UNC Charlotte vs. Virginia Tech

Comparable Facts

Compare University of North Carolina at Charlotte in Charlotte, 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 Charlotte based on total student enrollment (38,857 students vs. 31,091 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Carolina at Charlotte is located in Charlotte, NC (Large City setting); Virginia Tech is in Blacksburg, VA (Small City setting).
• University of North Carolina at Charlotte 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 Charlotte 21:1; Virginia Tech 17:1.

UNC Charlotte vs. Virginia Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNC Charlotte 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 Charlotte than Virginia Tech ($15,045 vs. $24,912).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina at Charlotte are 12.6% lower than at Virginia Tech ($14,458 vs. $16,550).
• Virginia Tech is 120.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNC Charlotte (about $8,709 more per year; $15,948.00 vs. $7,239.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 67.9% higher at Virginia Tech than at University of North Carolina at Charlotte (about $15,272 more per year; $37,764.00 vs. $22,492.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at University of North Carolina at Charlotte as at Virginia Tech (60% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Tech students is 15.1% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina at Charlotte students ($9,168 vs. $7,966).

UNC Charlotte vs. Virginia Tech Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNC Charlotte 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 Charlotte.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Virginia Tech (1370) is 130 points higher than at UNC Charlotte (1240).
• Incoming Virginia Tech students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 24 at UNC Charlotte).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Charlotte 1140/1330; Virginia Tech 1280/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Charlotte 21/28; Virginia Tech 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNC Charlotte - Test optional; Virginia Tech - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNC Charlotte Jun 1, 2027; Virginia Tech Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Virginia Tech students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at UNC Charlotte (3.57).
• UNC Charlotte has a higher acceptance rate (79.6%) than Virginia Tech (54.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.5% at UNC Charlotte vs. 25.3% at Virginia Tech.

UNC Charlotte vs. Virginia Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNC Charlotte 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).

• Virginia Tech's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than University of North Carolina at Charlotte's (53%).
• Graduates from Virginia Tech earn a median of about $16,400 more per year than UNC Charlotte graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,000 vs. $48,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina at Charlotte graduates have a $966 lower median loan debt than Virginia Tech graduates ($23,000 vs. $23,966).
• Among borrowers, UNC Charlotte graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Virginia Tech graduates ($237 vs. $247).
• More Virginia Tech graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNC Charlotte students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 61%)

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.