UC vs. UVA

Comparable Facts

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

University of Cincinnati Main Campus is larger than UVA based on total student enrollment (45,026 students vs. 26,409 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Cincinnati Main Campus is located in Cincinnati, OH (Large City setting); University of Virginia Main Campus is in Charlottesville, VA (Small City setting).
• University of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Virginia Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Cincinnati Main Campus 19:1; University of Virginia Main Campus 15:1.

UC vs. UVA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC 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 UC ($18,427 vs. $24,696).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Cincinnati Main Campus are 8.4% lower than at University of Virginia Main Campus ($13,564 vs. $14,800).
• University of Virginia Main Campus is 56% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC (about $7,827 more per year; $21,803.00 vs. $13,976.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 103% higher at UVA than at University of Cincinnati Main Campus (about $30,202 more per year; $59,512.00 vs. $29,310.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Cincinnati Main Campus than at University of Virginia Main Campus (73% vs. 39%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Virginia Main Campus students is 250.4% larger than aid received by University of Cincinnati Main Campus students ($28,715 vs. $8,196).

UC vs. UVA Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UC 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 UC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Virginia Main Campus (1480) is 210 points higher than at UC (1270).
• Incoming UVA students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 26 at UC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Cincinnati Main Campus 1160/1370; University of Virginia Main Campus 1410/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Cincinnati Main Campus 24/29; University of Virginia Main Campus 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC - Test optional; UVA - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UVA students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.85) than students at UC (3.69).
• UC has a higher acceptance rate (85.3%) than UVA (16.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.5% at UC vs. 40% at UVA.

UC vs. UVA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC 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 University of Cincinnati Main Campus's (59%).
• Graduates from University of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of about $31,600 more per year than UC graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,200 vs. $45,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Virginia Main Campus graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than UC graduates ($19,500 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, UVA graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UC graduates ($201 vs. $237).
• More UVA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 57%)

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.