University of Richmond

university of richmond law tuition

Prestigious Private Liberal Arts Education at Richmond

The University of Richmond appears in our ranking of 50 Great Affordable Colleges in the South.

Ranked 25th nationally by the U.S. News & World Report, the University of Richmond is a competitive, coed ACS member in Virginia’s capital that grants 63 bachelor’s, six master’s, and eight certificate options, including the Dual Enrollment Credit Program, at an 8:1 student-teacher ratio. For example, the B.S. in Environmental Studies follows a 18.5-unit, four-year path coordinated by Dr. Carrie Wu where Spiders can earn Chesapeake Conservancy internships, conduct Spatial Analysis Lab projects, attend the GESS Speaker Series, and explore Denmark. Chaired by Dr. Jessica Flanigan, the 18.5-unit B.A. in Healthcare Studies blends courses like Epidemiology with Howard Hughes Medical Institute research, United2Heal missions, and Bon Secours St. Mary’s Hospital service.

Online on Blackboard, the M.Ed. in Educational Leadership & Policy Studies builds a 37-credit, CAEP-accredited plan led by Dr. Katherine Maurer Cassada where K-12 teachers take 600-level hybrid courses like School Law and complete 320 internship hours for Virginia principal certification. Directed by Dr. Wallace Harris, the Master of Human Resource Management admits cohorts of 12-15 for a 30-credit sequence of advanced courses from Labor Relations to Organizational Psychology to pursue SHRM certification for 95 percent job placement. Other Richmond degrees include the B.S. in Mathematical Economics, B.S. in Computer Science, B.A. in Journalism, B.A. in Dance, B.S.P.S. in Paralegal Studies, M.L.A. in Public History, Master of Nonprofit Studies, and MBA in International Business.

About the University of Richmond

The University of Richmond originated on March 4, 1840, when the General Assembly chartered a new four-year institution at the former Virginia Baptist Seminary’s site. In 1849, Richmond College conferred its first two bachelor’s degrees. Closed in 1862, it was used as a Confederate hospital during the Civil War. In 1866, benefactor James Thomas Jr. donated $5,000 for its reopening. Four years later, the T.C. Williams School of Law was launched. In 1914, President Frederic Boatwright relocated Richmond to the West End and formed the Westhampton College for Women. In 1920, the University of Richmond name was adopted. In 1947, Dr. Clarence Gray became UR’s first Dean of Students. In 1969, alumnus E. Claiborne Robins donated $50 million to erect its School of Business. By 1992, the Jepson School of Leadership Studies became America’s first such department.

Endowed for $2.4 billion, the University of Richmond now employs 612 faculty teaching 2,999 undergrad and 1,024 post-grad Spiders from 71 countries online, on the 350-acre main campus designed by Ralph Adams Cram, or at UR Downtown with 200+ clubs like Bollywood Jhatkas. In 2003, UR accepted the Institute for International Education’s Heiskell Honorable Mention Award. In 2015, Richmond won the Omicron Delta Kappa Presidential Circle of Excellence Award. The University of Richmond received a 2019 CASE District III Excellence Award too. Forbes picked UR 83rd overall with the 36th best liberal arts education. On Niche, UR boasts America’s 17th best business, 36th best global studies, and 48th top political science programs. The Wall Street Journal positioned the University of Richmond 53rd. The Princeton Review applauded Richmond for the ninth happiest students and fourth best internships.

University of Richmond Accreditation Details

On March 19, 2018, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) began an on-site evaluation visit at the University of Richmond to reaffirm the Level V accreditation status through 2027-28 under the 10th president, Dr. Ronald A. Crutcher, who earned the Posse Foundation’s Star Award. Located 533 miles down Interstate 85 in Decatur, Georgia, this elite 11-state Southeast Region accreditor is recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV). The Office of Institutional Effectiveness also lists the following approvals:

  • Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
  • Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
  • American Bar Association Section on Legal Education
  • National Association of Schools of Music
  • American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

University of Richmond Application Requirements

Admission at the University of Richmond is classified “very selective” by Peterson’s because 3,585 of the 11,882 Fall 2018 applicants were chosen for tough 30 percent acceptance. First-year Spiders must be culminating a strong college-prep curriculum or a GED. The Dual Enrollment Credit Program only accepts high school juniors and seniors ranking in the top fifth of their class. Freshmen present an average secondary GPA of 3.84. The middle 50th percentile have SAT scores of 600-700 for reading and 620-720 for math. Mid-range admitted ACT scores are 29-32. Earning Departmental Honors requires a minimum 3.30 GPA. Successful transfers competing for 60 available spaces generally have GPAs of 3.0 and higher. The School of Professional & Continuing Studies seeks post-grads with 120+ credits of bachelor’s education with B averages. Master of Teaching cohorts only need 2.70 GPAs or better. Incoming MBA students present a mean GMAT score of 605. The median accepted LSAT score is 161.

The University of Richmond set freshman deadlines of November 1st for Early Action or January 1st for Regular Decision. Transfers must file before April 15th for Fall or November 1st for Spring enrollment. Degree-seeking graduate students should apply by August 4th, November 30th, or April 15th. The Richmond School of Law considers Juris Doctor candidates until March 1st. Accordingly, complete the UR, Coalition, or Common Application online for $35 ($50 if graduate). Forward official transcripts to 410 Westhampton Way in Richmond, VA 23173. Directly send test scores using SAT/GRE code 5569 or ACT code 4410. Attach supplemental materials, such as the health history record, secondary school report, 1-3 recommendations, resume, teacher certificate, and writing sample. Contact (800) 700-1662 or [email protected] with questions.

Tuition and Financial Aid

For 2019-20, the University of Richmond is charging full-time undergrads $27,345 per semester or $54,690 annually. Traditional part-time students pay $7,810 per unit or $3,905 per 0.5 unit. Residing at the “River City” campus’ dorms like Marsh Hall adds $6,000 to $7,600 for yearly housing. Spider Unlimited meal plans for Heilman Dining Center are $6,900 extra. UR budgets $1,100 for books and $1,000 for personal expenses. Annual bachelor’s attendance equals about $69,750 on-site or $54,770 at home. The School of Professional & Continuing Studies has undergrad tuition of $510 per credit. Graduate programs are $640 per credit. MBA cohorts spend more at $1,440 per credit. The School of Law bills $23,200 by term or $46,400 each year.

According to the NCES College Navigator, the Office of Financial Aid in Queally Center Suite 214 links 72 percent of full-time UR Spiders to tuition assistance averaging $34,644 each for $81.75 million combined. Institutional funds include the Bessie Pond Eppes Scholarship, David Howard Journalism Scholarship, Elizabeth Rae Hodkinson Scholarship, Henry Stewart Sociology Scholarship, Ann Dickinson Welsh Scholarship, Jacob Billikopf Scholarship, Max Goodloe Scholarship, Randolph Wellford Gunn Scholarship, and Garnett Ryland Scholarship. The Richmond Scholars Program covers full costs of $259,920 over four years for freshmen maintaining a minimum 3.0 GPA. The Presidential Scholarship has a January 15th deadline for earning one-third of tuition and $3,000 enrichment grants. Federal resources, such as the Pell Grant and Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, require FAFSA forms coded 003744. Virginians could also claim the Commonwealth Award, Tuition Assistance Grant, Two-Year College Transfer Grant, or Military Survivors and Dependents Education Grant.

Search through five first-rate schools with 75+ value-added programs placed 113th by Money Magazine at the University of Richmond website.