Virginia Military Institute vs University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC)
Virginia Military Institute (VMI) and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) are two distinct institutions of higher learning that offer unique educational experiences. VMI, a public military college, stands out for its rigorous academic programs, strong military tradition, and small student body, while UNC, a public research university, boasts a diverse student population, a wide range of academic offerings, and a vibrant campus life. With acceptance rates of 34% and 23%, respectively, both universities are selective in their admissions process. VMI's popular majors include civil engineering, business administration, and mechanical engineering, while UNC's popular majors encompass a broader spectrum, including biology, psychology, and business administration. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to delve into further details about these institutions, including student body demographics, graduation rates, and additional factors that may influence your decision in choosing the best fit for your academic and personal aspirations.
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![]() University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
![]() Virginia Military Institute |
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Overview |
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Location | Chapel Hill, North Carolina | Lexington, Virginia |
Campus setting | City: Small | Town: Distant |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate |
Students retention rate | 97.0% | 87.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 20.4% | 63.9% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$85
Graduate:
$95
|
$40 |
SAT range | 1140 - 1380 | 1080 - 1300 |
ACT range | 22 - 27 | 22 - 27 |
Students submitting SAT score | 2.0% | 29.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 12.0% | 12.0% |
Total number of applicants | 50,729 | 1,549 |
Total number of admissions given out | 10,348 | 990 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 4,690 | 461 |
Yield rate | 45.3% | 46.6% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Not required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$24,770
Out of state:
$52,633
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In state:
$33,182
Out of state:
$61,836
|
Average net price | $11,508 | $18,100 |
Tuition |
In state:
$7,019
Out of state:
$34,882
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In state:
$9,782
Out of state:
$38,436
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$6,878
Meal plan:
$5,004
|
Room/dormitory:
$3,102
Meal plan:
$7,260
|
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
42.0%
Average amount $16,076 |
91.0%
Average amount $10,832 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
17.0%
Average amount $4,244 |
59.0%
Average amount $3,385 |
Students taking out private loans |
3.0%
Average amount $14,032 |
11.0%
Average amount $22,604 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
19,845
Men 39.6% Women 60.4% |
1,652
Men 86.2% Women 13.8% |
Graduate students |
11,796
Men 41.4% Women 58.6% |
N/A |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Low
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Out-of-state students | 16.2% | 38.2% |
International students | 6.8% | 1.7% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | Town: Distant |
Dormitory capacity | 9,984 | 1,751 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | Yes |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | North Carolina Georgia Maryland New York Pennsylvania | Virginia Pennsylvania Maryland North Carolina New Jersey |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 15:1 | 10:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 90.5% | 73.7% |
Dropout rate | 3.7% | 4.4% |
Transferred out | 5.4% | 21.7% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Dentistry (First Professional Degrees)
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
Applied Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health and Medical Administrative Services (Master's Degrees)
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Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
International Relations and National Security Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
History (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
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