Head-to-Head Comparison
Colgate University vs University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Colgate Wins
- 17
- Tied
- 16
- North Carolina Wins
- 21
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 Colgate University's $28,786, 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
Colgate
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $85,139 ten years after enrollment, 18% more than University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
North Carolina
- Lower cost: Average net price of $11,655, roughly $17,131 a year less
- Less debt: Median debt of $14,000, the lower of the two
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 1.2%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Colgate graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (34% 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 Colgate University over University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Median earnings of $85,139 ten years after enrollment vs $72,200.
Pick University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill over Colgate University. Net price $11,655 vs $28,786.
Pick University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill over Colgate University. 1.2% mobility rate vs 0.9%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Colgate 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
Colgate University is the harder admit. It takes 14% of applicants, while University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill takes 15%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,508 to 1,439.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Colgate University 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 $17,131 a year below Colgate University's $28,786. Graduates of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill also borrow less: median debt of $14,000, against $15,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $68,524 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, Colgate University graduates report median earnings of $85,139, compared with $72,200 at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. That is a 18% advantage. Set against borrowing, Colgate University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.18x to 0.19x.
So what: An earnings gap of 18% 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.
Moving people up
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 1.2%; at Colgate University, it is 0.9%. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 3.5% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 2.4%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 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 Colgate 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 $17,131 a year, yet Colgate University graduates earn $12,939 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Colgate University is harder to get into, with a 14% admit rate, but University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill posts the higher mobility rate, at 1.2%. Selectivity and income mobility measure different things; here, the easier admit does more for the low-income students it enrolls.
Their academic identities diverge. Colgate University concentrates enrollment in Computer Science & IT, while University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill leans toward Business & Marketing. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $28,786 runs well above University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's $11,655.
- Students who want a smaller campus: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's enrollment of 20,752 far exceeds Colgate University's 3,180.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Colgate holds onto its admits more tightly: 29% of admitted students enroll, versus 0% at North Carolina — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Colgate 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 Colgate, where only about 37% 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
Colgate University
Hamilton, NY · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 14%, Colgate University attracts students who are serious about their education and ready to engage deeply with their studies. This school is a great fit for those interested in fields like Social Sciences, Biology, Psychology, Computer Science, and Physical Sciences. The tight-knit community and emphasis on critical thinking make it a place where students can really thrive.
After graduation, Colgate alums see an impressive median earnings of $85,139 after ten years. This strong financial outcome reflects not just the quality of education, but also the commitment of students to leverage their degrees in meaningful ways. While the Pell Grant rate sits at 13%, the majority of students manage to find success in their careers, illustrating that hard work and dedication pay off.
On the practical side, the net price after aid stands at $28,786, which is manageable compared to the potential earnings. The median debt of $15,000 is relatively low, suggesting that most students graduate with a solid financial footing. Those who tend to thrive here are motivated individuals seeking a challenging academic environment and who value the connections made during their time at Colgate.
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
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is featured on the Best Large Universities ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Colgate's top program is Sociology (34% 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 Colgate) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for North Carolina).
The two schools feed different job markets. Colgate University is strongest in Psychology, while University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill concentrates in Business & Marketing. 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 Colgate University or University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?
Colgate University is harder to get into, admitting 14% of applicants compared with 15% at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Which is more affordable, Colgate 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 $28,786 at Colgate University.
Do Colgate University or University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill graduates earn more?
Colgate University graduates earn more: median earnings of $85,139 ten years after enrollment, versus $72,200 at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Which has a better graduation rate, Colgate University or University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has the higher graduation rate, 92% versus 91%.
Colgate University vs University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: which is better for social mobility?
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 1.2% versus 0.9%.
Should you choose Colgate 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 Colgate 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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