UNC Chapel Hill vs. Dickinson College

Comparable Facts

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

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is larger than Dickinson College based on total student enrollment (32,438 students vs. 2,314 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is located in Chapel Hill, NC (Small City setting); Dickinson College is in Carlisle, PA (Distant Town setting).
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Dickinson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 15:1; Dickinson College 11:1.

UNC Chapel Hill vs. Dickinson College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNC Chapel Hill or Dickinson College? 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 Dickinson College ($10,154 vs. $38,483).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are 19.3% lower than at Dickinson College ($13,804 vs. $17,100).
• Dickinson College is 629.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNC Chapel Hill (about $56,656 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $8,994.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 59.3% higher at Dickinson College than at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (about $24,447 more per year; $65,650.00 vs. $41,203.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dickinson College than at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (96% vs. 38%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dickinson College students is 149.7% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill students ($44,479 vs. $17,814).

UNC Chapel Hill vs. Dickinson College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1460) is 70 points higher than at Dickinson College (1390).
• Incoming UNC Chapel Hill students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 31) as students at Dickinson College (31).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 1390/1530; Dickinson College 1310/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 28/34; Dickinson College 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNC Chapel Hill - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Dickinson College - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: UNC Chapel Hill Jan 15, 2027; Dickinson College Jan 15, 2027.
• Dickinson College has a higher acceptance rate (42.1%) than UNC Chapel Hill (15.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.5% at UNC Chapel Hill vs. 21.1% at Dickinson College.

UNC Chapel Hill vs. Dickinson College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNC Chapel Hill and Dickinson College? 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 Dickinson College's (84%).
• Graduates from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill earn a median of about $4,100 more per year than Dickinson College graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,100 vs. $62,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill graduates have a $4,521 lower median loan debt than Dickinson College graduates ($16,479 vs. $21,000).
• Among borrowers, UNC Chapel Hill graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Dickinson College graduates ($170 vs. $217).
• More Dickinson College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNC Chapel Hill students, three years after graduation. (89% vs. 82%)

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.