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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- 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.
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