Minnesota vs. UNC Chapel Hill

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Minnesota Twin Cities in Minneapolis, MN 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 Minnesota Twin Cities is larger than UNC Chapel Hill based on total student enrollment (56,666 students vs. 32,438 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Minnesota Twin Cities is located in Minneapolis, MN (Large City setting); University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is in Chapel Hill, NC (Small City setting).
• University of Minnesota Twin Cities 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: University of Minnesota Twin Cities 17:1; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 15:1.

Minnesota vs. UNC Chapel Hill Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Minnesota 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 Minnesota ($10,154 vs. $17,209).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are 0.4% lower than at University of Minnesota Twin Cities ($13,804 vs. $13,856).
• University of Minnesota Twin Cities is 91.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNC Chapel Hill (about $8,220 more per year; $17,214.00 vs. $8,994.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.4% higher at UNC Chapel Hill than at University of Minnesota Twin Cities (about $2,841 more per year; $41,203.00 vs. $38,362.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Minnesota Twin Cities than at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (65% vs. 38%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill students is 41.9% larger than aid received by University of Minnesota Twin Cities students ($17,814 vs. $12,552).

Minnesota vs. UNC Chapel Hill Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Minnesota 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 Minnesota.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1460) is 60 points higher than at Minnesota (1400).
• Incoming UNC Chapel Hill students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 28 at Minnesota).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Minnesota Twin Cities 1300/1500; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 1390/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Minnesota Twin Cities 26/31; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 28/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Minnesota - 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: Minnesota Jan 1, 2027; UNC Chapel Hill Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNC Chapel Hill students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at Minnesota (3.75).
• Minnesota has a higher acceptance rate (79.7%) than UNC Chapel Hill (15.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.3% at Minnesota vs. 45.5% at UNC Chapel Hill.

Minnesota vs. UNC Chapel Hill Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Minnesota 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 University of Minnesota Twin Cities's (70%).
• Graduates from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill earn a median of about $7,900 more per year than Minnesota graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,100 vs. $58,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill graduates have a $3,706 lower median loan debt than Minnesota graduates ($16,479 vs. $20,185).
• Among borrowers, UNC Chapel Hill graduates have an estimated $38 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Minnesota graduates ($170 vs. $208).
• More UNC Chapel Hill graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Minnesota 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.