Head-to-head comparison
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill vs. University of Virginia
Real published data on acceptance rates, cost, and outcomes. Side by side.
Calculate your odds at bothIs UNC or UVA harder to get into?
UNC is harder to get into than UVA. UNC's 15.3% acceptance rate is lower than UVA's 16.8%.
Which is cheaper, UNC or UVA?
UNC costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, UNC's average net price is $11,655 vs $21,565 at UVA.
Which has higher post-graduation earnings?
UVA graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $72,200 at UNC and $86,863 at UVA.
Full Comparison
| Metric | UNC | UVA |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 15.3% | 16.8% |
| SAT mid-50% | 1390–1530 | 1410–1540 |
| ACT mid-50% | 28–34 | 32–35 |
| Cost of attendance | $26,055 | $39,926 |
| Avg net price (after aid) | $11,655 | $21,565 |
| Undergrad enrollment | 20,752 | 17,597 |
| 6-yr graduation rate | 91.2% | 95.6% |
| Median earnings (10yr) | $72,200 | $86,863 |
| Setting | Chapel Hill, North Carolina | Charlottesville, Virginia |
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (IPEDS) and school-published admit cycle data. Last verified May 2026.
The Real Differences
UNC is modestly harder to get into. The 1.5-point gap matters at the margin but doesn't change the overall difficulty tier. Both schools draw similar applicant pools and admit similar profiles.
UNC is significantly cheaper after aid. The average net price gap is $9,910 per year, $39,640 over four years. For most families that difference is the deciding factor when both schools admit you.
UVA graduates earn $14,663 more on average at the 10-year mark. This usually reflects major distribution more than school quality — schools that concentrate in CS, engineering, and finance pull higher medians than schools with more humanities and social science graduates. UNC grads' earnings within the same major category are typically comparable.
Geographic difference matters more than the campus tour suggests. UNC is in Chapel Hill, North Carolina; UVA is in Charlottesville, Virginia. Climate, cost-of-living, and proximity to job markets in your target field shape the four-year experience and post-grad pipeline more than most prospective students realize.
UVA's graduation rate is meaningfully higher (95.6% vs 91.2% 6-year completion). Graduation gaps at this level usually reflect support-system differences, financial aid adequacy, or degree-flexibility — worth verifying with each school's first-year retention and major-change policies.
Student Body Composition
The two schools have different student body compositions. UNC is 60.8% women, 5.6% international, and 16.0% Asian-American. UVA is 56.1% women, 4.8% international, and 19.9% Asian-American.
| Demographic | UNC | UVA |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 60.8% | 56.1% |
| International | 5.6% | 4.8% |
| White | 53.3% | 48.7% |
| Asian | 16.0% | 19.9% |
| Hispanic | 9.7% | 7.9% |
| Black | 7.4% | 7.5% |
Personalized estimate
What are your odds at UNC vs. UVA?
Get a probability for both schools calibrated to your full profile, not the headline rate.
Run the calculatorThe Verdict
Pick UNC if
- Net price matters: UNC costs $9,910 less per year on average
- Carolina Covenant
Pick UVA if
- Your odds are realistic at UVA (slightly easier admit)
- Higher median post-grad earnings ($86,863 vs $72,200)
- Higher 6-year graduation rate
- the Jeffersonian Academical Village
Headline numbers favor one school or the other on each axis, but neither is unambiguously “better.” The right answer depends on your major fit, geographic preference, financial need, and personal odds at each. Most applicants who get into one of these schools also get into the other.
Full School Pages
For complete admissions data, supplemental essay strategy, and class profile breakdowns:
Full profile
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
15.3% accept · Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Full profile
University of Virginia
16.8% accept · Charlottesville, Virginia
Sources
- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard for acceptance rates, test ranges, financial aid, demographics, completion, and earnings.
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) for the underlying federal data.
- Each school's most recent published Common Data Set for cycle-specific admissions stats.
Last verified May 2026. Stats reflect each school's most recent publicly published admit cycle.