University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
#1 Best Large Universities- Graduation Rate
- 92% A
- Most students who enroll finish their degree here
- Earnings (10yr)
- $72,200 A
- Top 6% nationally — exceptional earning power
- Net Price
- $11,655 B-
- 32% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 15% A
- Admits roughly 15% — highly selective
Bottom line: A B overall grade — strong outcomes across the board. 42.0× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $42.0 over 20 years. Ranked #1 in Best Large Universities.
Every $1 spent returns $42.0 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,911,919.
What The Data Says
-
A B overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
-
Graduates earn 77% more than the national college median.
-
A 92% graduation rate — 60% above the national average.
-
Every $1 invested returns $42.0 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Economic Footprint
- Inventor Rate
- 0.5%
- Top 49%
- Patents
- 137
- Linked to graduates
- World Rank
- #30
- Times Higher Education
- Patent Citations
- 85
- Downstream influence
- Research Score
- 75/100
- Times Higher Education
Why University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Matters
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university in Chapel Hill, NC ranked #30 in the world by Times Higher Education, and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by selective admissions, a top-tier research enterprise, a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network, and low net price paired with solid completion. The result: graduates whose earnings land in the top 6% of all U.S. colleges.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R1 · Very High Research
- Enrollment
- 20,752
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Biology & Biomedical, Social Sciences, Business & Marketing, Computer Science & IT
Why students choose University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Highly selective — admits about 15% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1390–1530. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $11,655 a year after grants and scholarships — 32% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $72,200 ten years after enrolling — 77% above the typical college, against $14,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.2% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 67% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.68 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of just 15%, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill attracts students who are ready to dive into a diverse range of studies, including Biology, Business, and Communications. This school is a great fit for those who thrive in a competitive environment and are looking for strong academic support. The impressive graduation rate of 92% indicates a solid commitment to student success, meaning you'll likely find yourself in a community that values achievement and collaboration.
After graduation, students can expect to earn an average of $72,200 within a decade, which is a pretty solid starting point for many. This level of earning power suggests that the programs offered here are well-aligned with job market needs. Additionally, the cost of attendance is manageable, with a net price of $11,655 after aid, making it a compelling choice for those concerned about financial barriers.
When it comes to debt, the median load of $14,000 is relatively low compared to what many graduates face elsewhere. This means that students who manage their finances well can leave college with a degree of financial freedom. Generally, those who thrive here are driven and engaged, ready to take advantage of the rich academic and social resources that UNC Chapel Hill has to offer.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill sets a competitive bar: about 15% of applicants get an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,439. The graduation rate is roughly 92%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 15%
- Retention Rate
- 97%
- SAT Average
- 1439
- ACT Midpoint
- 25
- SAT Range
- 1390–1530
- ACT Range
- 28–34
- Full-Time Faculty
- 78%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $15,046
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 17:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.67
- First-Gen Students
- 20%
- Applicants
- 56,341
- Admitted
- 9,639
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is $41,203, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $11,655. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $2,004 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $14,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $8,994
- Out-of-State
- $41,203
- Avg Net Price
- $11,655
- Median Debt
- $14,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 20%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 13%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $2,004
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $3,918
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $8,538
- Family Income $110K+
- $24,396
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill earn a median of $72,200, well above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $57,057
- 8 Years
- $65,584
- 10 Years
- $72,200
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.19x
- Earning > $25K
- 78%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (3,374)
- 85%
- 100% (3,374)
- 85%
- 100% (3,374)
- 85%
- 100% (3,374)
- 85%
Where Grads Go
Top employers of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s MBA graduates, by hires reported in the school’s employment report.
How University Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $11,655/year ($46,620 total). Graduates earn $72,200 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,958,539 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,911,919 (42.0× your investment). The median debt is $14,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 92% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $46,620
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,958,539
- Net Return
- $1,911,919
- ROI Multiple
- 42.0×
- Cost Per Year
- $11,655
- Median Debt
- $14,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 92%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.15%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is narrower: only about 3.5% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 33.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $129,500, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.15%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 33.3%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 3.5%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $175,945
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Research & Teaching
Data: Times Higher Education World University Rankings
How Research-Intensive Is University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill? World Rank, Teaching & Citations
Times Higher Education places University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill at #30 worldwide, a mark of serious research standing. Its profile spans a research score of 75/100, teaching at 71/100, and citation impact of 85/100, reflecting both the volume of research output and how often that work is cited by scholars elsewhere.
- World Rank
- #30
- Teaching
- 70.9
- Research
- 75.1
- Citations
- 85
- International
- 21.5
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill produces inventors at a measurable rate, with 137 patents tied to its graduates, and ranks among research universities with a 75/100 research score.
- Inventor Rate
- 0.45%
- Top 49% nationally
- Patents Produced
- 137
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 85
- Downstream influence
- Research Score
- 75/100
- Times Higher Ed
- Academic Influence
- 85/100
- Citation impact (THE)
- Industry Engagement
- 50/100
- Knowledge transfer (THE)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
Top Programs
The fields University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Biology & Biomedical 15%
- Social Sciences 14%
- Business & Marketing 9%
- Computer Science & IT 9%
- Communications 9%
- Health Professions 6% $70,738 early-career
- Mathematics & Statistics 4%
- Engineering 3%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- B-AI/ML Engineer$156,000 · 23% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Computer Vision Engineer$145,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CPhysicist$142,850 · 5% growthAdaptable 66
- CAstronomer$142,850 · 4% growthAdaptable 66
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill sets a competitive bar: about 15% of applicants get an offer. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,439. The graduation rate is roughly 92%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is $41,203, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $11,655. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $2,004 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $14,000 in federal student loans.
Is University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill earn a median of $72,200, well above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.
Does University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.15%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is narrower: only about 3.5% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 33.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $129,500, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Its economic connectedness score is 1.68, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 9% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
How Research-Intensive Is University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill? World Rank, Teaching & Citations
Times Higher Education places University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill at #30 worldwide, a mark of serious research standing. Its profile spans a research score of 75/100, teaching at 71/100, and citation impact of 85/100, reflecting both the volume of research output and how often that work is cited by scholars elsewhere.
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Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
- University of California-Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA · Close peer93% grad $82,511 earn 9% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar net price
- University of California-Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara, CA · Close peer84% grad $74,915 earn 33% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of Michigan-Ann ArborAnn Arbor, MI · Close peer93% grad $83,648 earn 16% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Clemson UniversityClemson, SC · Close peer87% grad $71,513 earn 38% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of California-IrvineIrvine, CA · Close peer86% grad $80,735 earn 29% acceptWhy: similar grad rate
- Georgia Institute of Technology-Main CampusAtlanta, GA · Close peer93% grad $102,772 earn 14% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Its economic connectedness score is 1.68, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 9% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note