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Duke University vs University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Duke University is a private university in Durham, NC. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public university in Chapel Hill, NC. Duke University admits about 6% of applicants and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill about 15%, making Duke University the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $11,655 a year at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill after aid, and about $29,612 at Duke University. About 96% of students graduate at Duke University, compared with 92% at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Ten years after enrolling, Duke University alumni earn a median of about $97,800, against $72,200 for University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

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Duke University

Durham, NC · Private

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC · Public
At a glance
Type
Private
Public
Location
Durham, NC
Chapel Hill, NC
Setting
Urban
Urban
Undergraduates
6,442
20,752
Acceptance rate
6%
15%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.55–4
3.49–4
SAT (middle 50%)
1500–1570
1390–1530
ACT (middle 50%)
34–35
28–34
Test policy
Test optional
Considered
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$29,612
$11,655
Full cost / yr
$87,072
$26,055
In-state tuition
$68,758
$8,994
Out-of-state tuition
$68,758
$41,203
Application fee
$85
$85
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$735
$2,004
$30k - $48k
$0*
$3,918
$48k - $75k
$5,706
$8,538
$75k - $110k
$17,100
$16,415
Over $110k
$54,230
$24,396
Outcomes
Graduation rate
96%
92%
Freshman retention
98%
97%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$85,792
$57,057
Median earnings (10 yr)
$97,800
$72,200
Median debt at graduation
$13,000
$14,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
14%
20%
First-generation students
13%
20%
International students
11%
6%
Deadlines
Early decision
Nov 2
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Oct 15
Regular decision
Jan 4
Jan 15

* Reported aid for this income range averaged above the billed cost.

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is Duke University or University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill harder to get into?
Duke University is harder to get into. It admits about 6% of applicants, compared with 15% at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, Duke University or University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is cheaper on average. Students pay about $11,655 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $29,612 at Duke University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at Duke University and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?
Before aid, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill costs about $26,055 a year and Duke University about $87,072. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Duke University or University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?
Duke University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $735 there, against about $2,004 at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Duke University or University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is the larger of the two, with about 20,752 undergraduates against 6,442 at Duke University.
Does Duke University or University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have a better graduation rate?
Duke University has the higher graduation rate, at about 96% against 92% at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Do graduates of Duke University or University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill earn more?
Duke University alumni earn more on average: a median of about $97,800 ten years after enrolling, against about $72,200 for University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Duke University and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill require SAT or ACT scores?
Duke University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill considers SAT or ACT scores when you submit them.
What SAT scores do Duke University and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1500–1570 at Duke University and 1390–1530 at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

Which of these is the better fit for you?

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