University of Richmond Scholarships (2025–2026)
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- Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
- Automatic merit (Presidential) and competitive awards (Richmond Scholars)
- How to hit key deadlines and maximize stacking
- Honors-style perks and special cohorts worth a look
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~22%
- Middle 50% SAT: 1450–1520
- Middle 50% ACT: 33–35
- Middle 50% (Unweighted) GPA: 3.82–4.00
Source: University-published student profile. Middle 50% = the range where half of admitted students fall.
Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →
Richmond at a Glance
Last verified: October 23, 2025
Richmond is a high-value private for families targeting top merit. All first-year applicants are considered for the Presidential Scholarship (about one-third tuition), while a select cohort (≈25 students) earns Richmond Scholars—a competitive award that covers full tuition, food, and housing. With a test-optional policy and a holistic review, grades, curriculum rigor, and impact outside the classroom carry serious weight.
Apply by December 1 to be considered for Richmond Scholars. If you’re comparing options, line up these awards with need-based aid to see how close Richmond’s net price can get to your public benchmarks.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? Yes. Students may apply without SAT/ACT; scores are considered if submitted.
What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? SAT 1450–1520; ACT 33–35 among submitters.
What’s the average net price? About $33,417 after grants & scholarships (varies by income; use the Net Price Calculator for a personalized estimate).
Do they offer full-tuition or full-ride scholarships? Yes — Richmond Scholars covers full tuition plus food & housing (competitive; apply by Dec 1 for consideration).
Student Profile (middle 50% ranges): https://admission.richmond.edu/studentprofile/
Richmond Scholars program page: https://scholars.richmond.edu/
Merit (Presidential Scholarship) page: https://financialaid.richmond.edu/types-of-aid/merit-based/index.html
Admission deadlines: https://admissions.richmond.edu/process/
University COA page (2025–26): https://financialaid.richmond.edu/applying/cost.html
College Scorecard (average net price): https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?233374-University-of-Richmond=
💰 Cost of Attendance at University of Richmond
| Expense | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Fees (2025–26) | $68,230 | $68,230 |
| Housing & Meals (standard plan) | $17,975 | $17,975 |
| Total Direct Costs | $86,205 | $86,205 |
Note: Books, transportation, and personal expenses are not included above because they’re paid out of pocket, not directly to the university. Richmond estimates roughly $2,200–$2,400 per year for these indirect costs, which brings the total estimated cost of attendance to about $88,460 for 2025–26.
Note: More recent internal estimates show higher averages (~$39,000–$40,000) depending on aid distribution. Always verify with Richmond’s financial aid office for the most current figure.
Quick FAQ
Who qualifies for in-state rates?
Everyone pays the same — Richmond has one tuition rate for all undergraduates.
How much do most families actually pay?
The federal average net price is about $33,417 after scholarships and grants, though high-need families often pay substantially less.
Do I need the CSS Profile?
Yes. Richmond requires both the FAFSA and the CSS Profile to determine eligibility for institutional aid. See our CSS Profile guide for a step-by-step breakdown.
University Cost of Attendance (2025–26): https://financialaid.richmond.edu/applying/cost.html
Tuition & Fees breakdown: https://bursar.richmond.edu/tuition/index.html
Housing & Dining Rates: https://housing.richmond.edu/living/assignments/housing-rates.html
College Scorecard (average net price): https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?233374-University-of-Richmond=
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
The University of Richmond offers limited admission-based merit aid. Most scholarships are awarded automatically during the admission review, without a separate application.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Presidential Scholarship | ≈ one-third tuition (about $22,000/year for 2025–26) | Awarded automatically to around 10% of admitted first-year students with outstanding GPA, rigorous curriculum, and overall achievement | No | Yes, for up to 8 semesters (good standing required) | Top students with the most rigorous high school records, leadership, or service | All deadlines (automatic with application; see Richmond calendar) |
| Additional Merit Scholarships | $2,000–$20,000 (smaller awards) | Awarded during admission review to applicants with strong academic and extracurricular records | No | Yes (renewal requirements vary) | Admits with notable academics, arts, service, or community impact | All deadlines (automatic review) |
Award ranges depend on GPA, curriculum strength, and (if submitted) test scores. Richmond does not publish exact GPA/test cutoffs for merit awards.
Richmond participates in the National Merit Scholarship program; finalists listing Richmond as first choice are considered for sponsored awards. The university is also a QuestBridge National College Match partner.
FAQ on Automatic Merit
Do I need a separate application? No. All first-year applicants are automatically considered for merit scholarships during admission review.
Does Richmond superscore the SAT or ACT? Yes. Richmond will combine highest section scores across test dates for applicants who submit scores.
Can these scholarships stack with need-based aid? Richmond meets 100% of demonstrated financial need. Merit awards are applied first to self-help (loan/work) portion, then may reduce need-based grant amounts if awards exceed self-help.
Merit-Based Aid & Scholarships – https://financialaid.richmond.edu/undergraduate/types-of-aid/merit-scholarships.html
Richmond Scholars Program – https://scholars.richmond.edu/prospective/
Admissions FAQ – https://admission.richmond.edu/apply/first-year/
🏆 Flagship (Competitive) Scholarships
Richmond’s flagship scholarships are the most selective awards on campus—highly competitive, limited in number, and requiring more than just strong grades. These are the kinds of competitive scholarships that can cover full tuition or more, but only a small group of students actually receive them each year.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richmond Scholars Program | Full tuition, housing, and meals (up to 8 semesters), plus $5,500 enrichment grant | All first-year applicants who apply by Dec 1 automatically considered; finalists selected for interview in early spring | No—automatic if admission application submitted by Dec 1 | Yes—renewable for up to 8 semesters, must maintain full-time enrollment and good academic standing | Top 25 students from the admitted pool: nearly perfect GPAs in most advanced coursework (AP/IB/dual-enrollment), strong leadership, service, and impact essays | Dec 1 (must apply for admission by this date) |
FAQ on Flagship Scholarships
Why are they called “flagship” scholarships? These are Richmond’s most prestigious awards, created to recruit top scholars with national impact. They include finalist interviews and an academic/leadership review.
Is a separate application required? No—just submit the admission application by December 1; all eligible admits are automatically considered.
Do test scores matter? Richmond is test-optional and superscores when available. Strong scores may help, but GPA, rigor, service, and leadership matter most.
Can flagship scholarships stack with other awards? Richmond meets 100% of demonstrated financial need. If you win the flagship award, it replaces other merit/need in your package up to the full cost (no over-award).
Richmond Scholars Program – https://scholars.richmond.edu/prospective/
Scholarships for First-Year Students – https://financialaid.richmond.edu/undergraduate/types-of-aid/merit-scholarships.html
Academic Merit Scholarships – https://financialaid.richmond.edu/undergraduate/types-of-aid/merit-scholarships.html
PDF: Merit Scholarships – https://admission.richmond.edu/merit-scholarship.pdf
🎖️ Honors College
Unlike large state schools, Richmond doesn’t run a separate Honors College. Instead, it builds honors-style experiences into signature programs like the Richmond Scholars, Oliver Hill Scholars, and departmental honors tracks. For families, that means your student can still access small, seminar-style classes, faculty mentoring, and research funding without applying to a separate “college within a college.”
Near-perfect grades in the most rigorous courses offered (AP/IB/dual enrollment), strong writing and leadership experience, and a clear interest in service or community impact.
Priority registration, small discussion-based seminars, close faculty mentoring, access to funded research through the Richmond Guarantee, and special housing or cohort programming via Scholar communities.
- Departmental Honors — available in many majors (e.g., Biology, English, Political Science, Music); requires thesis or substantial capstone research/project.
- Honors Seminars — writing-intensive, seminar-style courses open to high-achieving students across disciplines.
- Scholar Cohorts — Richmond and Oliver Hill Scholars join living-learning and mentoring programs that mirror honors college experiences.
FAQ on Honors at Richmond
Is admission automatic? No. Richmond Scholars and Oliver Hill Scholars are selected during admissions review (application by Dec 1 required), while departmental honors are open to qualified, enrolled students (usually junior or senior year).
Does participating in honors add time to the degree? No. Departmental and Scholar honors are built into the four-year plan, and do not require extra semesters or delayed graduation.
Are there extra scholarships tied to honors? Yes. Richmond Scholars earn full tuition, housing, and meals (plus $5,500 for enrichment); Oliver Hill Scholars receive half tuition plus a $4,000 enrichment grant. Departmental honors do not have a separate scholarship, but program perks (advising, research funding, thesis support) are included.
What deadlines matter? For Richmond or Oliver Hill Scholars, submit your admission application by Dec 1 of senior year to be considered in the automatic review. Departmental honors have major-specific deadlines, usually junior spring or senior fall.
Richmond Scholars – https://scholars.richmond.edu/prospective/
Oliver Hill Scholars – https://scholars.richmond.edu/oliver-hill/
Richmond Guarantee – https://ursf.richmond.edu/summer-fellowships/
Departmental Honors Guide – https://english.richmond.edu/honors/
Honors Program (Arts & Sciences) – https://rhetoric.richmond.edu/honors/
⭐ College Specialty
The University of Richmond is a private liberal arts university with a national reputation that reaches beyond its small size. Parents often notice two standout features: the Jepson School of Leadership Studies—the first of its kind in the nation—and the university’s deep promise that every student will have a funded summer experience. Combined with a strong business school and global focus, Richmond graduates leave with a portfolio that blends academics, leadership, and practical experience.
Jepson School of Leadership Studies — the nation’s first undergraduate school dedicated to leadership, offering a distinctive interdisciplinary degree that is recognized nationally for innovation in teaching and civic engagement.
- Robins School of Business — consistently ranked among the top 25 undergraduate business programs nationally by Bloomberg Businessweek (2023).
- Political Science & International Studies — strong ties to policy internships in Washington, D.C. and global study programs, highly regarded regionally for government and diplomacy pipelines.
- The Richmond Guarantee — every student receives up to $5,000 (rising to $5,300 in 2026) for a research or internship experience, a national model for funded experiential learning.
- Law and Pre-Law Pathways — supported by the University of Richmond School of Law, providing early exposure and advising; the university is known in Virginia for feeding strong candidates into law school and public service.