UNC Chapel Hill vs. NC State

Comparable Facts

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

North Carolina State University at Raleigh is larger than UNC Chapel Hill based on total student enrollment (38,464 students vs. 32,438 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

UNC Chapel Hill vs. NC State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNC Chapel Hill or NC State? 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 NC State ($10,154 vs. $15,522).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are 3.7% lower than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh ($13,804 vs. $14,332).
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is 2.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than NC State (about $195 more per year; $8,994.00 vs. $8,799.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 25.4% higher at UNC Chapel Hill than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (about $8,356 more per year; $41,203.00 vs. $32,847.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at North Carolina State University at Raleigh than at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (51% vs. 38%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill students is 52.6% larger than aid received by North Carolina State University at Raleigh students ($17,814 vs. $11,675).

UNC Chapel Hill vs. NC State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNC Chapel Hill or NC State? 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 NC State 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 NC State (1390).
• Incoming UNC Chapel Hill students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 30 at NC State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 1390/1530; North Carolina State University at Raleigh 1300/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 28/34; North Carolina State University at Raleigh 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNC Chapel Hill - Test optional; NC State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNC Chapel Hill Jan 15, 2027; NC State Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNC Chapel Hill students have the same average high school GPA (3.83) as students at NC State (3.83).
• NC State has a higher acceptance rate (41.7%) than UNC Chapel Hill (15.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.5% at UNC Chapel Hill vs. 31.8% at NC State.

UNC Chapel Hill vs. NC State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNC Chapel Hill and NC State? 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 North Carolina State University at Raleigh's (72%).
• Graduates from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill earn a median of about $8,900 more per year than NC State graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,100 vs. $57,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill graduates have a $4,303 lower median loan debt than NC State graduates ($16,479 vs. $20,782).
• Among borrowers, UNC Chapel Hill graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NC State graduates ($170 vs. $214).
• More UNC Chapel Hill graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NC State students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 76%)

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.