPA: 3.82–4.00 (middle 50%)
• Top 10% of HS class: ~60%
• Testing policy: Test-optional (through 2026 admission cycle)

Demographics

• Women: 58%, Asian: 7%, Black: 7%, Hispanic: 10%, White: 58%, International: 11%

Financial Aid / Net Cost

Athletics

~350 varsity athletes (~11% of undergrads). NCAA Division I, Atlantic 10 Conference (Football in CAA).

Notable

Exceptionally generous financial aid — families under $48K pay under $10K, making Richmond one of the most affordable selective privates for low-income students. High academic profile (SAT 1450-1520) rivals some Ivy+ schools. Small undergraduate enrollment (~3,161). 17 varsity sports. Only 17.5% Pell Grant recipients despite generous aid, suggesting a wealthy student body.

Community Insights (Reddit/Forums)

Admissions Strategy

• ED boost is meaningful — estimated ~40% ED rate vs ~20% RD (2x multiplier). Offers EDI and EDII. All applicants are automatically considered for merit scholarships.
• High academic profile (SAT 1450-1520) rivals some Ivy+ schools, making Richmond a "hidden gem" in forum discussions. Students with near-Ivy stats who want a smaller school often consider Richmond.
• Need-blind admission with 100% demonstrated need met — one of few schools in this tier with both policies.

Campus Culture & Fit

• Greek life is prominent (~50% participation), creating a social scene that can feel exclusive. Fraternities have lodges; sororities are getting cottages. Spring rush for freshmen.
• Students praise small class sizes, dedicated professors, and a supportive academic environment. The "Richmond guarantee" of experiential learning opportunities is well-regarded.
• Campus is beautiful (350 acres, lake, Gothic architecture) in suburban Richmond, VA. The city of Richmond has a growing food/arts scene that students enjoy.
• Socioeconomic homogeneity is a common criticism — only 17.5% Pell Grant recipients despite generous aid. The student body skews wealthy and white (58%).
• Strong pre-professional orientation, especially for business (Robins School) and leadership studies (Jepson School, the only such school in the US).

Financial Aid Reputation

• Exceptionally generous — families under $48K pay under $10K, making Richmond one of the most affordable selective privates for low-income students.
• Meets 100% of demonstrated need. The average need-based aid package is $66,590.
• Despite generous policies, few low-income students actually attend (low Pell percentage), suggesting the school primarily enrolls wealthy families who don't need aid.

Simulation-Relevant Takeaways

• ED multiplier of ~2x is moderate. Need-blind + full need met makes Richmond attractive for price-sensitive high-stat students.
• Very generous aid at low income levels ($9K net price) should boost yield from low-income archetypes — but in practice, few low-income students apply.
• High Greek participation (~50%) and wealthy student body affect social fit modeling.

Sources

• University of Richmond Admissions Student Profile
• Richmond Common Data Set 2024-2025
• CollegeSimply, College Factual (net price data)
• IPEDS/College Navigator
• Niche: University of Richmond student reviews
• QuestBridge: University of Richmond financial aid profile
• Unigo: University of Richmond student opinions