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University of the Virgin Islands

#456 in US ranking Charlotte Amalie, VI
Type:
Public
Programs:
4 years or more

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University of the Virgin Islands award
University of the Virgin Islands award

Cost

Cost / year
$18,363
Tuition & fees
$5,956
Avg. aid
$8,753
Receiving aid
93%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
99%
SAT range
783–1030
ACT range
19–22

Outcomes

Graduation rate
28%
Median salary
$39,669
1 yr after graduation

What is the accreditation of University of the Virgin Islands?

UVI is institutionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). Institutional accreditation evaluates the university as a whole; it is distinct from any additional approval or accreditation that a particular professional program may need.

Attending an institutionally accredited university is relevant to eligibility for federal student aid and can matter when applying to graduate school or seeking to transfer credits. It does not require another college to accept every UVI course. Students considering a licensed profession, particularly nursing or teaching, should also check the current status of their specific program and the licensing rules in the jurisdiction where they plan to work.

What are the admission requirements at University of the Virgin Islands?

First-year applicants apply to UVI with evidence of secondary-school completion and an academic record. The university is not an open-admission institution, although recent first-year admissions figures show that it admitted most applicants.

Applicants should be prepared to submit the university's application and an official high school transcript or an accepted equivalency credential. Academic record and GPA matter in review; college-preparatory coursework may be considered. SAT and ACT scores are considered when submitted but are not generally required. Recommendations are not generally required for admission. Applicants whose educational background calls for proof of English proficiency should review UVI's current testing and exemption rules, including its TOEFL requirements.

Some programs may impose additional prerequisites or separate selection standards. In the reported first-year admissions cycle, UVI admitted 967 of 977 applicants, approximately 99%; that institution-wide figure does not establish an applicant's eligibility for a particular program. Applicants should use the current admissions calendar for the term they want, rather than assume that every program follows the same deadline.

What are the application fees and waivers at University of the Virgin Islands?

Applicants should check UVI's current admissions application and payment screen for the charge that applies to their applicant category before submitting. An application charge is separate from tuition, housing charges, or any later enrollment deposit.

A student who cannot afford an application charge should ask admissions about waiver eligibility and the required approval process before paying. The answer may depend on whether the student is applying as a first-year, transfer, international, or graduate applicant; applicants should not assume that a waiver or a fee used for another application route applies automatically.

What types of ROTC programs are available at University of the Virgin Islands?

Army ROTC is an available option at UVI. Students interested in commissioning should confirm the current unit arrangements, course location, and participation process with UVI's ROTC staff before planning a schedule around the program.

ROTC participation and an ROTC scholarship are different decisions: scholarships have separate eligibility and selection requirements, and commissioning normally carries a military service obligation. Prospective cadets should ask about citizenship, medical and physical requirements, enrollment timing, and how military-science courses fit their degree plan. Students seeking Air Force or Navy ROTC should verify whether any current cross-enrollment arrangement would actually be accessible from their campus rather than assume those branches are offered locally.

What are the requirements for transfer students at University of the Virgin Islands?

UVI accepts transfer applicants and generally considers college credit earned at other accredited institutions. Transfer students can enter in the fall or spring, subject to the current admissions calendar and any program-specific limits.

Applicants should submit official transcripts from every college attended and check whether a high school record is also required for their circumstances. Admission as a transfer student does not mean that every previous course will satisfy a UVI degree requirement: the university must evaluate course content, credit level, grades, and the intended major. UVI also recognizes some examination and other credit pathways, including CLEP and applicable American Council on Education recommendations, under its credit policies.

The most useful planning document is an official evaluation showing which credits apply to general education, the major, or electives. This matters especially for sequenced programs such as nursing and education, where an accepted elective may not replace a required course. Transfer applicants should also check the catalog's minimum UVI-credit requirement for the credential they seek.

What types of study abroad programs are available at University of the Virgin Islands?

Students interested in study abroad should establish whether a specific off-island program is currently approved for their UVI degree. The availability of an international experience does not, by itself, mean that its courses will fulfill major or graduation requirements.

Before paying a program deposit, a student should obtain academic approval for proposed courses and clarify how credits, grades, tuition, outside program charges, and financial aid would be handled. This is particularly important for programs with tightly ordered prerequisites. UVI's Caribbean location and internationally focused coursework are not substitutes for a separately approved semester, short-term program, or exchange.

University of the Virgin Islands Admissions Factors

SAT range
783–1030
4001600
ACT range
19–22
136
Acceptance rate
99%

Acceptance rate vs. median

This school
99%
Virgin Islands
99%
US
78%

35% of admitted students enrolled (340 of 967)

ACT scores of enrolled students

ACT in range 18-23
ACT in range 24-29

University of the Virgin Islands Admissions

Applicants
Total: 977
Admission
Total: 967
Enrolled
Total: 340
Women
Men

How to Apply to University of the Virgin Islands

Early Decision

No

Early Action

No

University of the Virgin Islands First-Year Students

Where first-year students come from

In-state: 312
Out-of-state: 25
International: 3

Freshmen vs. transfer students

Freshmen: 340
Transfer: 71

University of the Virgin Islands Admission Requirements

Median composite SAT score

930

Median composite ACT score

17

Percent of students submitting ACT scores

1%

Percent of students submitting SAT scores

11%

High school completions

General Educational Development (GED) required

Computer required

No

Computer purchase/lease plan is available in the institution

No

Secondary school GPA

Required

Secondary school rank

Required

Secondary school record

Required

Completion of college-preparatory program

Considered but not required

Recommendations

Neither required nor recommended

Formal demonstration of competencies

Neither required nor recommended

Admission test scores

Considered but not required

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language

Required

Other Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.)

Neither required nor recommended

Open admission policy

No

Dual credit

No

Credit for life experiences

No

Advanced placement (AP) credits

Yes

Special learning opportunities

Orientation program

Yes

Disabilities services

Yes

Off-campus study

Yes

ROTC-Army

ROTC branch unit on campus

Study abroad

Yes

Weekend/evening college

Yes

Student can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization

Yes

Preparation at another institution required

No

Approved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teacher

No

University of the Virgin Islands Transfer Acceptance Rate

Generally accepts credits

Yes

Accept ACE recommendation for credit

Yes

Possible transfer

Fall, Spring

Data last updated on November 5, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.