North Carolina vs Virginia - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
The cheaper tuition belongs to North Carolina: $45,228 against $62,923, or $17,695 less a year.
The gap in median earnings after a decade favours Virginia: $87K against $72K.
On SAT scores this is the same calibre of applicant: 1470 and 1470.
With housing and meals included, the full cost of a year is $60,888 (North Carolina) against $80,859.
These numbers describe the cohorts already enrolled, not your chances; treat them as a starting point rather than a forecast.
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
North Carolina is the more selective of the two (15.34% vs 16.81% acceptance). North Carolina ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#35 vs #201-300). Virginia graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($87K vs $72K). North Carolina has lower sticker-price tuition ($45,228 vs $62,923 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 North Carolina for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, lower tuition.
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
North Carolina is more selective (15.34% vs 16.81% acceptance).
Virginia graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($87K vs $72K); Virginia has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.6% vs 91.2%).
North Carolina has lower sticker-price tuition ($45,228 vs $62,923); Virginia offers a larger average aid package ($37,123 vs $20,705).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | North Carolina | Virginia |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #35 | #201-300 |
| Rank · THE | #70 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 15.34% | 16.81% |
| Yield rate | 45.5% | 40% |
| Median SAT | 1470 | 1470 |
| Avg. GPA | 4.49 | - |
| Number of applications | 66,535 | 58,951 |
| International students | 6.4% | 4.9% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $72K | $87K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $48K | $59K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $112K | $130K |
| Graduation rate | 91.2% | 95.6% |
| Retention rate | 96.6% | 97.9% |
| Median debt | $14,000 | $17,500 |
| Tuition · year | $45,228 | $62,923 |
| Avg. aid package | $20,705 | $37,123 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $20,382 | $25,137 |
| Application fee | $85 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 32,680 | 26,470 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into North Carolina or Virginia?
It's harder to get into North Carolina. North Carolina accepts 15.34% of applicants, while Virginia accepts 16.81%.
Do North Carolina or Virginia graduates earn more?
Virginia graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $87K vs $72K.
How much is tuition at North Carolina vs Virginia?
Sticker-price tuition is $45,228 per year at North Carolina and $62,923 per year at Virginia.
What SAT score do you need for North Carolina or Virginia?
The median admitted SAT score is 1470 at North Carolina and 1470 at Virginia; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - North Carolina or Virginia?
North Carolina ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #35 for North Carolina vs #201-300 for Virginia.
Which university offers more financial aid - North Carolina or Virginia?
The average aid package is $20,705 at North Carolina and $37,123 at Virginia.
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