AU vs. UNC Chapel Hill

Comparable Facts

Compare American University in Washington, DC with University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in Chapel Hill, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is larger than AU based on total student enrollment (32,438 students vs. 12,321 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• American University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is in Chapel Hill, NC (Small City setting).
• American University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: American University 10:1; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 15:1.

AU vs. UNC Chapel Hill Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU or UNC Chapel Hill? 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 North Carolina at Chapel Hill than AU ($10,154 vs. $39,676).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are 23.2% lower than at American University ($13,804 vs. $17,982).
• American University is 553.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNC Chapel Hill (about $49,777 more per year; $58,771.00 vs. $8,994.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 42.6% higher at AU than at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (about $17,568 more per year; $58,771.00 vs. $41,203.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at American University than at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (67% vs. 38%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by American University students is 104% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill students ($36,349 vs. $17,814).

AU vs. UNC Chapel Hill Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AU or UNC Chapel Hill? 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 UNC Chapel Hill and AU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1460) is 90 points higher than at AU (1370).
• Incoming UNC Chapel Hill students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 30 at AU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 1280/1460; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 1390/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 29/32; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 28/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); UNC Chapel Hill - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: AU Jan 15, 2027; UNC Chapel Hill Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNC Chapel Hill students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at AU (3.7).
• AU has a higher acceptance rate (62%) than UNC Chapel Hill (15.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at AU vs. 45.5% at UNC Chapel Hill.

AU vs. UNC Chapel Hill Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AU and UNC Chapel Hill? 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 North Carolina at Chapel Hill's six-year graduation rate (89%) is higher than American University's (77%).
• Graduates from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill earn a median of about $1,300 more per year than AU graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,100 vs. $64,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill graduates have a $7,771 lower median loan debt than AU graduates ($16,479 vs. $24,250).
• Among borrowers, UNC Chapel Hill graduates have an estimated $80 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AU graduates ($170 vs. $250).
• More UNC Chapel Hill graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former AU students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 80%)

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.