UNC Chapel Hill vs. Villanova

Comparable Facts

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

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is larger than Villanova based on total student enrollment (32,438 students vs. 10,041 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is located in Chapel Hill, NC (Small City setting); Villanova University is in Villanova, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Villanova University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 15:1; Villanova University 10:1.

UNC Chapel Hill vs. Villanova Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNC Chapel Hill or Villanova? 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 Villanova ($10,154 vs. $37,201).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are 22% lower than at Villanova University ($13,804 vs. $17,694).
• Villanova University is 653.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNC Chapel Hill (about $58,782 more per year; $67,776.00 vs. $8,994.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 64.5% higher at Villanova than at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (about $26,573 more per year; $67,776.00 vs. $41,203.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Villanova University than at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (48% vs. 38%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Villanova University students is 167.3% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill students ($47,609 vs. $17,814).

UNC Chapel Hill vs. Villanova Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNC Chapel Hill or Villanova? 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 Villanova 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 Villanova (1450).
• Incoming Villanova students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 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; Villanova University 1395/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 28/34; Villanova University 32/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNC Chapel Hill - Test optional; Villanova - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNC Chapel Hill Jan 15, 2027; Villanova Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Villanova students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at UNC Chapel Hill (3.83).
• Villanova has a higher acceptance rate (27%) than UNC Chapel Hill (15.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.5% at UNC Chapel Hill vs. 27.7% at Villanova.

UNC Chapel Hill vs. Villanova Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNC Chapel Hill and Villanova? 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).

• Villanova University's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's (89%).
• Graduates from Villanova University earn a median of about $19,000 more per year than UNC Chapel Hill graduates about ten years after starting college ($85,100 vs. $66,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill graduates have a $10,018 lower median loan debt than Villanova graduates ($16,479 vs. $26,497).
• Among borrowers, UNC Chapel Hill graduates have an estimated $103 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Villanova graduates ($170 vs. $273).
• More Villanova graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNC Chapel Hill students, three years after graduation. (90% 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.