UNC Chapel Hill vs. UVA

Comparable Facts

Compare University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in Chapel Hill, NC with University of Virginia Main Campus in Charlottesville, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is larger than UVA based on total student enrollment (32,438 students vs. 26,409 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is located in Chapel Hill, NC (Small City setting); University of Virginia Main Campus is in Charlottesville, VA (Small City setting).
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 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 North Carolina at Chapel Hill 15:1; University of Virginia Main Campus 15:1.

UNC Chapel Hill vs. UVA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNC Chapel Hill 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 North Carolina at Chapel Hill than UVA ($10,154 vs. $18,427).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are 6.7% lower than at University of Virginia Main Campus ($13,804 vs. $14,800).
• University of Virginia Main Campus is 142.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNC Chapel Hill (about $12,809 more per year; $21,803.00 vs. $8,994.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 44.4% higher at UVA than at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (about $18,309 more per year; $59,512.00 vs. $41,203.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Virginia Main Campus than at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (39% vs. 38%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Virginia Main Campus students is 61.2% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill students ($28,715 vs. $17,814).

UNC Chapel Hill vs. UVA Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNC Chapel Hill 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 UNC Chapel Hill.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Virginia Main Campus (1480) is 20 points higher than at UNC Chapel Hill (1460).
• Incoming UVA students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 31 at UNC Chapel Hill).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 1390/1530; University of Virginia Main Campus 1410/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 28/34; University of Virginia Main Campus 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNC Chapel Hill - Test optional; UVA - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNC Chapel Hill Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UVA students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.85) than students at UNC Chapel Hill (3.83).
• UVA has a higher acceptance rate (16.8%) than UNC Chapel Hill (15.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.5% at UNC Chapel Hill vs. 40% at UVA.

UNC Chapel Hill vs. UVA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNC Chapel Hill 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 North Carolina at Chapel Hill's (89%).
• Graduates from University of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of about $11,100 more per year than UNC Chapel Hill graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,200 vs. $66,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill graduates have a $3,021 lower median loan debt than UVA graduates ($16,479 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, UNC Chapel Hill graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UVA graduates ($170 vs. $201).
• More UVA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNC Chapel Hill students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 82%)

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.