Johns Hopkins vs. UNC Chapel Hill vs. Duke

Comparable Facts

Compare Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD 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 Johns Hopkins based on total student enrollment (32,438 students vs. 30,210 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Johns Hopkins University is located in Baltimore, MD (Large City setting); University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is in Chapel Hill, NC (Small City setting).
• Johns Hopkins 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: Johns Hopkins University 6:1; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 15:1.

Johns Hopkins vs. UNC Chapel Hill Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Johns Hopkins 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 Johns Hopkins ($10,154 vs. $26,017).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are 31.5% lower than at Johns Hopkins University ($13,804 vs. $20,150).
• Johns Hopkins University is 625.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNC Chapel Hill (about $56,236 more per year; $65,230.00 vs. $8,994.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 58.3% higher at Johns Hopkins than at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (about $24,027 more per year; $65,230.00 vs. $41,203.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Johns Hopkins University than at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (60% vs. 38%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Johns Hopkins University students is 236.7% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill students ($59,977 vs. $17,814).

Johns Hopkins vs. UNC Chapel Hill Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Johns Hopkins 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 Johns Hopkins.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Johns Hopkins University (1550) is 90 points higher than at UNC Chapel Hill (1460).
• Incoming Johns Hopkins students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 31 at UNC Chapel Hill).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Johns Hopkins University 1520/1570; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 1390/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Johns Hopkins University 34/36; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 28/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Johns Hopkins - Required; UNC Chapel Hill - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Johns Hopkins Jan 3, 2027; UNC Chapel Hill Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Johns Hopkins students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at UNC Chapel Hill (3.83).
• UNC Chapel Hill has a higher acceptance rate (15.3%) than Johns Hopkins (6.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 47% at Johns Hopkins vs. 45.5% at UNC Chapel Hill.

Johns Hopkins vs. UNC Chapel Hill Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Johns Hopkins 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).

• Johns Hopkins University's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's (89%).
• Graduates from Johns Hopkins University earn a median of about $19,700 more per year than UNC Chapel Hill graduates about ten years after starting college ($85,800 vs. $66,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Johns Hopkins University graduates have a $1,479 lower median loan debt than UNC Chapel Hill graduates ($15,000 vs. $16,479).
• Among borrowers, Johns Hopkins graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNC Chapel Hill graduates ($155 vs. $170).
• More UNC Chapel Hill graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Johns Hopkins students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 81%)

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.