I think the worst thing about UVa is size of the large first year lecture classes. However, even some exhorbitantly priced private universities have large first year lectures. Three years ago, UVa announced an intent to shift the large lectures to hybrid classes where students would watch lectures online and then attend sessions mainly to ask questions. I don’t know how much that has been implemented.
The best thing about Batten is that the classes are not large, and that it is easy to get the classes you want.
My son was very happy with his Batten education, and with the quality of his profs. He was recruited on-grounds last fall by a federal agency, where he now works, and he is being given lots of responsibility.
When comparing costs, also consider the costs of living. Housing prices in Cville have increased, but they are no where nearly as expensive as Boston and DC. Likewise, food will be more expensive in Boston and DC.