ASU vs. UNC Chapel Hill

Comparable Facts

Compare Appalachian State University in Boone, NC 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 ASU based on total student enrollment (32,438 students vs. 21,570 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Appalachian State University is located in Boone, NC (Distant Town setting); University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is in Chapel Hill, NC (Small City setting).
• Appalachian State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Appalachian State University 16:1; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 15:1.

ASU vs. UNC Chapel Hill Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ASU 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 ASU ($10,154 vs. $14,978).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Appalachian State University are 6.8% lower than at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ($12,868 vs. $13,804).
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is 18.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than ASU (about $1,415 more per year; $8,994.00 vs. $7,579.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 63.4% higher at UNC Chapel Hill than at Appalachian State University (about $15,991 more per year; $41,203.00 vs. $25,212.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Appalachian State University than at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (46% vs. 38%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill students is 122.3% larger than aid received by Appalachian State University students ($17,814 vs. $8,014).

ASU vs. UNC Chapel Hill Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ASU 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 ASU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1460) is 260 points higher than at ASU (1200).
• Incoming UNC Chapel Hill students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 24 at ASU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Appalachian State University 1120/1280; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 1390/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Appalachian State University 21/27; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 28/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ASU - Test optional; UNC Chapel Hill - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: ASU Feb 1, 2027; UNC Chapel Hill Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ASU students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at UNC Chapel Hill (3.83).
• ASU has a higher acceptance rate (90.1%) than UNC Chapel Hill (15.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at ASU vs. 45.5% at UNC Chapel Hill.

ASU vs. UNC Chapel Hill Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ASU 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 Appalachian State University's (65%).
• Graduates from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill earn a median of about $24,500 more per year than ASU graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,100 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill graduates have a $4,021 lower median loan debt than ASU graduates ($16,479 vs. $20,500).
• Among borrowers, UNC Chapel Hill graduates have an estimated $41 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ASU graduates ($170 vs. $211).
• More UNC Chapel Hill graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ASU students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 74%)

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.