UNC Chapel Hill vs. Mary Washington College

Comparable Facts

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

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is larger than Mary Washington College based on total student enrollment (32,438 students vs. 3,826 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is located in Chapel Hill, NC (Small City setting); University of Mary Washington is in Fredericksburg, VA (Small Suburban setting).
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Mary Washington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 15:1; University of Mary Washington 13:1.

UNC Chapel Hill vs. Mary Washington College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNC Chapel Hill or Mary Washington 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 Mary Washington College ($10,154 vs. $21,800).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are 3.1% lower than at University of Mary Washington ($13,804 vs. $14,250).
• University of Mary Washington is 62.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNC Chapel Hill (about $5,646 more per year; $14,640.00 vs. $8,994.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 49.5% higher at UNC Chapel Hill than at University of Mary Washington (about $13,643 more per year; $41,203.00 vs. $27,560.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Mary Washington than at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (99% vs. 38%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill students is 69.8% larger than aid received by University of Mary Washington students ($17,814 vs. $10,491).

UNC Chapel Hill vs. Mary Washington College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNC Chapel Hill or Mary Washington 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 Mary Washington College and UNC Chapel Hill.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1460) is 190 points higher than at Mary Washington College (1270).
• Incoming UNC Chapel Hill students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 29 at Mary Washington College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 1390/1530; University of Mary Washington 1170/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 28/34; University of Mary Washington 27/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNC Chapel Hill - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Mary Washington College - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: UNC Chapel Hill Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNC Chapel Hill students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at Mary Washington College (3.71).
• Mary Washington College has a higher acceptance rate (79.8%) than UNC Chapel Hill (15.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.5% at UNC Chapel Hill vs. 17.7% at Mary Washington College.

UNC Chapel Hill vs. Mary Washington College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNC Chapel Hill and Mary Washington 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 University of Mary Washington's (71%).
• Graduates from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill earn a median of about $10,600 more per year than Mary Washington College graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,100 vs. $55,500), 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 Mary Washington College graduates ($16,479 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, UNC Chapel Hill graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mary Washington College graduates ($170 vs. $222).
• More UNC Chapel Hill graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mary Washington College students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 80%)

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.