Stanford vs University of Virginia-Main Campus (UVA)

Stanford University and the University of Virginia-Main Campus, two prestigious institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Stanford, a private research university in California, boasts a highly selective admissions process with an acceptance rate of 4.7%, while UVA, a public research university in Virginia, offers a more accessible admissions process with an acceptance rate of 26.5%. Stanford's student body is smaller and more diverse, with a higher percentage of international students and a more balanced gender ratio compared to UVA. Both universities excel in academics, offering a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs. However, Stanford is known for its strength in engineering, computer science, and business, while UVA is renowned for its programs in liberal arts, public policy, and nursing. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more key differences and make an informed decision about which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Stanford University	University of Virginia-Main Campus
Overview
Location	Stanford, California	Charlottesville, Virginia
Campus setting	Suburb: Large	Suburb: Small
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Public
Calendar system	Quarter	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	98.0%	97.0%
Common app member	No	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	3.9%	20.7%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $90 Graduate: $125	Undergraduate: $75 Graduate: $85
SAT range	1470 - 1570	1380 - 1500
ACT range	34 - 35	32 - 35
Students submitting SAT score	15.0%	52.0%
Students submitting ACT score	11.0%	21.0%
Total number of applicants	55,471	47,971
Total number of admissions given out	2,190	9,951
Admitted students who chose to enroll	1,757	3,889
Yield rate	80.2%	39.1%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Not required	Not required
Recommendation letters	Required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Not required	Not required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$78,898	In state: $36,314 Out of state: $70,696
Average net price	$14,402	$20,401
Tuition	$55,473	In state: $16,010 Out of state: $49,710
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $11,166 Meal plan: $6,694	Room/dormitory: $7,110 Meal plan: $5,550
Available payment plans		Prepaid tuition plan Guaranteed tuition plan Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	61.0% Average amount $56,211	46.0% Average amount $19,612
Students receiving federal student loan	5.0% Average amount $5,151	25.0% Average amount $4,845
Students taking out private loans	1.0% Average amount $17,186	6.0% Average amount $11,030

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	7,645 Men 49.4% Women 50.6%	17,294 Men 43.7% Women 56.3%
Graduate students	10,035 Men 56.5% Women 43.5%	8,711 Men 46.9% Women 53.1%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Low
Out-of-state students	58.5%	35.2%
International students	24.4%	8.8%
Campus local/setting	Suburb: Large	Suburb: Small
Dormitory capacity	14,621	7,645
First year students are required to live on campus?	Yes	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	California Texas Washington New York Illinois	Virginia New York Maryland Pennsylvania New Jersey

Academics
Popular study areas	Engineering Computer and Information Science Business Biological and Biomedical Sciences Physical Science	Business Health Professions Engineering Social Sciences Education
Students to faculty ratio	5:1	15:1
Institutional accreditation	Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome
Graduation rate	95.5%	93.7%
Dropout rate	1.7%	2.3%
Transferred out	0.6%	3.6%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $151,574 Year 2: $170,457 Year 3: $210,837 Computer Science (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $159,729 Year 2: $168,942 Year 3: $203,193 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $164,734 Year 2: $163,337 Year 3: $187,054 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $137,457 Year 2: $150,874 Year 3: $173,548 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $136,126 Year 2: $136,499 Year 3: $165,375 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $128,556 Year 2: $135,709 Year 3: $157,500 Engineering-Related Fields (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $123,354 Year 2: $106,421 Year 3: $139,234 Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $105,326 Year 2: $111,435 Year 3: $126,185 Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $108,457 Year 2: $90,856 Year 3: $107,477 Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $60,475 Year 2: $85,391 Year 3: $104,592	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 main differences in academic focus between Stanford and UVA?

Stanford, located in the heart of Silicon Valley, is renowned for its strong emphasis on innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship. While it excels across many disciplines, its programs in engineering, computer science, and business are particularly distinguished. UVA, on the other hand, offers a broader liberal arts education with a strong foundation in the humanities, social sciences, and public policy. While UVA also has excellent STEM programs, its historical strength lies in its undergraduate liberal arts college and its graduate schools of law, business, and medicine.
How do the campus cultures differ between Stanford and UVA?

Stanford's campus culture is often described as innovative, entrepreneurial, and fast-paced. Students are highly driven and often involved in startups or research projects. UVA's campus culture is more traditional and emphasizes community, tradition, and a strong sense of school spirit. There's a greater focus on student self-governance and a vibrant social scene centered around the Lawn and Greek life.
What are the differences in location and surrounding environment?

Stanford is located in Palo Alto, California, in the heart of Silicon Valley. This provides students with unparalleled access to tech companies, venture capital firms, and a thriving startup ecosystem. UVA is located in Charlottesville, Virginia, a smaller city with a rich history and a more relaxed atmosphere. Charlottesville offers a beautiful natural setting with easy access to the Blue Ridge Mountains.
How do the admissions processes compare between Stanford and UVA?

Both Stanford and UVA are highly selective institutions with rigorous admissions processes. Stanford places a strong emphasis on academic excellence, intellectual vitality, and demonstrated leadership potential. UVA also values academic achievement but places a greater emphasis on well-roundedness, community involvement, and a demonstrated commitment to public service. Both universities use a holistic review process, considering factors beyond just grades and test scores.
What are the typical class sizes and student-to-faculty ratios at Stanford and UVA?

Stanford has a student-to-faculty ratio of 5:1, allowing for more personalized attention and interaction with professors. UVA has a slightly higher student-to-faculty ratio of 15:1, but still offers opportunities for close interaction with faculty, especially in smaller upper-level courses and research settings. While introductory courses at both universities can be large, smaller seminar-style classes are common as students progress in their studies.
How do the costs of attendance compare between Stanford and UVA?

Stanford's cost of attendance is generally higher than UVA's, especially for out-of-state students. Stanford is a private university, while UVA is a public university, which affects tuition rates. However, both universities offer financial aid packages to help students afford the cost of attendance. It's important to research the specific financial aid options available at each institution.
What are the strengths of each university's alumni network?

Stanford's alumni network is particularly strong in the technology, business, and venture capital sectors, especially in Silicon Valley. UVA's alumni network is extensive and influential across a wide range of fields, including law, politics, finance, and the humanities. Both universities have active alumni associations that provide networking opportunities and career support to graduates.
What are some popular majors at Stanford and UVA?

Popular majors at Stanford include Computer Science, Engineering, Human Biology, and Economics. At UVA, popular majors include Economics, Biology, Political and Government Science, and English Language and Literature. Both universities offer a wide range of academic programs, so students should explore their options based on their individual interests.
How do the research opportunities compare at Stanford and UVA?

Both Stanford and UVA are major research universities with extensive research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students. Stanford is particularly strong in areas such as engineering, medicine, and computer science research. UVA has strong research programs in medicine, engineering, and the humanities. Students at both universities can participate in research projects with faculty members, often leading to publications and presentations.
What are the athletic programs like at Stanford and UVA?

Both Stanford and UVA have strong athletic programs. Stanford is a member of the Pac-12 Conference and has a long history of success in a wide range of sports, particularly swimming, tennis, and golf. UVA is a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and is known for its basketball, baseball, and soccer programs. Both universities offer a vibrant athletic culture and opportunities for students to participate in varsity, club, and intramural sports.

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