Emory vs Virginia - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Emory admits 10.3% of applicants, while Virginia admits 16.8%.
The larger international cohort belongs to Emory: 16.7% of students against 4.9% (Virginia).
Virginia reports no financial aid for international students, while Emory awards them $54,457 on average. For an applicant from outside the US that is usually the most important difference on this page.
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Emory lists $90,574 against $80,859 (Virginia), but after average aid what remains is $23,245 against $43,736.
The indicators describe a university as a whole, and your own course can sit a long way from that average.
Every sentence above comes from a field we hold in canonical. Where the data is missing, or the gap is small enough to be noise, the sentence simply does not appear.
EXPERT TAKE
Emory is the more selective of the two (10.29% vs 16.81% acceptance). Emory ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#101-150 vs #201-300). Virginia graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($87K vs $80K). Virginia has lower sticker-price tuition ($62,923 vs $68,056 per year).
Both universities have complete, comparable data in canonical - the choice should come down to fit (campus culture, major, aid package) alongside the differences visible in the numbers below.
Choose Emory for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, a larger aid package.
Choose Virginia for: higher graduate earnings, a higher graduation rate, higher retention.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Emory is more selective (10.29% vs 16.81% acceptance); Emory has a higher median SAT (1510 vs 1470).
Virginia graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($87K vs $80K); Virginia has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.6% vs 91.1%).
Virginia has lower sticker-price tuition ($62,923 vs $68,056); Emory offers a larger average aid package ($67,329 vs $37,123).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Emory | Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #101-150 | #201-300 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 10.29% | 16.81% |
| Yield rate | 40.4% | 40% |
| Median SAT | 1510 | 1470 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.84 | - |
| Number of applications | 34,614 | 58,951 |
| International students | 16.7% | 4.9% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $80K | $87K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $58K | $59K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $120K | $130K |
| Graduation rate | 91.1% | 95.6% |
| Retention rate | 96% | 97.9% |
| Median debt | $18,250 | $17,500 |
| Tuition · year | $68,056 | $62,923 |
| Avg. aid package | $67,329 | $37,123 |
| % of need met | 99.9% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $24,562 | $25,137 |
| Application fee | $75 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 15,179 | 26,470 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Emory or Virginia?
It's harder to get into Emory. Emory accepts 10.29% of applicants, while Virginia accepts 16.81%.
Do Emory or Virginia graduates earn more?
Virginia graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $87K vs $80K.
How much is tuition at Emory vs Virginia?
Sticker-price tuition is $68,056 per year at Emory and $62,923 per year at Virginia.
What SAT score do you need for Emory or Virginia?
The median admitted SAT score is 1510 at Emory and 1470 at Virginia; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Emory or Virginia?
Emory ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #101-150 for Emory vs #201-300 for Virginia.
Which university offers more financial aid - Emory or Virginia?
The average aid package is $67,329 at Emory and $37,123 at Virginia.
Harvard
Stanford
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Princeton
Yale
Cornell
Penn
Johns Hopkins
Washington University
Northwestern