The University of Virginia is distinctive among institutions of higher education. Founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1819, the University of Virginia sustains the ideal of developing, through education, leaders who are well-prepared to help shape the future of the nation. This Virginia college is public, while nourished by the strong support of its alumni. The University of Virginia is also selective; the students who come here have been chosen because they show the exceptional promise Jefferson envisioned.

The University of Virginia offers 50 bachelor's degrees in 47 fields, 85 master's degrees in 67 fields, six educational specialist degrees, two first-professional degrees (law and medicine), and 59 doctoral degrees in 58 fields.

The University of Virginia Health System is a nationally renowned academic medical center committed to providing outstanding patient care, educating tomorrow's health care leaders, and discovering new and better ways to treat diseases. Recognized for excellence by such publications as U.S. News & World Report, Best Doctors in America, and Good Housekeeping, physicians at the University of Virginia's Health System serve patients from Charlottesville and the surrounding communities, as well as from throughout Virginia and the Southeast. Since 1998, the Medical Center has been recognized as one of the nation's top 100 hospitals, according to Solucient (formerly HCIA-Sachs Institute), a leading health care information company. In particular, Solucient selected the University of Virginia cardiology and heart surgery program as one of the 100 Top Hospitals: Cardiovascular Benchmarks for Success Study.