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University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill vs North Carolina State University at Raleigh

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public university in Chapel Hill, NC. North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public university in Raleigh, NC. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants and North Carolina State University at Raleigh about 42%, making University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 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 $17,303 at North Carolina State University at Raleigh. About 92% of students graduate at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, compared with 85% at North Carolina State University at Raleigh. Ten years after enrolling, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill alumni earn a median of about $72,200, against $68,758 for North Carolina State University at Raleigh.

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University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC · Public

North Carolina State University at Raleigh

Raleigh, NC · Public
At a glance
Type
Public
Public
Location
Chapel Hill, NC
Raleigh, NC
Setting
Urban
Urban
Undergraduates
20,752
27,371
Acceptance rate
15%
42%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.49–4
~3.83 avg
SAT (middle 50%)
1390–1530
1300–1470
ACT (middle 50%)
28–34
28–32
Test policy
Considered
Considered
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$11,655
$17,303
Full cost / yr
$26,055
$26,425
In-state tuition
$8,994
$8,799
Out-of-state tuition
$41,203
$32,847
Application fee
$85
$85
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$2,004
$6,382
$30k - $48k
$3,918
$8,758
$48k - $75k
$8,538
$13,334
$75k - $110k
$16,415
$20,087
Over $110k
$24,396
$24,652
Outcomes
Graduation rate
92%
85%
Freshman retention
97%
94%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$57,057
$57,623
Median earnings (10 yr)
$72,200
$68,758
Median debt at graduation
$14,000
$20,121
Student body
Pell grant recipients
20%
20%
First-generation students
20%
19%
International students
6%
2%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Oct 15
Nov 1
Regular decision
Jan 15
Jan 15

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 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill or North Carolina State University at Raleigh harder to get into?
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is harder to get into. It admits about 15% of applicants, compared with 42% at North Carolina State University at Raleigh. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill or North Carolina State University at Raleigh?
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is cheaper on average. Students pay about $11,655 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $17,303 at North Carolina State University at Raleigh. 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 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University at Raleigh?
Before aid, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill costs about $26,055 a year and North Carolina State University at Raleigh about $26,425. 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, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill or North Carolina State University at Raleigh?
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $2,004 there, against about $6,382 at North Carolina State University at Raleigh. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill or North Carolina State University at Raleigh?
North Carolina State University at Raleigh is the larger of the two, with about 27,371 undergraduates against 20,752 at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Does University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill or North Carolina State University at Raleigh have a better graduation rate?
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has the higher graduation rate, at about 92% against 85% at North Carolina State University at Raleigh.
Do graduates of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill or North Carolina State University at Raleigh earn more?
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill alumni earn more on average: a median of about $72,200 ten years after enrolling, against about $68,758 for North Carolina State University at Raleigh. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University at Raleigh require SAT or ACT scores?
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill considers SAT or ACT scores when you submit them. North Carolina State University at Raleigh considers SAT or ACT scores when you submit them.
What SAT scores do University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University at Raleigh look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1390–1530 at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and 1300–1470 at North Carolina State University at Raleigh. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

Which of these is the better fit for you?

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