UNC Chapel Hill vs. Clemson

Comparable Facts

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

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is larger than Clemson based on total student enrollment (32,438 students vs. 29,077 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

UNC Chapel Hill vs. Clemson Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNC Chapel Hill or Clemson? 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 Clemson ($10,154 vs. $25,003).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Clemson University are 3.8% lower than at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ($13,284 vs. $13,804).
• Clemson University is 72.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNC Chapel Hill (about $6,560 more per year; $15,554.00 vs. $8,994.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.8% higher at UNC Chapel Hill than at Clemson University (about $337 more per year; $41,203.00 vs. $40,866.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Clemson University than at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (75% vs. 38%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill students is 56.4% larger than aid received by Clemson University students ($17,814 vs. $11,389).

UNC Chapel Hill vs. Clemson Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1460) is 130 points higher than at Clemson (1330).
• Incoming UNC Chapel Hill students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 30 at Clemson).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 1390/1530; Clemson University 1240/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 28/34; Clemson University 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNC Chapel Hill - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Clemson - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: UNC Chapel Hill Jan 15, 2027; Clemson May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNC Chapel Hill students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at Clemson (3.75).
• Clemson has a higher acceptance rate (38.3%) than UNC Chapel Hill (15.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.5% at UNC Chapel Hill vs. 20.7% at Clemson.

UNC Chapel Hill vs. Clemson Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNC Chapel Hill and Clemson? 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 Clemson University's (80%).
• Graduates from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill earn a median of about $9,000 more per year than Clemson graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,100 vs. $57,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill graduates have a $5,021 lower median loan debt than Clemson graduates ($16,479 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, UNC Chapel Hill graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Clemson graduates ($170 vs. $222).
• More UNC Chapel Hill graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Clemson students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 78%)

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.