EMU vs. UVA

Comparable Facts

Compare Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, VA with University of Virginia Main Campus in Charlottesville, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Virginia Main Campus is larger than EMU based on total student enrollment (26,409 students vs. 1,154 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Eastern Mennonite University is located in Harrisonburg, VA (Small City setting); University of Virginia Main Campus is in Charlottesville, VA (Small City setting).
• Eastern Mennonite University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Virginia Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Eastern Mennonite University 9:1; University of Virginia Main Campus 15:1.

EMU vs. UVA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, EMU or UVA? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Virginia Main Campus than EMU ($18,427 vs. $25,021).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Eastern Mennonite University are 11% lower than at University of Virginia Main Campus ($13,170 vs. $14,800).
• Eastern Mennonite University is 101.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UVA (about $22,117 more per year; $43,920.00 vs. $21,803.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 35.5% higher at UVA than at Eastern Mennonite University (about $15,592 more per year; $59,512.00 vs. $43,920.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Eastern Mennonite University than at University of Virginia Main Campus (96% vs. 39%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Eastern Mennonite University students is 12.8% larger than aid received by University of Virginia Main Campus students ($32,378 vs. $28,715).

EMU vs. UVA Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, EMU or UVA? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between UVA and EMU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Virginia Main Campus (1480) is 160 points higher than at EMU (1320).
• Incoming UVA students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 29 at EMU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Mennonite University 1040/1590; University of Virginia Main Campus 1410/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Eastern Mennonite University 25/34; University of Virginia Main Campus 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: EMU - Test-free; UVA - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman UVA students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.85) than students at EMU (3.7).
• EMU has a higher acceptance rate (100%) than UVA (16.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.4% at EMU vs. 40% at UVA.

EMU vs. UVA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for EMU and UVA? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• University of Virginia Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (94%) is higher than Eastern Mennonite University's (66%).
• Graduates from University of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of about $33,300 more per year than EMU graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,200 vs. $43,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Virginia Main Campus graduates have a $3,950 lower median loan debt than EMU graduates ($19,500 vs. $23,450).
• Among borrowers, UVA graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than EMU graduates ($201 vs. $242).
• More UVA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former EMU students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 80%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.