Virginia vs North Carolina - 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 (#201-300 vs #35). 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 Virginia for: higher graduate earnings, a higher graduation rate, higher retention.
Choose North Carolina for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, lower tuition.
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 | Virginia | North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #201-300 | #35 |
| Rank · THE | - | #70 |
| Acceptance rate | 16.81% | 15.34% |
| Yield rate | 40% | 45.5% |
| Median SAT | 1470 | 1470 |
| Avg. GPA | - | 4.49 |
| Number of applications | 58,951 | 66,535 |
| International students | 4.9% | 6.4% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $87K | $72K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $59K | $48K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $130K | $112K |
| Graduation rate | 95.6% | 91.2% |
| Retention rate | 97.9% | 96.6% |
| Median debt | $17,500 | $14,000 |
| Tuition · year | $62,923 | $45,228 |
| Avg. aid package | $37,123 | $20,705 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $25,137 | $20,382 |
| Application fee | $75 | $85 |
| Enrollment | 26,470 | 32,680 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Virginia or North Carolina?
It's harder to get into North Carolina. Virginia accepts 16.81% of applicants, while North Carolina accepts 15.34%.
Do Virginia or North Carolina graduates earn more?
Virginia graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $87K vs $72K.
How much is tuition at Virginia vs North Carolina?
Sticker-price tuition is $62,923 per year at Virginia and $45,228 per year at North Carolina.
What SAT score do you need for Virginia or North Carolina?
The median admitted SAT score is 1470 at Virginia and 1470 at North Carolina; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Virginia or North Carolina?
North Carolina ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #201-300 for Virginia vs #35 for North Carolina.
Which university offers more financial aid - Virginia or North Carolina?
The average aid package is $37,123 at Virginia and $20,705 at North Carolina.
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