UC San Diego vs University of Virginia-Main Campus (UVA)

Envision yourself immersed in the vibrant academic landscapes of the University of California-San Diego (UCSD) and the University of Virginia-Main Campus (UVA). While both institutions share a commitment to academic excellence, they offer distinct experiences shaped by their unique locations, student demographics, and academic strengths. UCSD, nestled along the sunny shores of La Jolla, California, boasts a diverse student body and a focus on research and innovation. UVA, steeped in history and tradition, resides in the charming college town of Charlottesville, Virginia, and emphasizes a well-rounded liberal arts education. As you embark on your higher education journey, explore the nuances that set these two esteemed universities apart, from their acceptance rates and popular majors to their student life and graduation outcomes. Dive into our comprehensive comparison table to discover which institution aligns best with your aspirations and goals.

	University of California-San Diego	University of Virginia-Main Campus
Overview
Location	La Jolla, California	Charlottesville, Virginia
Campus setting	City: Large	Suburb: Small
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Quarter	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	95.0%	97.0%
Common app member	No	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	34.2%	20.7%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $70 Graduate: $120	Undergraduate: $75 Graduate: $85
SAT range	N/A	1380 - 1500
ACT range	N/A	32 - 35
Students submitting SAT score		52.0%
Students submitting ACT score		21.0%
Total number of applicants	118,386	47,971
Total number of admissions given out	40,493	9,951
Admitted students who chose to enroll	7,544	3,889
Yield rate	18.6%	39.1%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Not required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Not required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $35,116 Out of state: $64,870	In state: $36,314 Out of state: $70,696
Average net price	$15,632	$20,401
Tuition	In state: $11,442 Out of state: $41,196	In state: $16,010 Out of state: $49,710
Room & board	$16,145	Room/dormitory: $7,110 Meal plan: $5,550
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Prepaid tuition plan Guaranteed tuition plan Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	48.0% Average amount $18,083	46.0% Average amount $19,612
Students receiving federal student loan	21.0% Average amount $4,545	25.0% Average amount $4,845
Students taking out private loans	7.0% Average amount $4,851	6.0% Average amount $11,030

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	33,343 Men 48.7% Women 51.3%	17,294 Men 43.7% Women 56.3%
Graduate students	8,542 Men 57.6% Women 42.4%	8,711 Men 46.9% Women 53.1%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Low
Out-of-state students	16.6%	35.2%
International students	21.3%	8.8%
Campus local/setting	City: Large	Suburb: Small
Dormitory capacity	17,765	7,645
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	California Washington Texas New York Illinois	Virginia New York Maryland Pennsylvania New Jersey

Academics
Popular study areas	Engineering Biological and Biomedical Sciences Computer and Information Science Health Professions Social Sciences	Business Health Professions Engineering Social Sciences Education
Students to faculty ratio	19:1	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	89.4%	93.7%
Dropout rate	9.7%	2.3%
Transferred out	N/A	3.6%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Computer Science (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $127,768 Year 2: $162,463 Year 3: $194,475 Computer Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $122,641 Year 2: $127,993 Year 3: $153,118 Physics (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $94,408 Year 3: $124,326 Engineering, Other (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $118,445 Year 2: $113,668 Year 3: $123,569 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $97,196 Year 2: $94,408 Year 3: $113,628 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $112,603 Year 2: $101,406 Year 3: $109,783 Education, General (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $106,421 Year 3: $108,034 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $87,738 Year 2: $86,972 Year 3: $105,245 Biomedical/Medical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $78,610 Year 2: $75,706 Year 3: $102,296 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $79,476 Year 2: $79,688 Year 3: $99,630	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 between UC San Diego and UVA?

UC San Diego (UCSD) is a large, public research university located in La Jolla, California, known for its strong STEM programs and research focus. The University of Virginia (UVA), located in Charlottesville, Virginia, is also a public research university, but it's known for its strong liberal arts, business, and law programs, as well as its historic campus and strong sense of tradition. UCSD operates on a quarter system, while UVA uses a semester system. UCSD has a more modern, spread-out campus, while UVA's campus is more traditional and centralized around the Lawn.
Which university is better for STEM fields?

UC San Diego is generally considered stronger in STEM fields, particularly in engineering, biology, and computer science. Its proximity to the tech industry in Southern California and its numerous research institutes contribute to its strength in these areas. UVA also has strong STEM programs, especially in engineering and medicine, but UCSD has a larger overall presence and reputation in STEM.
Which university is better for humanities and social sciences?

The University of Virginia is often considered stronger in humanities and social sciences. Its history and tradition lend themselves well to programs like history, English, and government. UVA's McIntire School of Commerce is also highly regarded. While UCSD has strong social science departments, UVA's humanities programs often have a slight edge in reputation and resources.
How do the campus cultures compare?

UC San Diego's campus culture is often described as more academically focused and research-oriented. It can be perceived as less socially active than UVA. UVA has a stronger emphasis on tradition, student life, and a more vibrant social scene, with a greater focus on Greek life and student organizations. UVA's campus culture is often described as more spirited and community-oriented.
What are the differences in location and surrounding environment?

UC San Diego is located in La Jolla, a coastal community near San Diego, California. The surrounding area offers beautiful beaches, a thriving biotech industry, and a generally mild climate. UVA is located in Charlottesville, Virginia, a smaller city with a rich history and a more traditional college town atmosphere. Charlottesville offers access to the Blue Ridge Mountains and a more distinct four-season climate.
How do the costs of attending UC San Diego and UVA compare?

As public universities, both UC San Diego and UVA offer lower tuition rates for in-state students. However, out-of-state tuition at both institutions can be significant. Generally, the cost of living in La Jolla (near UCSD) is higher than in Charlottesville (near UVA), particularly regarding housing. It's important to consider both tuition and living expenses when comparing the overall cost of attendance.
What are the admission requirements like for each university?

Both UC San Diego and UVA are highly selective universities. Admission requirements include a strong academic record, standardized test scores (though policies may vary), essays, and extracurricular activities. UVA often places a greater emphasis on demonstrated leadership and community involvement, while UCSD may prioritize a strong background in math and science, especially for STEM applicants. Both universities seek well-rounded students with a passion for learning.
Which university has a better reputation?

Both UC San Diego and UVA have excellent reputations, but their strengths lie in different areas. UCSD is highly regarded for its STEM programs and research contributions, particularly in fields like engineering, biology, and computer science. UVA is known for its strong liberal arts, business, and law programs, as well as its historic significance and strong alumni network. The 'better' reputation depends on your field of study and career goals.
How do the graduation rates compare?

Both UC San Diego and UVA have high graduation rates, indicating a strong commitment to student success. Generally, UVA's graduation rates are slightly higher than UCSD's, but both universities perform well in this metric. This suggests that students at both institutions are likely to complete their degrees within a reasonable timeframe.
What are the career prospects like after graduating from UC San Diego or UVA?

Graduates from both UC San Diego and UVA have excellent career prospects. UCSD graduates often find opportunities in the tech, biotech, and engineering industries, particularly in California. UVA graduates have strong career prospects in finance, consulting, law, government, and various other fields, with opportunities across the East Coast and beyond. Both universities have strong career services departments to assist students with job placement.

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