University of Virginia-Main Campus (UVA) vs University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC)

Envision yourself immersed in the vibrant college towns of Charlottesville, Virginia, and Chapel Hill, North Carolina, home to two esteemed institutions of higher learning: University of Virginia-Main Campus and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. While both universities share a commitment to academic excellence, they offer distinct experiences. UVA boasts a lower acceptance rate, attracting a diverse student body with a strong focus on liberal arts and sciences. UNC-Chapel Hill, with its higher acceptance rate, welcomes a larger student population, known for its strengths in business, journalism, and public health. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to delve into further details, including graduation rates, popular majors, and student demographics, to help you make an informed decision about your academic journey.

	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	University of Virginia-Main Campus
Overview
Location	Chapel Hill, North Carolina	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	97.0%	97.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	20.4%	20.7%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $85 Graduate: $95	Undergraduate: $75 Graduate: $85
SAT range	1140 - 1380	1380 - 1500
ACT range	22 - 27	32 - 35
Students submitting SAT score	2.0%	52.0%
Students submitting ACT score	12.0%	21.0%
Total number of applicants	50,729	47,971
Total number of admissions given out	10,348	9,951
Admitted students who chose to enroll	4,690	3,889
Yield rate	45.3%	39.1%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Not required
Recommendation letters	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: $24,770 Out of state: $52,633	In state: $36,314 Out of state: $70,696
Average net price	$11,508	$20,401
Tuition	In state: $7,019 Out of state: $34,882	In state: $16,010 Out of state: $49,710
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $6,878 Meal plan: $5,004	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)	42.0% Average amount $16,076	46.0% Average amount $19,612
Students receiving federal student loan	17.0% Average amount $4,244	25.0% Average amount $4,845
Students taking out private loans	3.0% Average amount $14,032	6.0% Average amount $11,030

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	19,845 Men 39.6% Women 60.4%	17,294 Men 43.7% Women 56.3%
Graduate students	11,796 Men 41.4% Women 58.6%	8,711 Men 46.9% Women 53.1%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	16.2%	35.2%
International students	6.8%	8.8%
Campus local/setting	City: Small	Suburb: Small
Dormitory capacity	9,984	7,645
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	North Carolina Georgia Maryland New York Pennsylvania	Virginia New York Maryland Pennsylvania New Jersey

Academics
Popular study areas	Health Professions Business Social Sciences Public Administration and Social Service Multidisciplinary Studies	Business Health Professions Engineering Social Sciences Education
Students to faculty ratio	15:1	15:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome
Graduation rate	90.5%	93.7%
Dropout rate	3.7%	2.3%
Transferred out	5.4%	3.6%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $168,979 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $238,213 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $135,965 Year 2: $127,836 Year 3: $150,089 Dentistry (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $116,248 Year 2: $82,440 Year 3: $128,102 Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $67,961 Year 2: $103,078 Year 3: $117,488 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $89,271 Year 2: $86,036 Year 3: $96,602 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $74,162 Year 2: $72,083 Year 3: $95,204 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $74,938 Year 2: $73,823 Year 3: $89,917 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $71,557 Year 2: $57,770 Year 3: $87,057 Applied Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $64,899 Year 2: $67,660 Year 3: $86,155 Health and Medical Administrative Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $68,205 Year 2: $68,666 Year 3: $82,520	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 key academic differences between the University of Virginia (UVA) and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-Chapel Hill)?

Both UVA and UNC-Chapel Hill are highly regarded public universities with strong academics. UVA is known for its emphasis on a liberal arts education and its distinctive undergraduate schools, such as the McIntire School of Commerce. UNC-Chapel Hill boasts a strong public health program and a renowned journalism school. While both offer a wide range of programs, consider your specific academic interests when making your decision.
How do the campus cultures of UVA and UNC-Chapel Hill compare?

UVA has a strong tradition of student self-governance and a vibrant social scene centered around its historic grounds and the Lawn. UNC-Chapel Hill is known for its strong sense of community, school spirit, and a more relaxed atmosphere. Both universities have active Greek life, but the overall feel of the campuses differs. UVA tends to be more formal, while UNC-Chapel Hill is often perceived as more laid-back.
What are the differences in cost and financial aid between UVA and UNC-Chapel Hill?

Both universities offer competitive tuition rates for in-state students. Out-of-state tuition is higher at both institutions. Financial aid opportunities, including scholarships and grants, are available at both UVA and UNC-Chapel Hill. It's recommended to compare the net cost (after financial aid) based on your individual circumstances using the net price calculators on each university's website.
How do the locations of UVA and UNC-Chapel Hill impact the student experience?

UVA is located in Charlottesville, Virginia, a historic city with a vibrant arts scene and access to the Blue Ridge Mountains. UNC-Chapel Hill is situated in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, a college town with a lively downtown area and proximity to the Research Triangle Park. Both locations offer a variety of cultural, recreational, and professional opportunities, but the specific environment and available activities differ.
What are the strengths of the alumni networks at UVA and UNC-Chapel Hill?

Both UVA and UNC-Chapel Hill have extensive and active alumni networks. UVA's alumni network is particularly strong in business, law, and government. UNC-Chapel Hill's alumni network is well-regarded across various fields, including media, healthcare, and technology. Both networks provide valuable career resources and networking opportunities for students and graduates.
How do the athletic programs at UVA and UNC-Chapel Hill compare?

Both universities have highly competitive athletic programs. UNC-Chapel Hill is particularly known for its basketball program, with a rich history of success. UVA has strong programs across various sports, including basketball, football, and lacrosse. Both schools offer exciting athletic events and a strong sense of school spirit.
What are the admission requirements and selectivity levels of UVA and UNC-Chapel Hill?

Both UVA and UNC-Chapel Hill are highly selective universities. Admission requirements typically include a strong academic record, standardized test scores (though test-optional policies may be in place), essays, and letters of recommendation. The specific requirements and selectivity levels may vary slightly from year to year, so it's essential to review the most up-to-date information on each university's admissions website.
What are the housing options like at UVA and UNC-Chapel Hill?

Both universities offer a variety of on-campus housing options, including traditional dorms, suites, and apartments. UVA's housing is often integrated with its historic grounds. UNC-Chapel Hill also provides a range of housing choices. The availability and specific features of housing options can vary, so it's important to research the details on each university's housing website.
How do career services and internship opportunities differ at UVA and UNC-Chapel Hill?

Both universities provide robust career services to help students with career exploration, resume writing, interviewing skills, and job placement. UVA's career services often have strong connections to the business and law sectors. UNC-Chapel Hill's career services have extensive networks in various fields, including public health and media. Both universities offer numerous internship opportunities, both locally and nationally, to help students gain practical experience.
What is the overall student body diversity like at UVA and UNC-Chapel Hill?

Both UVA and UNC-Chapel Hill are committed to fostering diverse student bodies. They actively recruit students from various backgrounds, including different ethnicities, socioeconomic statuses, and geographic locations. While both universities strive for diversity, the specific demographics may vary slightly. You can find detailed information on student demographics on each university's website.

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