Head-to-Head Comparison
University of Connecticut vs University of Virginia-Main Campus
- Connecticut Wins
- 9
- Tied
- 18
- Virginia-Main Campus Wins
- 27
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, University of Virginia-Main Campus offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $21,565 vs University of Connecticut's $25,097, University of Virginia-Main Campus delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, University of Virginia-Main Campus's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Connecticut
No clear advantage detected in core metrics.
Virginia-Main Campus
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $86,863 ten years after enrollment, 17% more than University of Connecticut
- Lower cost: Average net price of $21,565, roughly $3,532 a year less
- 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?
Connecticut graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (13% 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 University of Connecticut. Median earnings of $86,863 ten years after enrollment vs $73,997.
Pick University of Virginia over University of Connecticut. Net price $21,565 vs $25,097.
Pick University of Virginia over University of Connecticut. 95% completion rate vs 84%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
University of Connecticut and University of Virginia are close on paper, but University of Virginia wins the head-to-head, leading on 5 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 University of Connecticut takes 52%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,348 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, University of Virginia comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $21,565, about $3,532 a year below University of Connecticut's $25,097. Graduates of University of Virginia also borrow less: median debt of $17,500, against $21,500.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $14,128 before any change in aid. Choosing University of Virginia 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 $73,997 at University of Connecticut. That is a 17% advantage. Set against borrowing, University of Virginia has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.2x to 0.29x.
So what: An earnings gap of 17% 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 University of Virginia to keep costs and debt down.
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
Their academic identities diverge. University of Connecticut concentrates enrollment in Health Professions, Business & Marketing, while University of Virginia leans toward Computer Science & IT, Humanities. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $25,097 runs well above University of Virginia's $21,565.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $21,500, against $17,500 at University of Virginia.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of University of Connecticut's enrollment, and University of Virginia is stronger here.
No strong negative signals — Virginia-Main Campus competes well across the dimensions measured.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Virginia-Main Campus holds onto its admits more tightly: 40% of admitted students enroll, versus 15% at Connecticut — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. 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 Mobility (Chetty) 4 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
Research (Times HE) 4 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
University of Connecticut
Storrs, CT · Public
More than 19,800 students call the University of Connecticut home, making it one of the largest public universities in New England. With an acceptance rate of 52%, it balances accessibility and selectivity, welcoming a diverse range of students to its Storrs campus.
Graduates from UConn see a strong return on investment, with a median earnings figure of $73,997 ten years after graduation. Although specific mobility rates are not available, the high graduation rate of 84% suggests that the majority of students successfully complete their degrees, which is a strong indicator of positive outcomes for those who enroll.
Attending UConn costs an average net price of $25,097, while 25% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a commitment to helping lower-income students access higher education. With a median debt of $21,500, graduates leave with manageable financial burdens. Students thrive in programs like Business & Marketing, Health Professions, and Engineering, where strong career paths are prevalent.
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 Connecticut is featured on the Best Communications Colleges in Connecticut ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Both schools share Sociology as their top enrolled program field, comprising 13% of Connecticut's student body and 13% of Virginia-Main Campus's.
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for Connecticut) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Virginia-Main Campus).
The two schools feed different job markets. University of Connecticut is strongest in Health Professions, Business & Marketing, while University of Virginia concentrates in 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.
Connecticut
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into University of Connecticut or University of Virginia?
University of Virginia is harder to get into, admitting 17% of applicants compared with 52% at University of Connecticut.
Which is more affordable, University of Connecticut or University of Virginia?
University of Virginia is more affordable, with an average net price of $21,565 after aid versus $25,097 at University of Connecticut.
Do University of Connecticut or University of Virginia graduates earn more?
University of Virginia graduates earn more: median earnings of $86,863 ten years after enrollment, versus $73,997 at University of Connecticut.
Which has a better graduation rate, University of Connecticut or University of Virginia?
University of Virginia has the higher graduation rate, 95% versus 84%.
Should you choose University of Connecticut or University of Virginia?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose University of Virginia if affordability and lower debt come first. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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How do Connecticut and Virginia-Main Campus stack up against regional and national alternatives when evaluated on pure socioeconomic mobility, graduate earnings, and long-term return on investment? Explore the full, verified dataset on our comprehensive rankings directory.
