UNC Chapel Hill vs. Wisconsin

Comparable Facts

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

University of Wisconsin Madison is larger than UNC Chapel Hill based on total student enrollment (51,044 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 Wisconsin Madison is in Madison, WI (Midsize City setting).
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Madison is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 15:1; University of Wisconsin Madison 18:1.

UNC Chapel Hill vs. Wisconsin Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNC Chapel Hill or Wisconsin? 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 Wisconsin ($10,154 vs. $14,235).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are 2.3% lower than at University of Wisconsin Madison ($13,804 vs. $14,124).
• University of Wisconsin Madison is 29% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNC Chapel Hill (about $2,609 more per year; $11,603.00 vs. $8,994.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.2% higher at Wisconsin than at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (about $900 more per year; $42,103.00 vs. $41,203.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill than at University of Wisconsin Madison (38% vs. 35%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill students is 0.4% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Madison students ($17,814 vs. $17,741).

UNC Chapel Hill vs. Wisconsin Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1460) is 10 points higher than at Wisconsin (1450).
• Incoming UNC Chapel Hill students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 31) as students at Wisconsin (31).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 1390/1530; University of Wisconsin Madison 1380/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 28/34; University of Wisconsin Madison 29/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNC Chapel Hill - Test optional; Wisconsin - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNC Chapel Hill Jan 15, 2027; Wisconsin Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Wisconsin students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.88) than students at UNC Chapel Hill (3.83).
• Wisconsin has a higher acceptance rate (45.2%) than UNC Chapel Hill (15.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.5% at UNC Chapel Hill vs. 28.6% at Wisconsin.

UNC Chapel Hill vs. Wisconsin Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNC Chapel Hill and Wisconsin? 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 Wisconsin Madison's (82%).
• Graduates from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill earn a median of about $1,300 more per year than Wisconsin graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,100 vs. $64,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill graduates have a $5,771 lower median loan debt than Wisconsin graduates ($16,479 vs. $22,250).
• Among borrowers, UNC Chapel Hill graduates have an estimated $60 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wisconsin graduates ($170 vs. $230).
• More Wisconsin 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.