University of Virginia-Main Campus (UVA) vs University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB)

When it comes to higher education, the University of Virginia-Main Campus and the University of Alabama at Birmingham stand out as two distinct institutions with unique offerings. With an acceptance rate of 26%, UVA-Main Campus is more selective than UAB, which boasts a 71% acceptance rate. While both universities offer a diverse range of undergraduate programs, UVA-Main Campus is known for its strengths in liberal arts and sciences, while UAB excels in health professions and engineering. The student body demographics also differ, with UVA-Main Campus having a higher percentage of white students (62%) compared to UAB's more diverse student population (44% white, 38% Black or African American). In terms of graduation rates, UVA-Main Campus has a slightly higher rate (89%) compared to UAB (83%). To help you make an informed decision about your academic journey, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison table that delves into these aspects and more. Explore the table

	University of Alabama at Birmingham	University of Virginia-Main Campus
Overview
Location	Birmingham, Alabama	Charlottesville, Virginia
Campus setting	City: Midsize	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	84.0%	97.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	88.5%	20.7%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $40 Graduate: $50	Undergraduate: $75 Graduate: $85
SAT range	1173 - 1388	1380 - 1500
ACT range	23 - 30	32 - 35
Students submitting SAT score	7.0%	52.0%
Students submitting ACT score	65.0%	21.0%
Total number of applicants	11,906	47,971
Total number of admissions given out	10,541	9,951
Admitted students who chose to enroll	2,415	3,889
Yield rate	22.9%	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)	Not required	Not required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $27,630 Out of state: $39,462	In state: $36,314 Out of state: $70,696
Average net price	$16,990	$20,401
Tuition	In state: $8,568 Out of state: $20,400	In state: $16,010 Out of state: $49,710
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $7,767 Meal plan: $4,540	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)	93.0% Average amount $10,940	46.0% Average amount $19,612
Students receiving federal student loan	46.0% Average amount $5,208	25.0% Average amount $4,845
Students taking out private loans	5.0% Average amount $14,247	6.0% Average amount $11,030

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	13,547 Men 37.9% Women 62.1%	17,294 Men 43.7% Women 56.3%
Graduate students	8,742 Men 34.1% Women 65.9%	8,711 Men 46.9% Women 53.1%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	16.8%	35.2%
International students	5.0%	8.8%
Campus local/setting	City: Midsize	Suburb: Small
Dormitory capacity	3,480	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 Tennessee Louisiana Florida	Virginia New York Maryland Pennsylvania New Jersey

Academics
Popular study areas	Health Professions Business Education Biological and Biomedical Sciences Engineering	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	62.4%	93.7%
Dropout rate	16.5%	2.3%
Transferred out	17.9%	3.6%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences (Graduate/Professional Certificates) Year 1: $158,993 Year 2: $169,894 Year 3: $175,573 Dentistry (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $100,128 Year 2: $111,769 Year 3: $139,245 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $117,171 Year 2: $130,034 Year 3: $128,873 Systems Science and Theory (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $67,948 Year 2: $122,038 Year 3: $123,089 Optometry (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $91,176 Year 2: $96,457 Year 3: $107,084 Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $98,582 Year 2: $99,737 Year 3: $105,689 Health and Medical Administrative Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $89,298 Year 2: $89,564 Year 3: $99,770 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $91,552 Year 2: $95,215 Year 3: $98,530 Management Information Systems and Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $78,497 Year 2: $84,653 Year 3: $94,486 Engineering, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $85,743 Year 2: $88,820 Year 3: $90,200	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 location and campus environment between the University of Virginia (UVA) and the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB)?

UVA is located in Charlottesville, Virginia, a historic city nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The campus is known for its beautiful architecture, particularly the Academical Village designed by Thomas Jefferson, and a strong sense of tradition. UAB is situated in Birmingham, Alabama, a major metropolitan area. The UAB campus is more modern and urban, integrated within the city's downtown area, offering easy access to a variety of cultural and entertainment options.
How do the academic programs compare at UVA and UAB?

Both universities offer a wide range of academic programs. UVA is particularly strong in humanities, law, medicine, and engineering, with a highly selective admissions process. UAB excels in health sciences, medicine, and engineering, and is known for its research-intensive environment, especially in biomedical fields. UAB also has a strong focus on community engagement and public health initiatives.
What is the cost of attendance like at UVA versus UAB?

The cost of attendance varies depending on residency status. Generally, UVA has higher tuition and fees for out-of-state students compared to UAB. However, both universities offer financial aid and scholarship opportunities to help make education more affordable. It's recommended to check the specific tuition and fee schedules on each university's website for the most up-to-date information.
How would you describe the student life and extracurricular activities at UVA and UAB?

UVA offers a vibrant student life with a strong emphasis on traditions, such as the Honor Code and the Lawn. There are numerous student organizations, fraternities and sororities, and a lively social scene. UAB provides a diverse student life experience with a focus on community involvement and a growing number of student organizations. UAB's location in Birmingham provides easy access to a variety of cultural events, sporting events, and entertainment options.
How do the research opportunities differ at UVA and UAB?

Both universities are research-focused institutions. UVA has a strong research presence across various disciplines, with significant funding in areas like medicine, engineering, and the humanities. UAB is particularly renowned for its research in medicine, biomedical sciences, and public health, and is a major research institution in the Southeast. UAB also has a strong emphasis on translational research, aiming to bring discoveries from the lab to the patient.
What are the athletic programs like at UVA and UAB?

UVA competes in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and has a strong athletic program, particularly in sports like basketball, football, and lacrosse. UAB competes in Conference USA and has a growing athletic program, with notable success in sports like football and basketball. Both universities offer a variety of intramural and club sports for students.
What are the admission requirements and selectivity like at UVA and UAB?

UVA is a highly selective university, with rigorous admission requirements, including strong academic records, standardized test scores (though test-optional policies may be in place), and extracurricular involvement. UAB's admission requirements are also competitive, but generally less selective than UVA. UAB considers a holistic review of applicants, including academic performance, standardized test scores (if submitted), and other factors such as extracurricular activities and essays.
How does the career support and alumni network differ between UVA and UAB?

Both universities offer robust career services to assist students with career planning, internships, and job placement. UVA has a well-established alumni network, providing extensive networking opportunities and career support. UAB also has a growing alumni network, particularly strong in the healthcare and biomedical fields, offering valuable connections for students and graduates.
Which university is better for pre-med students, UVA or UAB?

Both UVA and UAB offer excellent pre-med programs. UAB is particularly strong in the health sciences and has a highly regarded medical school, providing extensive opportunities for research and clinical experience. UVA also has a strong pre-med program and a well-regarded medical school. The best choice depends on individual preferences, research interests, and desired campus environment. Consider factors like research opportunities, clinical exposure, and the overall culture of the medical school.
How do the campus cultures differ at UVA and UAB?

UVA is known for its strong traditions, honor code, and a close-knit community. The campus culture emphasizes intellectual curiosity and a sense of history. UAB has a more diverse and urban campus culture, with a focus on community engagement, innovation, and a strong emphasis on health sciences and research. The culture is generally more modern and less steeped in historical traditions compared to UVA.

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