UVA vs. Penn State vs. Nova vs. Northern Virginia Community College

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Virginia Main Campus in Charlottesville, VA with Penn State Main Campus in University Park, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Penn State Main Campus is larger than UVA based on total student enrollment (50,737 students vs. 26,409 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Virginia Main Campus is located in Charlottesville, VA (Small City setting); Penn State Main Campus is in University Park, PA (Small City setting).
• University of Virginia Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Virginia Main Campus 15:1; Penn State Main Campus 16:1.

UVA vs. Penn State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UVA or Penn State? 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 Virginia Main Campus than Penn State ($18,427 vs. $27,889).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Main Campus are 2.2% lower than at University of Virginia Main Campus ($14,474 vs. $14,800).
• University of Virginia Main Campus is 5.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Penn State (about $1,159 more per year; $21,803.00 vs. $20,644.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 42.4% higher at UVA than at Penn State Main Campus (about $17,722 more per year; $59,512.00 vs. $41,790.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Virginia Main Campus than at Penn State Main Campus (39% vs. 37%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Virginia Main Campus students is 153.3% larger than aid received by Penn State Main Campus students ($28,715 vs. $11,336).

UVA vs. Penn State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UVA or Penn State? 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 Penn State and UVA.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Virginia Main Campus (1480) is 150 points higher than at Penn State (1330).
• Incoming UVA students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 29 at Penn State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Virginia Main Campus 1410/1540; Penn State Main Campus 1240/1420.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Virginia Main Campus 32/35; Penn State Main Campus 27/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UVA - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Penn State - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Penn State has a higher acceptance rate (60.6%) than UVA (16.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 40% at UVA vs. 17.1% at Penn State.

UVA vs. Penn State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UVA and Penn State? 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 Virginia Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (94%) is higher than Penn State Main Campus's (87%).
• Graduates from University of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of about $21,900 more per year than Penn State graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,200 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Virginia Main Campus graduates have a $7,318 lower median loan debt than Penn State graduates ($19,500 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, UVA graduates have an estimated $76 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State graduates ($201 vs. $277).
• More UVA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Penn State students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 69%)

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.