UNC Chapel Hill vs. Virginia Tech

Comparable Facts

Compare University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in Chapel Hill, NC with Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Virginia Tech is larger than UNC Chapel Hill based on total student enrollment (38,857 students vs. 32,438 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is located in Chapel Hill, NC (Small City setting); Virginia Tech is in Blacksburg, VA (Small City setting).
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Tech is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 15:1; Virginia Tech 17:1.

UNC Chapel Hill vs. Virginia Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNC Chapel Hill or Virginia Tech? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill than Virginia Tech ($10,154 vs. $24,912).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are 16.6% lower than at Virginia Tech ($13,804 vs. $16,550).
• Virginia Tech is 77.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNC Chapel Hill (about $6,954 more per year; $15,948.00 vs. $8,994.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.1% higher at UNC Chapel Hill than at Virginia Tech (about $3,439 more per year; $41,203.00 vs. $37,764.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Tech than at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (60% vs. 38%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill students is 94.3% larger than aid received by Virginia Tech students ($17,814 vs. $9,168).

UNC Chapel Hill vs. Virginia Tech Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNC Chapel Hill or Virginia Tech? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Virginia Tech and UNC Chapel Hill.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1460) is 90 points higher than at Virginia Tech (1370).
• Incoming UNC Chapel Hill students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 30 at Virginia Tech).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 1390/1530; Virginia Tech 1280/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 28/34; Virginia Tech 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNC Chapel Hill - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Virginia Tech - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: UNC Chapel Hill Jan 15, 2027; Virginia Tech Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Virginia Tech students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at UNC Chapel Hill (3.83).
• Virginia Tech has a higher acceptance rate (54.8%) than UNC Chapel Hill (15.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.5% at UNC Chapel Hill vs. 25.3% at Virginia Tech.

UNC Chapel Hill vs. Virginia Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNC Chapel Hill and Virginia Tech? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's six-year graduation rate (89%) is higher than Virginia Tech's (82%).
• Graduates from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill earn a median of about $1,100 more per year than Virginia Tech graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,100 vs. $65,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill graduates have a $7,487 lower median loan debt than Virginia Tech graduates ($16,479 vs. $23,966).
• Among borrowers, UNC Chapel Hill graduates have an estimated $77 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Virginia Tech graduates ($170 vs. $247).
• More UNC Chapel Hill graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Virginia Tech students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 81%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.