IU-Bloomington vs University of Virginia-Main Campus (UVA)

Indiana University-Bloomington and University of Virginia-Main Campus, two esteemed public research universities, offer distinct educational experiences. IU-Bloomington boasts a higher acceptance rate, making it more accessible to a broader range of students. In contrast, UVA-Main Campus is more selective, resulting in a lower acceptance rate. Both universities excel in various academic disciplines, with IU-Bloomington excelling in fields like business, education, and nursing, while UVA-Main Campus shines in areas such as engineering, law, and medicine. Explore the detailed comparison table to delve into further differences, including student body demographics, graduation rates, and popular majors, to determine which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Indiana University-Bloomington	University of Virginia-Main Campus
Overview
Location	Bloomington, Indiana	Charlottesville, Virginia
Campus setting	City: Small	Suburb: Small
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	90.0%	97.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	85.0%	20.7%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $65 Graduate: $70	Undergraduate: $75 Graduate: $85
SAT range	1160 - 1380	1380 - 1500
ACT range	26 - 32	32 - 35
Students submitting SAT score	39.0%	52.0%
Students submitting ACT score	23.0%	21.0%
Total number of applicants	46,498	47,971
Total number of admissions given out	39,543	9,951
Admitted students who chose to enroll	9,482	3,889
Yield rate	24.0%	39.1%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Not required	Not required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Not required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $27,299 Out of state: $54,318	In state: $36,314 Out of state: $70,696
Average net price	$13,386	$20,401
Tuition	In state: $9,913 Out of state: $36,932	In state: $16,010 Out of state: $49,710
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $7,798 Meal plan: $4,300	Room/dormitory: $7,110 Meal plan: $5,550
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Prepaid tuition plan Guaranteed tuition plan Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	67.0% Average amount $11,608	46.0% Average amount $19,612
Students receiving federal student loan	30.0% Average amount $5,040	25.0% Average amount $4,845
Students taking out private loans	7.0% Average amount $19,336	6.0% Average amount $11,030

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	34,253 Men 50.1% Women 49.9%	17,294 Men 43.7% Women 56.3%
Graduate students	11,075 Men 53.1% Women 46.9%	8,711 Men 46.9% Women 53.1%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	43.6%	35.2%
International students	10.4%	8.8%
Campus local/setting	City: Small	Suburb: Small
Dormitory capacity	13,484	7,645
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Indiana Illinois New Jersey California New York	Virginia New York Maryland Pennsylvania New Jersey

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Public Administration and Social Service Kinesiology & Leisure Studies Computer and Information Science Biological and Biomedical Sciences	Business Health Professions Engineering Social Sciences Education
Students to faculty ratio	17:1	15:1
Institutional accreditation	Higher Learning Commission	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome
Graduation rate	80.8%	93.7%
Dropout rate	7.9%	2.3%
Transferred out	10.2%	3.6%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $111,595 Year 2: $114,366 Year 3: $123,644 Optometry (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $95,538 Year 2: $108,370 Year 3: $115,751 Human Computer Interaction (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $76,640 Year 2: $80,355 Year 3: $97,668 Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Graduate/Professional Certificates) Year 1: $101,331 Year 2: $76,460 Year 3: $88,260 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $70,263 Year 2: $70,596 Year 3: $82,012 Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $73,288 Year 2: $67,869 Year 3: $81,338 Chemistry (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $79,011 Year 2: $61,516 Year 3: $79,545 Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $63,371 Year 2: $65,832 Year 3: $78,226 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $66,745 Year 2: $61,516 Year 3: $75,109 Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $73,446 Year 3: $74,650	Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $185,710 Year 2: $162,255 Year 3: $193,013 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $157,071 Year 2: $155,263 Year 3: $176,237 Computer Software and Media Applications (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $86,350 Year 2: $101,406 Year 3: $125,729 Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $103,426 Year 2: $107,256 Year 3: $120,362 Systems Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $108,239 Year 2: $95,739 Year 3: $109,956 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $83,639 Year 2: $92,077 Year 3: $108,272 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $84,682 Year 2: $90,146 Year 3: $101,904 Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $76,602 Year 2: $82,440 Year 3: $95,939 Systems Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $79,487 Year 2: $82,808 Year 3: $94,931 Public Policy Analysis (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $54,807 Year 2: $70,596 Year 3: $84,597

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences in campus setting and atmosphere between Indiana University (IU) and the University of Virginia (UVA)?

IU Bloomington offers a classic, large Midwestern college town experience. The campus is sprawling and vibrant, with a strong emphasis on student life and a lively social scene. Bloomington itself is a quintessential college town, offering a mix of local shops, restaurants, and entertainment options. UVA, on the other hand, is located in Charlottesville, Virginia, a smaller city with a more historical and refined atmosphere. The campus, designed by Thomas Jefferson, is known for its iconic architecture and a strong sense of tradition. While UVA also has a vibrant student life, it tends to be perceived as slightly more academically focused and less party-centric than IU.
How do IU and UVA compare in terms of academic strengths and popular majors?

Both IU and UVA are strong academic institutions, but they have different areas of emphasis. IU is particularly well-regarded for its Jacobs School of Music, Kelley School of Business, and programs in journalism, public affairs, and information science. UVA excels in law, medicine, business (Darden School), engineering, and public policy. Popular majors at IU include business, nursing, and computer science, while UVA sees high enrollment in economics, political science, and biology. Consider your specific academic interests when making your decision.
What are the differences in tuition costs and financial aid opportunities between IU and UVA?

Tuition costs vary significantly depending on residency. Generally, IU is more affordable for in-state students, while UVA can be more expensive for out-of-state students. Both universities offer a range of financial aid options, including scholarships, grants, and loans. UVA has a strong endowment and may be able to offer more generous need-based aid packages to qualified students. It's crucial to compare the net cost (tuition minus financial aid) at each institution based on your individual financial circumstances. Use the net price calculators on each university's website to get an estimate.
How do the student bodies at IU and UVA differ in terms of size and diversity?

IU Bloomington has a significantly larger student body than UVA. This means you'll encounter a wider range of perspectives and experiences at IU. UVA, while still a large university, has a slightly more selective admissions process, which can contribute to a different student profile. Both universities are committed to diversity, but the specific demographics may vary. IU tends to draw a larger proportion of students from the Midwest, while UVA attracts students from across the United States and internationally, particularly from the East Coast and Southern states.
What are the career services and internship opportunities like at IU and UVA?

Both IU and UVA offer comprehensive career services, including career counseling, resume workshops, and job fairs. The strength of their internship opportunities often aligns with their academic strengths. IU's Kelley School of Business has strong connections with companies in the Midwest and beyond, providing excellent internship opportunities in business and finance. UVA's location near Washington, D.C., provides access to internships in government, law, and policy. Both universities have alumni networks that can be valuable resources for career advancement.
How do the campus cultures and traditions compare between IU and UVA?

IU is known for its strong school spirit, particularly surrounding its basketball program. Traditions like Little 500 (a bicycle race) are deeply ingrained in the campus culture. UVA has a rich history and a strong sense of tradition, exemplified by its Honor Code and the Rotunda. Students at UVA often participate in traditions like lighting the Lawn during graduation. While both universities have vibrant campus cultures, IU's is often perceived as more laid-back and focused on student life, while UVA's is more steeped in history and academic rigor.
What are the housing options like at IU and UVA?

Both IU and UVA offer a variety of housing options, including traditional dormitories, suite-style living, and apartment-style housing. IU has a larger number of on-campus housing options due to its larger student body. UVA's housing is often centered around residential colleges, fostering a strong sense of community. Both universities offer themed housing options based on academic interests or extracurricular activities. It's advisable to research the specific housing options available at each university and consider your preferences for living arrangements.
How does the location of each university impact student life and opportunities?

Bloomington, Indiana, offers a classic college town experience with a focus on student life and entertainment. While it's not a major metropolitan area, it provides a supportive and engaging environment for students. Charlottesville, Virginia, is a smaller city with a rich history and a more refined atmosphere. Its proximity to the Blue Ridge Mountains offers opportunities for outdoor recreation. UVA's location also provides access to internships and cultural events in nearby Washington, D.C. Consider whether you prefer the atmosphere of a large college town or a smaller city with historical significance when making your decision.
What is the Greek life scene like at IU and UVA?

Both IU and UVA have active Greek life scenes, with a wide range of fraternities and sororities. Greek life tends to be a more prominent part of the social scene at IU compared to UVA. While many students at UVA participate in Greek life, it's not necessarily the dominant social activity. Consider your interest in Greek life when making your decision, as it can significantly impact your social experience at either university.
How do IU and UVA compare in terms of research opportunities for undergraduate students?

Both IU and UVA offer research opportunities for undergraduate students, but the specific opportunities may vary depending on your field of study. IU's research strengths in areas like music, business, and information science provide opportunities for students in those fields. UVA's strong research programs in medicine, engineering, and the sciences offer research opportunities for students in those disciplines. Both universities have programs that connect undergraduate students with faculty researchers. It's advisable to research the specific research opportunities available in your area of interest at each university.

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