Head-to-Head Comparison
Texas A&M University-College Station vs University of Virginia-Main Campus
Texas A&M University-College Station
College Station, TX
University of Virginia-Main Campus
Charlottesville, VA
- Texas A&M Wins
- 11
- Tied
- 12
- Virginia-Main Campus Wins
- 23
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Texas A&M University-College Station offers a significantly safer investment tier. While University of Virginia-Main Campus achieves a higher graduation rate (95% vs 84%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $21,565 compared to Texas A&M University-College Station's $21,315. Students who choose Texas A&M University-College Station benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $72,097 at ten years.
46 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Texas A&M
- Lower cost: Average net price of $21,315, roughly $250 a year less
Virginia-Main Campus
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $86,863 ten years after enrollment, 20% more than Texas A&M University-College Station
- Higher grad rate: 95% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $17,500, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 17% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Texas A&M graduates concentrate in Engineering (17% of degrees); Virginia-Main Campus in Social Sciences (13%). If you already know the field you want, the choice is mostly made for you.
Based on each school's share of degrees by field (College Scorecard). It shows where graduates actually concentrate, not the only path a school offers.
Which School Fits You?
Pick University of Virginia over Texas A&M University-College Station. Median earnings of $86,863 ten years after enrollment vs $72,097.
Pick Texas A&M University-College Station over University of Virginia. Net price $21,315 vs $21,565.
Pick University of Virginia over Texas A&M University-College Station. 95% completion rate vs 84%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Texas A&M University-College Station and University of Virginia are close on paper, but University of Virginia wins the head-to-head, leading on 4 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
University of Virginia is the harder admit. It takes 17% of applicants, while Texas A&M University-College Station takes 57%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,280 to 1,480.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, University of Virginia sets the higher bar. The less selective school is easier to get into, which can work in your favor rather than against it.
What it costs
On price, Texas A&M University-College Station comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $21,315, about $250 a year below University of Virginia's $21,565. Graduates of University of Virginia also borrow less: median debt of $17,500, against $17,804.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $1,000 before any change in aid. Choosing Texas A&M University-College Station leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, University of Virginia graduates report median earnings of $86,863, compared with $72,097 at Texas A&M University-College Station. That is a 20% advantage. Set against borrowing, University of Virginia has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.2x to 0.25x.
So what: An earnings gap of 20% this early in a career tends to widen, since raises build on the higher base. Of the measures on this page, this one carries the most financial weight.
Finishing the degree
University of Virginia graduates a larger share of its students, 95% versus 84%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 12% is a risk measure. Students at the school with the lower rate face higher odds of leaving with debt and no degree, the most expensive outcome in higher education.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Texas A&M University-College Station to keep costs and debt down; pick University of Virginia for the higher earnings ceiling.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 5 of 6 core signals used here; where one school is missing a figure, that row is left out of the comparison rather than estimated.
Counterintuitive Insights
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. Texas A&M University-College Station saves about $250 a year, yet University of Virginia graduates earn $14,766 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Their academic identities diverge. Texas A&M University-College Station concentrates enrollment in Engineering, Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical, while University of Virginia leans toward Social Sciences, Computer Science & IT, Humanities. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of Texas A&M University-College Station's enrollment, and University of Virginia is stronger here.
- Students who want a smaller campus: Texas A&M University-College Station's enrollment of 59,615 far exceeds University of Virginia's 17,597.
- Engineering-focused students: Texas A&M University-College Station has the stronger engineering programs.
- Business and consulting-track students: University of Virginia has less business program depth, and Texas A&M University-College Station offers the stronger options.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Virginia-Main Campus holds onto its admits more tightly: 40% of admitted students enroll, versus 38% at Texas A&M — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Virginia-Main Campus offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; Texas A&M does not, so there is no early-commitment lever to pull there. Test scores matter less at Virginia-Main Campus, where only about 6% of enrolled freshmen submitted any SAT or ACT.
Source: each school's published Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi.
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 6 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
Texas A&M University-College Station
College Station, TX · Public
With an enrollment of nearly 60,000 students, Texas A&M University-College Station is a bustling hub for those interested in fields like Engineering, Business, Biology, and Health Professions. This diverse community suits students who thrive in a large, spirited environment and are looking for practical, career-oriented education. The 57% acceptance rate indicates a competitive yet accessible admissions process, welcoming a broad range of students keen on making an impact in their chosen fields.
When it comes to life after graduation, the figures speak volumes. Graduates earn an impressive average of $72,097 in their first decade, reflecting the solid return on investment that comes with a degree from Texas A&M. This earning potential, coupled with a graduation rate of 84%, illustrates that many students not only complete their degrees but also step into well-paying jobs. With 20% of students receiving Pell Grants, the university is also working to support students from diverse financial backgrounds.
On the financial side, the net price after aid stands at $21,315, which is manageable considering the earning prospects. The median debt of $17,804 is reasonable, especially when weighed against the potential earnings. Students who tend to thrive here are often those who are self-motivated and ready to engage in a collaborative and energetic college culture, preparing them well for their careers ahead.
University of Virginia-Main Campus
Charlottesville, VA · Public
With an acceptance rate of just 17%, the University of Virginia-Main Campus attracts students who are ready for an academically rigorous environment. It’s a great fit for those interested in a wide range of disciplines, particularly in humanities, social sciences, engineering, business, and computer science. Students here are not just looking for a degree; they’re aiming for a transformative college experience that prepares them for real-world challenges.
After graduation, students typically see solid returns on their investment. With a median earning of $86,863 ten years post-graduation, many graduates find themselves in a stable financial position. The affordable net price of $21,565 means that with careful planning and support, students can graduate with manageable debt, averaging around $17,500. This financial outlook is encouraging, especially for those who may worry about student loans impacting their future.
Ultimately, the practical aspects of attending UVA-Main Campus play a crucial role in student success. With a supportive environment, it’s a place where driven students can thrive, particularly those who are proactive about taking advantage of the resources available. This community fosters not just academic excellence but also personal growth, making it a smart choice for those ready to engage deeply in their education.
Rankings They Appear On
University of Virginia-Main Campus is featured on the Colleges With the Biggest Early Decision Advantage ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Texas A&M's top program is Mechanical Engineering (17% of enrollment), while Virginia-Main Campus leads with Sociology (13%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for Texas A&M) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Virginia-Main Campus).
The two schools feed different job markets. Texas A&M University-College Station is strongest in Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical, Health Professions, while University of Virginia concentrates in Social Sciences, Computer Science & IT, Humanities. Those concentrations determine which recruiters show up on campus and where alumni cluster by industry. Match the school's program strengths to the field you plan to enter.
Texas A&M
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Texas A&M University-College Station or University of Virginia?
University of Virginia is harder to get into, admitting 17% of applicants compared with 57% at Texas A&M University-College Station.
Which is more affordable, Texas A&M University-College Station or University of Virginia?
Texas A&M University-College Station is more affordable, with an average net price of $21,315 after aid versus $21,565 at University of Virginia.
Do Texas A&M University-College Station or University of Virginia graduates earn more?
University of Virginia graduates earn more: median earnings of $86,863 ten years after enrollment, versus $72,097 at Texas A&M University-College Station.
Which has a better graduation rate, Texas A&M University-College Station or University of Virginia?
University of Virginia has the higher graduation rate, 95% versus 84%.
Should you choose Texas A&M University-College Station or University of Virginia?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Texas A&M University-College Station if affordability and lower debt come first; choose University of Virginia if you're optimizing for post-grad earnings. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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