University of Virginia-Main Campus (UVA) vs University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC)

Envision yourself immersed in the vibrant academic landscapes of two esteemed institutions: the University of Virginia-Main Campus and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. While both universities share a commitment to academic excellence, they offer distinct experiences that cater to diverse student aspirations. Delve into our comprehensive comparison table to uncover the nuances that set these institutions apart. Explore the contrasting acceptance rates, discover the spectrum of popular majors available, and gain insights into the unique student body demographics that contribute to each university's vibrant campus culture. Furthermore, uncover the graduation rates that reflect the institutions' dedication to student success. This side-by-side analysis empowers you to make an informed decision, aligning your academic goals with the ideal educational environment.

	University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign	University of Virginia-Main Campus
Overview
Location	Champaign, Illinois	Charlottesville, Virginia
Campus setting	City: Small	Suburb: Small
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	93.0%	97.0%
Common app member	No	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	59.7%	20.7%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $70	Undergraduate: $75 Graduate: $85
SAT range	1320 - 1510	1380 - 1500
ACT range	29 - 34	32 - 35
Students submitting SAT score	43.0%	52.0%
Students submitting ACT score	24.0%	21.0%
Total number of applicants	47,593	47,971
Total number of admissions given out	28,395	9,951
Admitted students who chose to enroll	8,297	3,889
Yield rate	29.2%	39.1%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Not required	Not required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Not required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $31,636 Out of state: $49,086	In state: $36,314 Out of state: $70,696
Average net price	$14,272	$20,401
Tuition	In state: $12,254 Out of state: $29,704	In state: $16,010 Out of state: $49,710
Room & board	$12,494	Room/dormitory: $7,110 Meal plan: $5,550
Available payment plans	Guaranteed tuition plan Tuition payment plan	Prepaid tuition plan Guaranteed tuition plan Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	82.0% Average amount $11,212	46.0% Average amount $19,612
Students receiving federal student loan	33.0% Average amount $4,889	25.0% Average amount $4,845
Students taking out private loans	8.0% Average amount $7,014	6.0% Average amount $11,030

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	34,779 Men 54.1% Women 45.9%	17,294 Men 43.7% Women 56.3%
Graduate students	21,828 Men 55.8% Women 44.2%	8,711 Men 46.9% Women 53.1%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Low
Out-of-state students	19.1%	35.2%
International students	20.4%	8.8%
Campus local/setting	City: Small	Suburb: Small
Dormitory capacity	16,111	7,645
First year students are required to live on campus?	Yes	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Illinois California New Jersey Texas New York	Virginia New York Maryland Pennsylvania New Jersey

Academics
Popular study areas	Engineering Business Computer and Information Science Agriculture Education	Business Health Professions Engineering Social Sciences Education
Students to faculty ratio	21:1	15:1
Institutional accreditation	Higher Learning Commission	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome
Graduation rate	84.9%	93.7%
Dropout rate	14.2%	2.3%
Transferred out	N/A	3.6%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Computer Science (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $144,200 Year 2: $138,932 Year 3: $205,343 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $101,262 Year 2: $101,592 Year 3: $118,452 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $96,177 Year 2: $95,930 Year 3: $115,158 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $88,455 Year 2: $84,100 Year 3: $103,246 Human Resources Management and Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $87,923 Year 2: $93,033 Year 3: $99,026 Taxation (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $96,057 Year 2: $99,404 Year 3: $96,431 Veterinary Medicine (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $83,448 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $93,057 Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $87,643 Year 2: $87,604 Year 3: $92,498 Law (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $67,633 Year 2: $74,200 Year 3: $92,189 Engineering Physics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $48,606 Year 2: $74,845 Year 3: $90,556	Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $185,710 Year 2: $162,255 Year 3: $193,013 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $157,071 Year 2: $155,263 Year 3: $176,237 Computer Software and Media Applications (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $86,350 Year 2: $101,406 Year 3: $125,729 Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $103,426 Year 2: $107,256 Year 3: $120,362 Systems Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $108,239 Year 2: $95,739 Year 3: $109,956 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $83,639 Year 2: $92,077 Year 3: $108,272 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $84,682 Year 2: $90,146 Year 3: $101,904 Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $76,602 Year 2: $82,440 Year 3: $95,939 Systems Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $79,487 Year 2: $82,808 Year 3: $94,931 Public Policy Analysis (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $54,807 Year 2: $70,596 Year 3: $84,597

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences in location and campus environment between UVA and UIUC?

The University of Virginia (UVA) is located in Charlottesville, Virginia, a smaller city known for its historical significance and close proximity to the Blue Ridge Mountains. This provides a more intimate and picturesque campus environment. The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), on the other hand, is situated in the twin cities of Urbana and Champaign, Illinois, a larger metropolitan area in the Midwest. UIUC offers a more urban feel with a larger student population and a broader range of activities both on and off campus.
How do UVA and UIUC compare in terms of academic focus and strengths?

UVA is renowned for its strong liberal arts programs, particularly in history, English, and government, as well as its highly-ranked schools of law, business, and medicine. UIUC is a powerhouse in STEM fields, especially engineering, computer science, and agriculture. While both universities offer a wide range of programs, UVA leans towards the humanities and social sciences, while UIUC excels in science and technology.
What is the difference in cost of attendance between UVA and UIUC?

Generally, UVA's cost of attendance, especially for out-of-state students, tends to be higher than UIUC's. However, this can vary depending on individual circumstances, financial aid packages, and residency status. It's crucial to check the official websites of both universities for the most up-to-date tuition and fee information, and to explore available scholarship and financial aid opportunities at each institution.
How do the student bodies at UVA and UIUC differ?

UVA's student body is drawn from a more geographically diverse pool, with a significant proportion of students coming from the East Coast and Southern states. UIUC attracts a large number of students from the Midwest, particularly Illinois, but also has a substantial international student population. UIUC generally has a larger overall student population than UVA.
What are the key differences in campus culture and social life at UVA and UIUC?

UVA is known for its strong traditions, honor code, and a vibrant Greek life scene. The social atmosphere often revolves around on-Grounds events and activities. UIUC offers a more diverse social scene, with a wide range of student organizations, clubs, and activities catering to various interests. Its location in a larger metropolitan area also provides more off-campus entertainment options.
How do UVA and UIUC compare in terms of research opportunities?

Both UVA and UIUC are major research universities with extensive research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students. UIUC, with its strength in STEM, offers a vast array of research projects in engineering, computer science, and related fields. UVA provides strong research opportunities in the humanities, social sciences, and medicine. Students at both universities should explore research opportunities within their specific areas of interest.
What are the career prospects like for graduates of UVA and UIUC?

Graduates from both UVA and UIUC enjoy strong career prospects. UVA graduates often find opportunities in fields such as law, finance, consulting, and government, particularly in the Mid-Atlantic region. UIUC graduates are highly sought after in the tech industry, engineering, and agriculture, with strong connections to companies in the Midwest and beyond. Both universities have robust career services departments to assist students with internships and job placement.
How do the athletic programs at UVA and UIUC compare?

Both UVA and UIUC are members of major athletic conferences (ACC and Big Ten, respectively) and offer a wide range of varsity sports. UVA has seen recent success in sports like basketball, baseball, and lacrosse. UIUC is known for its strong basketball, football, and track and field programs. Both universities offer a vibrant athletic atmosphere and opportunities for students to participate in intramural and club sports.
What are the notable alumni networks like at UVA and UIUC?

Both UVA and UIUC boast extensive and influential alumni networks. UVA's alumni network is particularly strong in the Mid-Atlantic region and includes prominent figures in politics, law, and business. UIUC's alumni network is vast and influential in the Midwest and beyond, with notable alumni in technology, engineering, and business. Both universities actively engage their alumni to support current students and graduates.
How do UVA and UIUC support international students?

Both UVA and UIUC provide comprehensive support services for international students, including visa assistance, orientation programs, language support, and cultural activities. UIUC, with its larger international student population, has a well-established infrastructure for supporting international students. UVA also offers a welcoming environment and resources tailored to the needs of international students. Prospective international students should explore the specific resources and programs offered by each university's international student services office.

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