UNC Chapel Hill vs. Penn

Comparable Facts

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

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is larger than Penn based on total student enrollment (32,438 students vs. 29,109 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 Pennsylvania is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Pennsylvania is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 15:1; University of Pennsylvania 8:1.

UNC Chapel Hill vs. Penn Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNC Chapel Hill or Penn? 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 Penn ($10,154 vs. $23,570).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are 28% lower than at University of Pennsylvania ($13,804 vs. $19,174).
• University of Pennsylvania is 663.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNC Chapel Hill (about $59,692 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $8,994.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 66.7% higher at Penn than at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (about $27,483 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $41,203.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Pennsylvania than at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (51% vs. 38%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Pennsylvania students is 267.5% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill students ($65,458 vs. $17,814).

UNC Chapel Hill vs. Penn Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Pennsylvania (1540) is 80 points higher than at UNC Chapel Hill (1460).
• Incoming Penn students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (35 vs. 31 at UNC Chapel Hill).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 1390/1530; University of Pennsylvania 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 28/34; University of Pennsylvania 34/36.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNC Chapel Hill - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Penn - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: UNC Chapel Hill Jan 15, 2027; Penn Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Penn students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at UNC Chapel Hill (3.83).
• UNC Chapel Hill has a higher acceptance rate (15.3%) than Penn (5.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.5% at UNC Chapel Hill vs. 68% at Penn.

UNC Chapel Hill vs. Penn Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNC Chapel Hill and Penn? 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 Pennsylvania's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's (89%).
• Graduates from University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $57,500 more per year than UNC Chapel Hill graduates about ten years after starting college ($123,600 vs. $66,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill graduates have a $4,154 lower median loan debt than Penn graduates ($16,479 vs. $20,633).
• Among borrowers, UNC Chapel Hill graduates have an estimated $43 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn graduates ($170 vs. $213).
• More Penn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNC Chapel Hill students, three years after graduation. (84% 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.