Emory vs. UNC Chapel Hill

Comparable Facts

Compare Emory University in Atlanta, GA 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 Emory based on total student enrollment (32,438 students vs. 15,175 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Emory University is located in Atlanta, GA (Large Suburban setting); University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is in Chapel Hill, NC (Small City setting).
• Emory 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: Emory University 10:1; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 15:1.

Emory vs. UNC Chapel Hill Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Emory 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 Emory ($10,154 vs. $27,303).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are 31.7% lower than at Emory University ($13,804 vs. $20,220).
• Emory University is 614.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNC Chapel Hill (about $55,286 more per year; $64,280.00 vs. $8,994.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 56% higher at Emory than at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (about $23,077 more per year; $64,280.00 vs. $41,203.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Emory University than at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (47% vs. 38%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Emory University students is 216.2% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill students ($56,319 vs. $17,814).

Emory vs. UNC Chapel Hill Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Emory or UNC Chapel Hill? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between UNC Chapel Hill and Emory.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Emory University (1510) is 50 points higher than at UNC Chapel Hill (1460).
• Incoming Emory students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (33 vs. 31 at UNC Chapel Hill).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Emory University 1470/1550; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 1390/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Emory University 32/35; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 28/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Emory - Test optional; UNC Chapel Hill - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Emory Jan 1, 2027; UNC Chapel Hill Jan 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman UNC Chapel Hill students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at Emory (3.8).
• UNC Chapel Hill has a higher acceptance rate (15.3%) than Emory (10.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 40.4% at Emory vs. 45.5% at UNC Chapel Hill.

Emory vs. UNC Chapel Hill Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Emory and UNC Chapel Hill? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Emory University's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's (89%).
• Graduates from Emory University earn a median of about $15,400 more per year than UNC Chapel Hill graduates about ten years after starting college ($81,500 vs. $66,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill graduates have a $754 lower median loan debt than Emory graduates ($16,479 vs. $17,233).
• Among borrowers, UNC Chapel Hill graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Emory graduates ($170 vs. $178).
• More UNC Chapel Hill graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Emory 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.