Head-to-Head Comparison
University of California-Los Angeles vs University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of California-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC
- California-Los Angeles Wins
- 16
- Tied
- 21
- North Carolina Wins
- 16
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill offers a significantly safer investment tier. While University of California-Los Angeles achieves a higher graduation rate (93% vs 92%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $12,548 compared to University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's $11,655 for in-state paths. Students who choose University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $72,200 at ten years.
53 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
California-Los Angeles
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $82,511 ten years after enrollment, 14% more than University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- More selective: Admits 9% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
North Carolina
- Lower cost: Average net price of $11,655, roughly $893 a year less
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
California-Los Angeles graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (25% 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 University of California-Los Angeles over University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Median earnings of $82,511 ten years after enrollment vs $72,200.
Pick University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill over University of California-Los Angeles. Net price $11,655 vs $12,548.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
University of California-Los Angeles and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are close on paper, but University of California-Los Angeles wins the head-to-head, leading on 3 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 California-Los Angeles is the harder admit. It takes 9% of applicants, while University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill takes 15%.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, University of California-Los Angeles 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 $893 a year below University of California-Los Angeles's $12,548.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $3,572 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, University of California-Los Angeles graduates report median earnings of $82,511, compared with $72,200 at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. That is a 14% advantage. Set against borrowing, University of California-Los Angeles has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.17x to 0.19x.
So what: An earnings gap of 14% 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.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to keep costs and debt down; pick University of California-Los Angeles for the higher earnings ceiling.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 5 of 6 core signals used here; where one school is missing a figure, that row is left out of the comparison rather than estimated.
Counterintuitive Insights
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill saves about $893 a year, yet University of California-Los Angeles graduates earn $10,311 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Their academic identities diverge. University of California-Los Angeles concentrates enrollment in Psychology, 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
- Students who want a smaller campus: University of California-Los Angeles's enrollment of 33,475 far exceeds University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's 20,752.
No strong negative signals — North Carolina competes well across the dimensions measured.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
California-Los Angeles holds onto its admits more tightly: 48% of admitted students enroll, versus 0% at North Carolina — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices.
Source: each school's published Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi.
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 5 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
University of California-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA · Public
Only 9% of applicants gain admission to the University of California-Los Angeles, making it one of the most selective public universities in the country. With an enrollment of nearly 33,500 students, UCLA combines a competitive environment with a high graduation rate of 93%. This commitment to student success reflects the university's dedication to academic excellence.
Graduates from UCLA see strong financial outcomes, with a median earnings of $82,511 a decade after graduation. While specific mobility metrics are not available, the university's programs in fields like Social Sciences, Biology, and Engineering contribute to its reputation for fostering upward economic mobility among its graduates. The 28% of students receiving Pell Grants highlights its support for low-income students, balancing accessibility with high achievement.
Attending UCLA comes with a net price of $12,548 and a median debt of $14,000, making it a financially viable option for many students. Those who thrive here are often driven, academically inclined, and eager to engage in a vibrant campus culture. With a strong focus on research and a diverse student body, UCLA is well-suited for those looking to make an impact in their chosen fields.
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 Biology Colleges in North Carolina ranking.
Top Degree Programs
California-Los Angeles's top program is Sociology (25% of enrollment), while North Carolina leads with Biology (15%).
California-Los Angeles
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Mechanical Engineer, Civil Engineer, Electrical Engineer (for California-Los Angeles) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for North Carolina).
The two schools feed different job markets. University of California-Los Angeles is strongest in Psychology, Engineering, while University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill concentrates in Business & Marketing, Computer Science & IT. 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.
California-Los Angeles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into University of California-Los Angeles or University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?
University of California-Los Angeles is harder to get into, admitting 9% of applicants compared with 15% at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Which is more affordable, University of California-Los Angeles 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 $12,548 at University of California-Los Angeles.
Do University of California-Los Angeles or University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill graduates earn more?
University of California-Los Angeles graduates earn more: median earnings of $82,511 ten years after enrollment, versus $72,200 at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Which has a better graduation rate, University of California-Los Angeles or University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?
University of California-Los Angeles has the higher graduation rate, 93% versus 92%.
Should you choose University of California-Los Angeles 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 University of California-Los Angeles 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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