Head-to-Head Comparison
Bentley University vs University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Bentley Wins
- 13
- Tied
- 15
- North Carolina Wins
- 26
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $11,655 vs Bentley University's $37,930, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Bentley
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $120,959 ten years after enrollment, 68% more than University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 2.9%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
North Carolina
- Lower cost: Average net price of $11,655, roughly $26,275 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 92% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $14,000, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 15% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Bentley graduates concentrate in Business & Marketing (90% of degrees); North Carolina in Biology & Biomedical (15%). If you already know the field you want, the choice is mostly made for you.
Based on each school's share of degrees by field (College Scorecard). It shows where graduates actually concentrate, not the only path a school offers.
Which School Fits You?
Pick Bentley University over University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Median earnings of $120,959 ten years after enrollment vs $72,200.
Pick University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill over Bentley University. Net price $11,655 vs $37,930.
Pick Bentley University over University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 2.9% mobility rate vs 1.2%.
Pick University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill over Bentley University. 92% completion rate vs 88%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Bentley University and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are close on paper, but University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill wins the head-to-head, leading on 4 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is the harder admit. It takes 15% of applicants, while Bentley University takes 45%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,352 to 1,439.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill sets the higher bar. The less selective school is easier to get into, which can work in your favor rather than against it.
What it costs
On price, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $11,655, about $26,275 a year below Bentley University's $37,930. Graduates of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill also borrow less: median debt of $14,000, against $25,023.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $105,100 before any change in aid. Choosing University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Bentley University graduates report median earnings of $120,959, compared with $72,200 at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. That is a 68% advantage. Set against borrowing, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.19x to 0.21x.
So what: An earnings gap of 68% this early in a career tends to widen, since raises build on the higher base. Of the measures on this page, this one carries the most financial weight.
Finishing the degree
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill graduates a larger share of its students, 92% versus 88%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 4% is a risk measure. Students at the school with the lower rate face higher odds of leaving with debt and no degree, the most expensive outcome in higher education.
Moving people up
Bentley University does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 2.9%; at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, it is 1.2%. Bentley University also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 4.9% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 3.5%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Bentley University offers the stronger statistical shot at reaching the top of the income distribution. The gap is wide enough to weigh in any access-minded decision.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to keep costs and debt down; pick Bentley University for the higher earnings ceiling.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 6 of 6 core signals used here, so every comparison above matches reported data against reported data.
Counterintuitive Insights
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill saves about $26,275 a year, yet Bentley University graduates earn $48,759 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is harder to get into, with a 15% admit rate, but Bentley University posts the higher mobility rate, at 2.9%. Selectivity and income mobility measure different things; here, the easier admit does more for the low-income students it enrolls.
Their academic identities diverge. Bentley University concentrates enrollment in Computer Science & IT, while University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill leans toward Biology & Biomedical. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $37,930 runs well above University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's $11,655.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $25,023, against $14,000 at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's enrollment, and Bentley University is stronger here.
- Business and consulting-track students: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has less business program depth, and Bentley University offers the stronger options.
- Students who want a smaller campus: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's enrollment of 20,752 far exceeds Bentley University's 4,474.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Bentley holds onto its admits more tightly: 21% of admitted students enroll, versus 0% at North Carolina — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Bentley offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; North Carolina does not, so there is no early-commitment lever to pull there. Test scores matter less at Bentley, where only about 21% of enrolled freshmen submitted any SAT or ACT.
Source: each school's published Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi.
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 6 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 metrics
Social Mobility (Chetty) 4 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
Research (Times HE) 4 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
Bentley University
Waltham, MA · Private nonprofit
At Bentley University, students who are interested in business, technology, and social sciences will find a supportive environment that encourages growth and collaboration. With an acceptance rate of 45%, this private nonprofit school draws in a diverse group of around 4,474 students. The focus here is on practical skills and real-world applications, making programs in Business & Marketing, Computer Science, and Health Professions particularly popular.
When looking ahead to life after graduation, Bentley graduates see impressive financial outcomes. On average, they earn about $120,959 within ten years of completing their degrees. This figure is significant because it reflects the university's strong emphasis on preparing students for successful careers. While 16% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a commitment to affordability for those who need it, the overall financial picture remains favorable for graduates.
Considering the practicalities, the net price after aid stands at $37,930, which is manageable relative to the median debt of $25,023. This debt load is reasonable and allows many graduates to thrive in their early careers. Bentley is ideal for motivated individuals who are ready to engage deeply with their studies and the broader community, setting themselves up for success in a competitive job market.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC · Public
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 They Appear On
Bentley University is featured on the Best MBA Programs in Massachusetts ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Bentley's top program is Business Administration (90% of enrollment), while North Carolina leads with Biology (15%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Bentley) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for North Carolina).
The two schools feed different job markets. Bentley University is strongest in Communications, while University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill concentrates in Biology & Biomedical. Those concentrations determine which recruiters show up on campus and where alumni cluster by industry. Match the school's program strengths to the field you plan to enter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Bentley University or University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is harder to get into, admitting 15% of applicants compared with 45% at Bentley University.
Which is more affordable, Bentley University or University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is more affordable, with an average net price of $11,655 after aid versus $37,930 at Bentley University.
Do Bentley University or University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill graduates earn more?
Bentley University graduates earn more: median earnings of $120,959 ten years after enrollment, versus $72,200 at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Which has a better graduation rate, Bentley University or University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has the higher graduation rate, 92% versus 88%.
Bentley University vs University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: which is better for social mobility?
Bentley University is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 2.9% versus 1.2%.
Should you choose Bentley University or University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Bentley University if you're optimizing for post-grad earnings. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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