Trinity College vs University of Virginia-Main Campus (UVA)

Trinity College and the University of Virginia-Main Campus, two esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Trinity College, a private liberal arts college in Hartford, Connecticut, boasts a highly selective admissions process with an acceptance rate of 13%, while the University of Virginia-Main Campus, a public research university in Charlottesville, Virginia, offers a more accessible admissions process with an acceptance rate of 26%. Both institutions offer a diverse range of undergraduate programs, with Trinity College excelling in the humanities and social sciences, and the University of Virginia-Main Campus excelling in engineering, business, and nursing. The student bodies at both institutions reflect their unique characteristics, with Trinity College fostering a close-knit community of approximately 2,500 students and the University of Virginia-Main Campus hosting a vibrant and diverse student body of over 24,000 students. With graduation rates of 91% and 89% respectively, both institutions are committed to providing

	Trinity College	University of Virginia-Main Campus
Overview
Location	Hartford, Connecticut	Charlottesville, Virginia
Campus setting	City: Midsize	Suburb: Small
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	91.0%	97.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	37.7%	20.7%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $65 Graduate: $75	Undergraduate: $75 Graduate: $85
SAT range	1333 - 1480	1380 - 1500
ACT range	29 - 33	32 - 35
Students submitting SAT score	11.0%	52.0%
Students submitting ACT score	5.0%	21.0%
Total number of applicants	5,603	47,971
Total number of admissions given out	2,115	9,951
Admitted students who chose to enroll	523	3,889
Yield rate	24.7%	39.1%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Not required	Not required
Recommendation letters	Required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Not required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$79,770	In state: $36,314 Out of state: $70,696
Average net price	$29,789	$20,401
Tuition	$58,610	In state: $16,010 Out of state: $49,710
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $10,350 Meal plan: $5,550	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)	66.0% Average amount $46,858	46.0% Average amount $19,612
Students receiving federal student loan	48.0% Average amount $4,756	25.0% Average amount $4,845
Students taking out private loans	7.0% Average amount $15,135	6.0% Average amount $11,030

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	2,159 Men 50.8% Women 49.2%	17,294 Men 43.7% Women 56.3%
Graduate students	31 Men 74.2% Women 25.8%	8,711 Men 46.9% Women 53.1%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	82.8%	35.2%
International students	12.6%	8.8%
Campus local/setting	City: Midsize	Suburb: Small
Dormitory capacity	1,999	7,645
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Mississippi Connecticut New York New Jersey Illinois	Virginia New York Maryland Pennsylvania New Jersey

Academics
Popular study areas	Public Administration and Social Service Computer and Information Science Foreign Languages and Literatures Social Sciences Biological and Biomedical Sciences	Business Health Professions Engineering Social Sciences Education
Students to faculty ratio	9:1	15:1
Institutional accreditation	New England Commission on Higher Education	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome
Graduation rate	85.2%	93.7%
Dropout rate	6.1%	2.3%
Transferred out	8.8%	3.6%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $57,856 Year 2: $42,235 Year 3: $63,453 Area Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $36,115 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A Area Studies (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $45,827 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A Engineering, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $68,750 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $41,078 Year 2: $43,128 Year 3: N/A Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $35,376 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A Neurobiology and Neurosciences (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $37,188 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $44,657 Year 2: N/A Year 3: N/A Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $32,400 Year 2: $43,798 Year 3: N/A Public Policy Analysis (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $50,564 Year 2: $47,260 Year 3: N/A	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 key differences in location and campus environment between Trinity College and the University of Virginia (UVA)?

Trinity College is located in Hartford, Connecticut, a smaller city with a more intimate campus feel. UVA, on the other hand, is situated in Charlottesville, Virginia, a city with a more vibrant cultural scene, and its campus is known for its historic architecture and larger size, offering a more expansive environment.
How do the academic programs and offerings compare at Trinity College and UVA?

Both Trinity College and UVA offer a wide range of academic programs. UVA, being a larger university, generally has a broader selection of majors and graduate programs. Trinity, while smaller, emphasizes a strong liberal arts foundation with a focus on close student-faculty interaction and interdisciplinary studies. UVA also has a strong emphasis on research opportunities.
What is the student body like at Trinity College versus UVA?

Trinity College has a smaller student body, fostering a close-knit community where students often know each other well. UVA has a significantly larger student population, providing a more diverse student body and a wider range of social and extracurricular opportunities. Both schools attract high-achieving students, but the social dynamics and campus culture differ considerably due to the size difference.
How does the cost of attendance compare between Trinity College and UVA?

The cost of attendance, including tuition, fees, room, and board, can vary. Generally, private institutions like Trinity College tend to have a higher sticker price than public universities like UVA, especially for out-of-state students. However, both schools offer financial aid and scholarships to help make education more affordable. It's best to check the specific financial aid packages offered by each institution based on your individual circumstances.
What are the strengths of Trinity College?

Trinity College excels in providing a strong liberal arts education with a focus on personalized attention, small class sizes, and a close-knit community. It offers a vibrant campus life with numerous extracurricular activities and a strong emphasis on undergraduate research and experiential learning. Its location in Hartford provides access to various internship and career opportunities.
What are the strengths of the University of Virginia?

UVA is renowned for its strong academic reputation, particularly in its undergraduate and graduate programs. It boasts a beautiful and historic campus, a wide array of academic and research opportunities, and a diverse student body. UVA also offers a robust social scene and a strong alumni network, providing excellent career prospects for its graduates.
How does the campus culture differ between Trinity College and UVA?

Trinity College fosters a more intimate and collaborative campus culture, with a strong emphasis on community and student involvement. UVA has a more traditional college experience with a vibrant social scene, a strong emphasis on traditions, and a wide range of student organizations and activities. Both schools offer a supportive environment, but the scale and social dynamics differ significantly.
What are the career services and opportunities like at Trinity College and UVA?

Both Trinity College and UVA offer comprehensive career services to help students with internships, job searches, and career planning. UVA, with its larger alumni network and broader industry connections, may offer a wider range of opportunities in certain fields. Trinity College, however, provides personalized career advising and strong connections within the Hartford area, particularly in fields like finance and government.
How do the admission requirements compare for Trinity College and UVA?

Both Trinity College and UVA are highly selective institutions. Admission requirements typically include a strong academic record, standardized test scores (though test-optional policies may be in place), letters of recommendation, and a well-crafted application essay. The specific requirements and emphasis on different aspects of the application may vary slightly, so it's important to review the admissions websites of both schools for the most up-to-date information.
Which college is a better fit for me: Trinity College or UVA?

The best fit depends on your individual preferences and goals. If you thrive in a close-knit community with personalized attention and a strong liberal arts focus, Trinity College might be a better choice. If you prefer a larger university with a wider range of academic programs, a vibrant social scene, and extensive research opportunities, UVA could be a better fit. Consider visiting both campuses, if possible, and researching the specific programs and opportunities that align with your interests.

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