University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill vs University of Virginia: A Data-Driven Comparison
Both universities offer highly competitive admissions, with UNC Chapel Hill accepting 17.11% of applicants compared to UVA's 18.66% acceptance rate. The admissions difficulty is nearly equivalent between these top public institutions.
Cost differences are significant. UNC offers strong value with in-state tuition at $8,989 versus UVA's $20,986. Out-of-state students face $39,330 at UNC compared to $58,014 at UVA. The average net price reflects this gap: $12,983 at UNC versus $22,881 at UVA. UNC graduates carry less debt burden at $14,000 median compared to UVA's $17,500.
Both schools maintain identical 15:1 student-faculty ratios and strong retention rates above 97%. UVA edges ahead in graduation rates at 95.30% versus UNC's 92.10%. Post-graduation earnings favor UVA significantly, with median 10-year earnings of $86,863 compared to UNC's $72,200.
Campus experiences differ in scale, with UNC's larger enrollment of 20,556 students versus UVA's 17,315. Both offer NCAA Division I athletics and strong school traditions. UNC's campus culture centers around basketball and broader North Carolina identity, while UVA emphasizes its historic academic traditions.
Academic strengths vary by program, though both universities rank among top public institutions nationally. UNC excels in journalism, public health, and business, while UVA is particularly strong in business, engineering, and liberal arts.
UNC Chapel Hill suits students seeking excellent education value with lower costs and a larger campus environment, while UVA fits those prioritizing higher earning potential and willing to invest more upfront.
Both universities offer highly competitive admissions, with UNC Chapel Hill accepting 17.11% of applicants compared to UVA's 18.66% acceptance rate. The admissions difficulty is nearly equivalent between these top public institutions.
Cost differences are significant. UNC offers strong value with in-state tuition at $8,989 versus UVA's $20,986. Out-of-state students face $39,330 at UNC compared to $58,014 at UVA. The average net price reflects this gap: $12,983 at UNC versus $22,881 at UVA. UNC graduates carry less debt burden at $14,000 median compared to UVA's $17,500.
Both schools maintain identical 15:1 student-faculty ratios and strong retention rates above 97%. UVA edges ahead in graduation rates at 95.30% versus UNC's 92.10%. Post-graduation earnings favor UVA significantly, with median 10-year earnings of $86,863 compared to UNC's $72,200.
Campus experiences differ in scale, with UNC's larger enrollment of 20,556 students versus UVA's 17,315. Both offer NCAA Division I athletics and strong school traditions. UNC's campus culture centers around basketball and broader North Carolina identity, while UVA emphasizes its historic academic traditions.
Academic strengths vary by program, though both universities rank among top public institutions nationally. UNC excels in journalism, public health, and business, while UVA is particularly strong in business, engineering, and liberal arts.
UNC Chapel Hill suits students seeking excellent education value with lower costs and a larger campus environment, while UVA fits those prioritizing higher earning potential and willing to invest more upfront.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | University of Virginia-Main Campus | |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 17.1% | 18.7% |
| SAT Average | 1,440 | 1,470 |
| Enrollment | 20,556 | 17,315 |
| In-State Tuition | $8,989 | $20,986 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $39,330 | $58,014 |
| Net Price | $12,983 | $22,881 |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 92.1% | 95.3% |
| Retention Rate | 97.2% | 97.3% |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $72,200 | $86,863 |
| Median Debt | $14,000 | $17,500 |
Top Programs by Earnings
Top 5 bachelor's programs at each school, ranked by median graduate earnings.
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | University of Virginia-Main Campus | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Program | Earnings | Program | Earnings |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | $73,823 | Computer and Information Sciences, General. | $92,077 |
| Computer Science. | $72,083 | Computer Engineering. | $90,146 |
| Applied Mathematics. | $67,660 | Systems Engineering. | $82,808 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | $59,534 | Business/Commerce, General. | $82,440 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | $58,943 | Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | $74,576 |