Head-to-Head Comparison
University of Virginia-Main Campus vs Villanova University
- Virginia-Main Campus Wins
- 27
- Tied
- 13
- Villanova Wins
- 10
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 Villanova University's $43,756, 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.
50 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Virginia-Main Campus
- Lower cost: Average net price of $21,565, roughly $22,191 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
Villanova
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $100,423 ten years after enrollment, 16% more than University of Virginia
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Virginia-Main Campus graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (13% of degrees); Villanova in Business & Marketing (23%). 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 Villanova University over University of Virginia. Median earnings of $100,423 ten years after enrollment vs $86,863.
Pick University of Virginia over Villanova University. Net price $21,565 vs $43,756.
Pick University of Virginia over Villanova University. 95% completion rate vs 92%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
University of Virginia and Villanova University 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 Villanova University takes 27%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,480 to 1,460.
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 $22,191 a year below Villanova University's $43,756. Graduates of University of Virginia also borrow less: median debt of $17,500, against $25,874.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $88,764 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, Villanova University graduates report median earnings of $100,423, compared with $86,863 at University of Virginia. That is a 16% advantage. Set against borrowing, University of Virginia has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.2x to 0.26x.
So what: An earnings gap of 16% 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 92%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 3% 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; pick Villanova University 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. University of Virginia saves about $22,191 a year, yet Villanova University graduates earn $13,560 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. University of Virginia concentrates enrollment in Computer Science & IT, Humanities, while Villanova University leans toward Business & Marketing, Engineering. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Engineering-focused students: Villanova University has the stronger engineering programs.
- Business and consulting-track students: University of Virginia has less business program depth, and Villanova University offers the stronger options.
- Students who want a smaller campus: University of Virginia's enrollment of 17,597 far exceeds Villanova University's 6,938.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $43,756 runs well above University of Virginia's $21,565.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $25,874, against $17,500 at University of Virginia.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of Villanova University's enrollment, and University of Virginia is stronger here.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Virginia-Main Campus holds onto its admits more tightly: 40% of admitted students enroll, versus 28% at Villanova — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Both reward applying early, but the binding round pays off more at Virginia-Main Campus (500.0% Early Decision admit rate vs 54.2%). Early Decision is binding, so it only makes sense if the school is a clear first choice. 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
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
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.
Villanova University
Villanova, PA · Private nonprofit
At Villanova University, students can expect a tight-knit campus environment with an enrollment of just under 7,000. This university is a great fit for those pursuing degrees in Business and Marketing, Engineering, Social Sciences, Health Professions, and Communications. With an acceptance rate of 27%, it attracts motivated students who are ready to engage deeply in their studies and community.
Looking ahead, graduates from Villanova see impressive outcomes. The average earnings a decade after graduation sit at $100,423, which speaks volumes about the value of a Villanova degree in today’s job market. The school's strong graduation rate of 92% indicates that students not only enroll but also complete their degrees, setting them up for success in their chosen fields.
When it comes to the financial side, the net price after financial aid is $43,756, which is important to consider alongside the median debt level of $25,874. This suggests that while the costs can be significant, many students manage to navigate their financial responsibilities effectively. Those who thrive here are often driven, engaged, and ready to leverage the resources Villanova offers to propel their careers forward.
Rankings They Appear On
University of Virginia-Main Campus and Villanova University appear together in 2 rankings. On the Colleges With the Biggest Early Decision Advantage, University of Virginia-Main Campus ranks #1 — University of Virginia-Main Campus outranks Villanova University by 28 positions.
Top Degree Programs
Virginia-Main Campus's top program is Sociology (13% of enrollment), while Villanova leads with Business Administration (23%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Virginia-Main Campus) and Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for Villanova).
The two schools feed different job markets. University of Virginia is strongest in Computer Science & IT, Humanities, while Villanova University concentrates in Business & Marketing, Health Professions. 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.
Virginia-Main Campus
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into University of Virginia or Villanova University?
University of Virginia is harder to get into, admitting 17% of applicants compared with 27% at Villanova University.
Which is more affordable, University of Virginia or Villanova University?
University of Virginia is more affordable, with an average net price of $21,565 after aid versus $43,756 at Villanova University.
Do University of Virginia or Villanova University graduates earn more?
Villanova University graduates earn more: median earnings of $100,423 ten years after enrollment, versus $86,863 at University of Virginia.
Which has a better graduation rate, University of Virginia or Villanova University?
University of Virginia has the higher graduation rate, 95% versus 92%.
Should you choose University of Virginia or Villanova University?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose University of Virginia if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Villanova University 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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