University of Virginia-Main Campus (UVA) vs Auburn

Envision yourself immersed in the vibrant college towns of Charlottesville, Virginia, and Auburn, Alabama, home to the esteemed University of Virginia-Main Campus and Auburn University, respectively. While both institutions share a commitment to academic excellence, they offer distinct experiences shaped by their unique characteristics. Dive into our comprehensive comparison to uncover the nuances that set these universities apart. Explore the contrasting acceptance rates, delve into the diverse range of popular majors, discover the vibrant student body demographics, and compare the remarkable graduation rates. Our side-by-side analysis empowers you to make an informed decision, ensuring you find the perfect academic haven that aligns with your aspirations and goals.

	Auburn University	University of Virginia-Main Campus
Overview
Location	Auburn, Alabama	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	93.0%	97.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	71.2%	20.7%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $60	Undergraduate: $75 Graduate: $85
SAT range	N/A	1380 - 1500
ACT range	N/A	32 - 35
Students submitting SAT score		52.0%
Students submitting ACT score		21.0%
Total number of applicants	27,619	47,971
Total number of admissions given out	19,660	9,951
Admitted students who chose to enroll	5,311	3,889
Yield rate	27.0%	39.1%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	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: $33,650 Out of state: $53,810	In state: $36,314 Out of state: $70,696
Average net price	$23,873	$20,401
Tuition	In state: $10,080 Out of state: $30,240	In state: $16,010 Out of state: $49,710
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $8,892 Meal plan: $5,704	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)	69.0% Average amount $10,448	46.0% Average amount $19,612
Students receiving federal student loan	27.0% Average amount $5,232	25.0% Average amount $4,845
Students taking out private loans	5.0% Average amount $24,894	6.0% Average amount $11,030

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	24,931 Men 50.5% Women 49.5%	17,294 Men 43.7% Women 56.3%
Graduate students	6,595 Men 46.7% Women 53.3%	8,711 Men 46.9% Women 53.1%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Very Low	Low
Out-of-state students	43.6%	35.2%
International students	7.0%	8.8%
Campus local/setting	City: Small	Suburb: Small
Dormitory capacity	4,823	7,645
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Alabama Georgia Florida Tennessee Texas	Virginia New York Maryland Pennsylvania New Jersey

Academics
Popular study areas	Engineering Education Health Professions Business Agriculture	Business Health Professions Engineering Social Sciences Education
Students to faculty ratio	20:1	15:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome
Graduation rate	80.9%	93.7%
Dropout rate	4.4%	2.3%
Transferred out	13.0%	3.6%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $109,330 Year 2: $119,954 Year 3: $122,981 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $106,330 Year 2: $114,892 Year 3: $119,917 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $90,962 Year 2: $93,520 Year 3: $96,107 Veterinary Medicine (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $80,045 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $94,852 Architectural Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $72,488 Year 2: $70,456 Year 3: $86,080 Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $75,285 Year 2: $74,576 Year 3: $83,134 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,127 Year 2: $68,778 Year 3: $77,684 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $72,274 Year 2: $65,753 Year 3: $75,817 Industrial Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $66,558 Year 2: $65,170 Year 3: $75,401 Real Estate Development (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $70,456 Year 3: $74,364	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 between the University of Virginia (UVA) and Auburn University?

UVA, located in Charlottesville, Virginia, is a highly selective public research university known for its strong liberal arts programs, historic architecture designed by Thomas Jefferson, and a vibrant student culture centered around the Honor Code. Auburn University, situated in Auburn, Alabama, is a public land-grant university renowned for its engineering, agriculture, and business programs, as well as its strong school spirit and SEC athletic traditions. UVA tends to have a more academically focused atmosphere, while Auburn emphasizes a blend of academics and a spirited campus life.
Which university is more selective in admissions: UVA or Auburn?

UVA is significantly more selective than Auburn. UVA's acceptance rate is considerably lower, and admitted students typically have higher standardized test scores and GPAs. Auburn, while still competitive, generally admits a larger percentage of applicants.
How do the academic reputations of UVA and Auburn compare?

Both UVA and Auburn have strong academic reputations, but they excel in different areas. UVA is consistently ranked among the top public universities in the nation, particularly for its liberal arts, law, and business programs. Auburn is highly regarded for its engineering, agriculture, architecture, and veterinary medicine programs. The best choice depends on your specific academic interests.
What is the campus environment like at UVA versus Auburn?

UVA's campus is known for its historic beauty, featuring Jeffersonian architecture and a more traditional, academically focused atmosphere. The Honor Code plays a central role in student life. Auburn's campus has a more modern feel, with a strong emphasis on school spirit and SEC athletics. There's a greater sense of community and tradition centered around sporting events and campus activities.
How do the costs of attending UVA and Auburn compare?

The cost of attendance varies depending on residency. For in-state students, UVA and Auburn may have similar tuition costs, though this can fluctuate. However, for out-of-state students, UVA tends to be more expensive than Auburn. Be sure to check the most recent tuition and fees on each university's website for the most accurate information.
What types of programs are UVA and Auburn particularly known for?

UVA is renowned for its programs in law, business, medicine, public policy, and the humanities. Auburn is highly regarded for its engineering, architecture, agriculture, veterinary medicine, and business programs, particularly supply chain management.
What is the student life like at UVA and Auburn?

UVA offers a diverse range of extracurricular activities, including student government, clubs, and organizations. The Honor Code fosters a strong sense of community and responsibility. Auburn's student life is heavily influenced by its SEC athletic traditions, with a strong emphasis on school spirit and campus events. There are also numerous clubs, organizations, and Greek life opportunities.
What are the career opportunities like for graduates of UVA and Auburn?

Graduates from both UVA and Auburn have access to a wide range of career opportunities. UVA's strong academic reputation and location near Washington, D.C., provide access to opportunities in government, law, finance, and consulting. Auburn's strong engineering and business programs lead to opportunities in technology, manufacturing, and agriculture, particularly in the Southeast.
How does the location of UVA and Auburn affect the student experience?

UVA is located in Charlottesville, Virginia, a vibrant college town with a rich history and cultural scene. Its proximity to the Blue Ridge Mountains offers outdoor recreational opportunities. Auburn University is located in Auburn, Alabama, a smaller college town with a strong sense of community. The warmer climate and proximity to other Southern cities offer different lifestyle advantages.
What are the research opportunities like at UVA and Auburn?

Both UVA and Auburn are research universities, offering numerous opportunities for students to get involved in research. UVA has a strong emphasis on research across a wide range of disciplines, including medicine, engineering, and the humanities. Auburn is particularly strong in engineering, agriculture, and veterinary medicine research.

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