UVA vs. VWC

Comparable Facts

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

University of Virginia Main Campus is larger than VWC based on total student enrollment (26,409 students vs. 1,853 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

UVA vs. VWC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UVA or VWC? 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 VWC ($18,427 vs. $21,267).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Wesleyan University are 19.4% lower than at University of Virginia Main Campus ($11,930 vs. $14,800).
• Virginia Wesleyan University is 72% more expensive for in-state tuition than UVA (about $15,697 more per year; $37,500.00 vs. $21,803.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 58.7% higher at UVA than at Virginia Wesleyan University (about $22,012 more per year; $59,512.00 vs. $37,500.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Wesleyan University than at University of Virginia Main Campus (100% vs. 39%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Wesleyan University students is 4.2% larger than aid received by University of Virginia Main Campus students ($29,923 vs. $28,715).

UVA vs. VWC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UVA or VWC? 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 VWC and UVA.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Virginia Main Campus (1480) is 230 points higher than at VWC (1250).
• Incoming UVA students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 28 at VWC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Virginia Main Campus 1410/1540; Virginia Wesleyan University 1140/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Virginia Main Campus 32/35; Virginia Wesleyan University 28/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UVA - Test optional; VWC - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman UVA students have a 0.46 point higher average high school GPA (3.85) than students at VWC (3.39).
• VWC has a higher acceptance rate (72.9%) than UVA (16.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 40% at UVA vs. 11.9% at VWC.

UVA vs. VWC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UVA and VWC? 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 Virginia Wesleyan University's (48%).
• Graduates from University of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of about $35,500 more per year than VWC graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,200 vs. $41,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Virginia Main Campus graduates have a $7,500 lower median loan debt than VWC graduates ($19,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UVA graduates have an estimated $78 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VWC graduates ($201 vs. $279).
• More UVA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VWC 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.