University of Virginia-Main Campus (UVA) vs Clemson University

Envision yourself immersed in the vibrant college towns of Charlottesville, Virginia, and Clemson, South Carolina, home to the esteemed University of Virginia-Main Campus and Clemson University, respectively. While both institutions share a commitment to academic excellence, they offer distinct experiences. UVA boasts a lower acceptance rate, attracting a diverse student body from across the nation and the globe. Clemson, on the other hand, prides itself on its strong sense of community and rich traditions. Explore the nuances of each university's popular majors, graduation rates, and student demographics in the comprehensive comparison table below to discover which aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Clemson University	University of Virginia-Main Campus
Overview
Location	Clemson, South Carolina	Charlottesville, Virginia
Campus setting	Suburb: Large	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	94.0%	97.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	49.2%	20.7%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $70 Graduate: $80	Undergraduate: $75 Graduate: $85
SAT range	1220 - 1420	1380 - 1500
ACT range	27 - 32	32 - 35
Students submitting SAT score	40.0%	52.0%
Students submitting ACT score	30.0%	21.0%
Total number of applicants	47,007	47,971
Total number of admissions given out	23,138	9,951
Admitted students who chose to enroll	4,593	3,889
Yield rate	19.9%	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: $34,164 Out of state: $57,156	In state: $36,314 Out of state: $70,696
Average net price	$23,732	$20,401
Tuition	In state: $14,118 Out of state: $37,110	In state: $16,010 Out of state: $49,710
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $7,808 Meal plan: $4,426	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)	81.0% Average amount $9,699	46.0% Average amount $19,612
Students receiving federal student loan	41.0% Average amount $5,281	25.0% Average amount $4,845
Students taking out private loans	9.0% Average amount $21,664	6.0% Average amount $11,030

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	21,653 Men 48.8% Women 51.2%	17,294 Men 43.7% Women 56.3%
Graduate students	5,688 Men 46.8% Women 53.2%	8,711 Men 46.9% Women 53.1%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	48.4%	35.2%
International students	4.8%	8.8%
Campus local/setting	Suburb: Large	Suburb: Small
Dormitory capacity	7,800	7,645
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	South Carolina North Carolina Georgia New Jersey New York	Virginia New York Maryland Pennsylvania New Jersey

Academics
Popular study areas	Engineering Business Education Health Professions Agriculture	Business Health Professions Engineering Social Sciences Education
Students to faculty ratio	16:1	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	85.5%	93.7%
Dropout rate	2.3%	2.3%
Transferred out	11.3%	3.6%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $78,776 Year 2: $90,762 Year 3: $98,373 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $63,762 Year 2: $69,079 Year 3: $82,921 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $74,898 Year 2: $74,262 Year 3: $80,104 Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $70,368 Year 2: $74,721 Year 3: $78,362 Industrial Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $65,182 Year 2: $68,592 Year 3: $76,236 Public Administration (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $69,048 Year 2: $64,493 Year 3: $76,070 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $66,632 Year 2: $67,995 Year 3: $74,017 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $66,398 Year 2: $66,673 Year 3: $73,905 Engineering-Related Fields (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $65,136 Year 2: $66,206 Year 3: $73,720 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $66,228 Year 2: $67,101 Year 3: $73,643	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 academic focus between UVA and Clemson?

UVA excels in liberal arts, law, medicine, and business, offering a broad range of highly ranked programs. Clemson, while also having strong liberal arts offerings, is particularly renowned for its engineering, science, and agriculture programs. Consider your intended major and which university has a stronger reputation and resources in that field.
How do the campus environments and locations compare?

UVA is located in Charlottesville, Virginia, a city steeped in history with a vibrant arts and culture scene. The campus is known for its Jeffersonian architecture and intellectual atmosphere. Clemson is situated in Clemson, South Carolina, a smaller college town near the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, offering a more outdoorsy and close-knit community feel. The pace of life is generally slower in Clemson compared to Charlottesville.
What is the difference in student body size and composition?

UVA has a larger student body overall, with a significant graduate student population. Clemson is somewhat smaller, with a greater proportion of undergraduate students. Both universities attract students from across the country and internationally, but UVA tends to draw a slightly larger percentage of students from the Mid-Atlantic region, while Clemson has a stronger presence in the Southeast.
How do the costs of attending UVA and Clemson compare?

Generally, UVA, especially for out-of-state students, tends to be more expensive than Clemson. However, costs can vary significantly depending on residency status, financial aid packages, and specific programs. It's crucial to compare the net cost (cost after financial aid) at both institutions based on your individual circumstances.
What are the athletic cultures like at UVA and Clemson?

Both UVA and Clemson have strong athletic programs and passionate fan bases. UVA competes in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and has achieved national success in sports like basketball, lacrosse, and baseball. Clemson is also in the ACC and is particularly known for its football program, which has won multiple national championships. Expect a lively and spirited atmosphere at sporting events at both universities.
What are the career services and internship opportunities like at each university?

Both UVA and Clemson offer comprehensive career services, including career counseling, resume workshops, and job fairs. UVA's location near Washington D.C. provides access to internships and job opportunities in government, law, and policy. Clemson's strong industry connections, particularly in engineering and manufacturing, offer excellent internship and job prospects in those fields. Both universities have strong alumni networks that can be valuable for career advancement.
How do the academic reputations of UVA and Clemson compare?

UVA is consistently ranked among the top public universities in the United States and is highly regarded for its academic rigor and faculty. Clemson has been steadily rising in the rankings and is recognized for its strong programs in engineering, science, and agriculture. Both universities offer a high-quality education, but UVA generally has a slightly higher overall academic reputation, particularly in the humanities and social sciences.
What is the social scene like at UVA versus Clemson?

UVA's social scene is characterized by a mix of academic pursuits, extracurricular activities, and a vibrant Greek life. Charlottesville offers a variety of restaurants, bars, and music venues. Clemson's social scene is more centered around campus life and outdoor activities, with a strong emphasis on school spirit and traditions. The smaller town environment fosters a close-knit community feel.
What are some unique aspects of UVA that Clemson doesn't offer?

UVA boasts the Academical Village, a UNESCO World Heritage Site designed by Thomas Jefferson, which serves as a central gathering place and symbol of the university's history and values. UVA also has a strong tradition of student self-governance and a highly selective Jefferson Scholars program. The proximity to Washington D.C. provides unique opportunities for internships and research in government and policy.
What are some unique aspects of Clemson that UVA doesn't offer?

Clemson is known for its strong emphasis on hands-on learning and research opportunities, particularly in engineering and science. The university's location near the Blue Ridge Mountains provides ample opportunities for outdoor recreation. Clemson also has a distinctive culture of school spirit and traditions, such as the First Friday Parade and the Tiger Rag.

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