University of Virginia-Main Campus (UVA) vs University of Connecticut (UConn)

When it comes to choosing the right university, it's essential to compare institutions to find the best fit. The University of Virginia-Main Campus and the University of Connecticut are two distinct universities with unique offerings. With acceptance rates of 26% and 48%, respectively, they cater to different levels of academic competitiveness. While UVA boasts popular majors in Engineering, Biology, and Economics, UConn excels in Business, Engineering, and Psychology. Explore the comparison table to delve into further details on student body demographics, graduation rates, and other key factors that set these universities apart. Discover which institution aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	University of Connecticut	University of Virginia-Main Campus
Overview
Location	Storrs, Connecticut	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	92.0%	97.0%
Common app member	No	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	55.6%	20.7%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $80 Graduate: $75	Undergraduate: $75 Graduate: $85
SAT range	1230 - 1430	1380 - 1500
ACT range	27 - 33	32 - 35
Students submitting SAT score	43.0%	52.0%
Students submitting ACT score	7.0%	21.0%
Total number of applicants	36,753	47,971
Total number of admissions given out	20,433	9,951
Admitted students who chose to enroll	3,663	3,889
Yield rate	17.9%	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: $37,266 Out of state: $59,934	In state: $36,314 Out of state: $70,696
Average net price	$22,168	$20,401
Tuition	In state: $15,030 Out of state: $37,698	In state: $16,010 Out of state: $49,710
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $7,238 Meal plan: $6,020	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 $15,801	46.0% Average amount $19,612
Students receiving federal student loan	35.0% Average amount $5,247	25.0% Average amount $4,845
Students taking out private loans	5.0% Average amount $21,780	6.0% Average amount $11,030

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	18,567 Men 47.6% Women 52.4%	17,294 Men 43.7% Women 56.3%
Graduate students	8,309 Men 45.1% Women 54.9%	8,711 Men 46.9% Women 53.1%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Low
Out-of-state students	35.3%	35.2%
International students	12.3%	8.8%
Campus local/setting	Suburb: Large	Suburb: Small
Dormitory capacity	10,792	7,645
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Connecticut Mississippi New York New Jersey New Hampshire	Virginia New York Maryland Pennsylvania New Jersey

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

Outcome
Graduation rate	83.1%	93.7%
Dropout rate	6.7%	2.3%
Transferred out	9.5%	3.6%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Dentistry (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $80,915 Year 2: $95,473 Year 3: $146,595 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $102,306 Year 2: $106,249 Year 3: $123,588 Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $85,391 Year 2: $115,339 Year 3: $122,969 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $106,347 Year 2: $105,392 Year 3: $111,865 Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $93,087 Year 2: $89,859 Year 3: $106,919 Engineering, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $92,556 Year 2: $89,144 Year 3: $95,923 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $71,033 Year 2: $79,473 Year 3: $92,299 Biomedical/Medical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $78,037 Year 2: $77,715 Year 3: $89,989 Educational Administration and Supervision (Graduate/Professional Certificates) Year 1: $78,073 Year 2: $86,621 Year 3: $88,550 Psychology, General (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $59,124 Year 3: $87,936	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 Connecticut (UConn)?

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, a UNESCO World Heritage site. UVA offers a more traditional, Southern collegiate experience with a strong emphasis on history and tradition. UConn, on the other hand, is situated in Storrs, Connecticut, a more rural setting. The campus is expansive, with a mix of modern and older buildings. UConn provides a more typical New England college experience, with a focus on a strong sense of community and a more diverse student body.
How do the academic programs at UVA and UConn compare?

Both UVA and UConn are highly regarded research universities, but they have different strengths. UVA is particularly strong in its humanities, law, and business programs. It also has a well-regarded engineering school. UConn excels in engineering, business, and allied health programs, including nursing and pharmacy. UConn also has a strong reputation in agricultural sciences. Both universities offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, but the specific areas of excellence differ.
What is the cost of attendance at UVA versus UConn?

The cost of attendance varies depending on residency status. Generally, UVA is more expensive for out-of-state students than UConn. However, both universities offer financial aid and scholarships to help offset the cost of tuition, fees, room, and board. It's recommended to check the specific tuition and fee schedules on each university's website for the most up-to-date information and to explore financial aid options.
How would you describe the student life and extracurricular activities at UVA and UConn?

Student life at UVA is characterized by a strong sense of tradition, with many student-run organizations and a vibrant social scene. UVA has a robust Greek life and a focus on student self-governance. UConn offers a more diverse and inclusive student life, with a wide variety of clubs, organizations, and activities. UConn is known for its strong athletic programs, particularly basketball, which play a significant role in campus culture. Both universities offer a wide range of extracurricular activities, catering to diverse interests.
How do the admission requirements and selectivity differ between UVA and UConn?

Both UVA and UConn are selective universities, but UVA is generally considered more selective, particularly for out-of-state applicants. UVA typically has higher average SAT/ACT scores and a more competitive applicant pool. Both universities consider a holistic review of applications, including academic performance, extracurricular activities, essays, and letters of recommendation. Admission requirements, such as standardized test score policies, can change, so it's important to check the most current information on each university's admissions website.
What are the career services and opportunities available to students at UVA and UConn?

Both UVA and UConn offer comprehensive career services to help students with career exploration, resume writing, interviewing skills, and job placement. UVA's career services often leverage its strong alumni network, particularly in fields like law, business, and government. UConn's career services have strong connections with employers in the Northeast, particularly in engineering, healthcare, and business. Both universities host career fairs and provide resources for internships and job searches.
How does the research environment differ at UVA and UConn?

Both universities are major research institutions, but their research focuses differ. UVA has a strong emphasis on humanities, law, and medicine research, with significant funding in these areas. UConn excels in engineering, biomedical sciences, and agricultural research. Both universities provide ample opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to participate in research projects, including access to state-of-the-art facilities and mentorship from faculty.
What are the housing options like at UVA and UConn?

Both universities offer a variety of on-campus housing options, including traditional dorms, suites, and apartments. UVA's housing is often integrated with the Academical Village, providing a unique living experience. UConn has a more modern housing infrastructure, with a range of options to suit different preferences and budgets. Both universities also offer off-campus housing options for students who prefer to live independently.
How would you compare the diversity and inclusivity efforts at UVA and UConn?

Both universities are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment. UConn generally has a more diverse student body, reflecting the demographics of the Northeast. Both universities have various programs and initiatives to support students from underrepresented backgrounds, including cultural centers, diversity training, and student organizations. UVA has been actively working to increase diversity and inclusion in recent years.
What are the athletic programs like at UVA and UConn?

Both universities have strong athletic programs. UVA is a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and has a successful athletic program across various sports, including basketball, football, and soccer. UConn is a member of the Big East Conference for basketball and the Big Ten Conference for football and other sports. UConn is particularly known for its dominant men's and women's basketball programs. Both universities offer a wide range of intramural and club sports for students who want to participate in athletics at a less competitive level.

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