University of Virginia-Main Campus (UVA) vs The University of Alabama (UA)

Envision yourself immersed in the vibrant college towns of Charlottesville, Virginia, and Tuscaloosa, Alabama, home to the esteemed University of Virginia-Main Campus and The University of Alabama, respectively. While both institutions share a commitment to academic excellence, they offer distinct experiences shaped by their unique histories, cultures, and student bodies. Dive into our comprehensive comparison to uncover the nuances that set these universities apart. Explore the contrasting acceptance rates, discover the popular majors that reflect each institution's strengths, delve into the diverse student demographics that contribute to their vibrant campus communities, and compare the graduation rates that speak to their commitment to student success. Our side-by-side analysis empowers you to make an informed decision, ensuring you find the perfect academic and social environment to thrive in your pursuit of higher education.

	The University of Alabama	University of Virginia-Main Campus
Overview
Location	Tuscaloosa, 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	89.0%	97.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	78.9%	20.7%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $40 Graduate: $65	Undergraduate: $75 Graduate: $85
SAT range	1070 - 1370	1380 - 1500
ACT range	21 - 31	32 - 35
Students submitting SAT score	17.0%	52.0%
Students submitting ACT score	63.0%	21.0%
Total number of applicants	42,421	47,971
Total number of admissions given out	33,472	9,951
Admitted students who chose to enroll	7,593	3,889
Yield rate	22.7%	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: $31,024 Out of state: $50,494	In state: $36,314 Out of state: $70,696
Average net price	$21,263	$20,401
Tuition	In state: $10,780 Out of state: $30,250	In state: $16,010 Out of state: $49,710
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $5,900 Meal plan: $4,234	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)	76.0% Average amount $16,363	46.0% Average amount $19,612
Students receiving federal student loan	37.0% Average amount $5,221	25.0% Average amount $4,845
Students taking out private loans	9.0% Average amount $23,617	6.0% Average amount $11,030

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	31,685 Men 43.5% Women 56.5%	17,294 Men 43.7% Women 56.3%
Graduate students	6,631 Men 36.9% Women 63.1%	8,711 Men 46.9% Women 53.1%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	62.2%	35.2%
International students	3.0%	8.8%
Campus local/setting	City: Small	Suburb: Small
Dormitory capacity	9,385	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 Illinois Texas Tennessee	Virginia New York Maryland Pennsylvania New Jersey

Academics
Popular study areas	Health Professions Business Engineering Family and Consumer Sciences Education	Business Health Professions Engineering Social Sciences Education
Students to faculty ratio	19:1	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	72.2%	93.7%
Dropout rate	7.7%	2.3%
Transferred out	18.8%	3.6%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $104,741 Year 2: $119,061 Year 3: $121,674 Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $84,175 Year 2: $84,653 Year 3: $101,082 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $78,913 Year 2: $80,004 Year 3: $96,574 Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $80,715 Year 2: $91,744 Year 3: $89,742 Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $66,858 Year 2: $71,015 Year 3: $83,044 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $65,725 Year 2: $75,832 Year 3: $82,831 Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $75,975 Year 2: $75,921 Year 3: $82,382 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $93,535 Year 2: $90,412 Year 3: $81,427 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $65,760 Year 2: $65,281 Year 3: $76,647 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $62,913 Year 2: $60,771 Year 3: $76,479	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 the University of Virginia (UVA) and the University of Alabama (UA)?

UVA is located in Charlottesville, Virginia, a historic city with a strong academic atmosphere and proximity to the Blue Ridge Mountains. The campus features iconic architecture and a more traditional, collegiate feel. UA is situated in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, a city with a growing economy and a vibrant college town atmosphere. UA's campus is known for its expansive green spaces and a strong sense of community, particularly around its athletic programs.
How do the academic reputations of UVA and UA compare?

Both universities are highly regarded. UVA consistently ranks among the top public universities in the United States, known for its strong humanities, law, and business programs. UA has experienced significant growth in its academic reputation, particularly in areas like engineering, communications, and business. While UVA generally has a slightly higher overall ranking, UA offers excellent programs and opportunities for academic success.
What are the typical student body sizes and demographics at UVA and UA?

UVA has a moderately sized student body, with a focus on attracting a diverse group of students from across the United States and internationally. UA has a larger student body, reflecting its significant growth in recent years. Both universities strive for diversity, but UA's student body tends to have a larger representation from the Southeastern United States.
How do the admission requirements and selectivity differ between UVA and UA?

UVA is generally considered more selective than UA. Admission to UVA is highly competitive, requiring strong academic records, standardized test scores, and extracurricular involvement. UA's admission standards are also competitive, but the university may offer more opportunities for students with a wider range of academic profiles. Both universities consider a holistic review of applications.
What are the strengths of the undergraduate programs at UVA and UA?

UVA excels in its humanities, law, business, and engineering programs. It offers a strong liberal arts foundation and a focus on critical thinking. UA is particularly strong in its engineering, communications, business, and nursing programs. It provides a robust curriculum and a focus on practical skills and career preparation.
How do the campus cultures and social scenes compare at UVA and UA?

UVA has a more traditional campus culture with a strong emphasis on academics and student self-governance. The social scene includes a mix of on-campus events, Greek life, and activities in Charlottesville. UA is known for its vibrant campus culture, particularly its strong athletic programs, especially football. The social scene is lively, with a significant presence of Greek life and a strong sense of school spirit.
What are the costs of attendance, including tuition, fees, and living expenses, at UVA and UA?

The costs of attendance vary depending on residency status (in-state vs. out-of-state). Generally, UVA's tuition and fees are comparable to or slightly higher than UA's. Living expenses in Charlottesville and Tuscaloosa are also factors to consider. Both universities offer financial aid and scholarship opportunities to help offset the costs of attendance.
What are the career services and opportunities for internships and job placement at UVA and UA?

Both universities offer robust career services to assist students with internships and job placement. UVA's career services are well-regarded, with strong connections to employers in various fields, particularly in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. UA's career services have expanded significantly, with strong ties to employers in the Southeast and across the nation, especially in engineering, business, and communications.
How do the athletic programs and school spirit compare at UVA and UA?

UA is renowned for its highly successful athletic programs, particularly its football team, which generates immense school spirit and a strong sense of community. UVA also has competitive athletic programs, but the emphasis on athletics is generally less pronounced than at UA. UVA's school spirit is present, but it is often balanced with a focus on academics and student self-governance.
What are some of the unique traditions and aspects of campus life at UVA and UA?

UVA is known for its unique traditions, including the Lawn, the Academical Village, and the Honor Code. UA is famous for its traditions, including the Million Dollar Band, the Walk of Champions, and the strong presence of the Crimson Tide. Both universities offer a rich and engaging campus life experience.

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