UNC Chapel Hill vs. Pitt

Comparable Facts

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

University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is larger than UNC Chapel Hill based on total student enrollment (35,724 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); University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is in Pittsburgh, PA (Large City setting).
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 15:1; University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus 13:1.

UNC Chapel Hill vs. Pitt Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNC Chapel Hill or Pitt? 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 Pitt ($10,154 vs. $25,223).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus are 1.3% lower than at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ($13,620 vs. $13,804).
• University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is 143.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNC Chapel Hill (about $12,932 more per year; $21,926.00 vs. $8,994.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.6% higher at Pitt than at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (about $227 more per year; $41,430.00 vs. $41,203.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus than at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (53% vs. 38%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill students is 8% larger than aid received by University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus students ($17,814 vs. $16,494).

UNC Chapel Hill vs. Pitt Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1460) is 90 points higher than at Pitt (1370).
• Incoming UNC Chapel Hill students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 31) as students at Pitt (31).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 1390/1530; University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus 1280/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 28/34; University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNC Chapel Hill - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Pitt - 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 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at Pitt (3.79).
• Pitt has a higher acceptance rate (58.1%) than UNC Chapel Hill (15.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.5% at UNC Chapel Hill vs. 13% at Pitt.

UNC Chapel Hill vs. Pitt Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNC Chapel Hill and Pitt? 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 Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus's (79%).
• Graduates from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill earn a median of about $8,100 more per year than Pitt graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,100 vs. $58,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill graduates have a $10,430 lower median loan debt than Pitt graduates ($16,479 vs. $26,909).
• Among borrowers, UNC Chapel Hill graduates have an estimated $108 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pitt graduates ($170 vs. $278).
• More UNC Chapel Hill graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pitt students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 75%)

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.