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University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill vs Wake Forest University

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public university in Chapel Hill, NC. Wake Forest University is a private university in Winston-Salem, NC. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants and Wake Forest University about 22%, 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 $28,719 at Wake Forest University. About 92% of students graduate at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, compared with 90% at Wake Forest University. Ten years after enrolling, Wake Forest University alumni earn a median of about $78,158, against $72,200 for University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

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University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC · Public

Wake Forest University

Winston-Salem, NC · Private
At a glance
Type
Public
Private
Location
Chapel Hill, NC
Winston-Salem, NC
Setting
Urban
Urban
Undergraduates
20,752
5,485
Acceptance rate
15%
22%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.49–4
3.52–4
SAT (middle 50%)
1390–1530
1410–1520
ACT (middle 50%)
28–34
32–34
Test policy
Considered
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$11,655
$28,719
Full cost / yr
$26,055
$87,499
In-state tuition
$8,994
$67,642
Out-of-state tuition
$41,203
$67,642
Application fee
$85
$85
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$2,004
$6,525
$30k - $48k
$3,918
$6,331
$48k - $75k
$8,538
$7,647
$75k - $110k
$16,415
$12,771
Over $110k
$24,396
$58,081
Outcomes
Graduation rate
92%
90%
Freshman retention
97%
93%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$57,057
$67,722
Median earnings (10 yr)
$72,200
$78,158
Median debt at graduation
$14,000
$21,500
Student body
Pell grant recipients
20%
10%
First-generation students
20%
12%
International students
6%
6%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Nov 15
Early action
Oct 15
Nov 15
Regular decision
Jan 15
Jan 1

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 Wake Forest University harder to get into?
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is harder to get into. It admits about 15% of applicants, compared with 22% at Wake Forest University. 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 Wake Forest University?
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is cheaper on average. Students pay about $11,655 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $28,719 at Wake Forest 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 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Wake Forest University?
Before aid, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill costs about $26,055 a year and Wake Forest University about $87,499. 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 Wake Forest University?
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $2,004 there, against about $6,525 at Wake Forest University. 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 Wake Forest University?
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is the larger of the two, with about 20,752 undergraduates against 5,485 at Wake Forest University.
Does University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill or Wake Forest University have a better graduation rate?
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has the higher graduation rate, at about 92% against 90% at Wake Forest University.
Do graduates of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill or Wake Forest University earn more?
Wake Forest University alumni earn more on average: a median of about $78,158 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 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Wake Forest University require SAT or ACT scores?
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill considers SAT or ACT scores when you submit them. Wake Forest University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
What SAT scores do University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Wake Forest University look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1390–1530 at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and 1410–1520 at Wake Forest University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

Which of these is the better fit for you?

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1 Discovery quiz: find your major2 Matchmaker: your odds + net price at every school