UW-Madison vs University of Virginia-Main Campus (UVA)
Envision yourself immersed in the vibrant college towns of Madison, Wisconsin, or Charlottesville, Virginia, home to two esteemed institutions of higher learning: University of Wisconsin-Madison and University of Virginia-Main Campus. While both universities share a commitment to academic excellence, they offer distinct experiences. With acceptance rates of 52% and 26%, respectively, they cater to different levels of competitiveness. Explore their diverse academic offerings, ranging from popular majors like Engineering, Business, and Biology at UW-Madison to a strong focus on Liberal Arts and Sciences at UVA. Delve into the unique student body demographics, with UW-Madison's larger and more diverse student population compared to UVA's smaller and predominantly in-state student body. Discover the nuances in graduation rates, job placement statistics, and notable alumni, all presented in an easy-to-navigate comparison table. This comprehensive overview will guide you in making an informed decision about your academic journey, helping you find the perfect fit for your aspirations and
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![]() University of Virginia-Main Campus |
![]() University of Wisconsin-Madison |
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Overview |
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Location | Charlottesville, Virginia | Madison, Wisconsin |
Campus setting | Suburb: Small | City: Large |
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 | 97.0% | 95.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 20.7% | 60.4% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$75
Graduate:
$85
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Undergraduate:
$60
Graduate:
$75
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SAT range | 1380 - 1500 | 1320 - 1500 |
ACT range | 32 - 35 | 26 - 32 |
Students submitting SAT score | 52.0% | 15.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 21.0% | 55.0% |
Total number of applicants | 47,971 | 53,781 |
Total number of admissions given out | 9,951 | 32,459 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 3,889 | 8,465 |
Yield rate | 39.1% | 26.1% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Not required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$36,314
Out of state:
$70,696
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In state:
$27,418
Out of state:
$55,306
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Average net price | $20,401 | $13,484 |
Tuition |
In state:
$16,010
Out of state:
$49,710
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In state:
$9,273
Out of state:
$37,161
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$7,110
Meal plan:
$5,550
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Room/dormitory:
$7,367
Meal plan:
$4,100
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
46.0%
Average amount $19,612 |
54.0%
Average amount $10,932 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
25.0%
Average amount $4,845 |
26.0%
Average amount $5,175 |
Students taking out private loans |
6.0%
Average amount $11,030 |
6.0%
Average amount $16,550 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
17,294
Men 43.7% Women 56.3% |
34,561
Men 47.5% Women 52.5% |
Graduate students |
8,711
Men 46.9% Women 53.1% |
12,455
Men 46.6% Women 53.4% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Low
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Out-of-state students | 35.2% | 50.6% |
International students | 8.8% | 13.8% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Small | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 7,645 | 9,226 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Virginia New York Maryland Pennsylvania New Jersey | Wisconsin Illinois Minnesota California New York |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 15:1 | 17:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 93.7% | 89.2% |
Dropout rate | 2.3% | 10.0% |
Transferred out | 3.6% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Law (First Professional Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Computer Software and Media Applications (Master's Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees)
Systems Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Systems Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Public Policy Analysis (Master's Degrees)
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Finance and Financial Management Services (Master's Degrees)
Marketing (Master's Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees)
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees)
Engineering, General (Master's Degrees)
Real Estate (Master's Degrees)
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (First Professional Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Real Estate (Bachelor's Degrees)
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