Head-to-Head Comparison
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill vs Duke University
- North Carolina Wins
- 17
- Tied
- 10
- Duke Wins
- 27
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Duke University achieves a higher graduation rate (96% vs 92%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $29,612 compared to University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's $11,655. 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.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
North Carolina
- Lower cost: Average net price of $11,655, roughly $17,957 a year less
Duke
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $97,800 ten years after enrollment, 35% more than University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Higher grad rate: 96% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $13,000, the lower of the two
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 1.6%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
- More selective: Admits 6% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
- Research prestige: THE World Rank #24
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
North Carolina graduates concentrate in Biology & Biomedical (15% of degrees); Duke in Engineering (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 Duke University over University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Median earnings of $97,800 ten years after enrollment vs $72,200.
Pick University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill over Duke University. Net price $11,655 vs $29,612.
Pick Duke University over University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. THE World Rank #24 vs #30.
Pick Duke University over University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 1.6% mobility rate vs 1.2%.
Pick Duke University over University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 96% completion rate vs 92%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Duke University are close on paper, but Duke University wins the head-to-head, leading on 5 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Duke University is the harder admit. It takes 6% of applicants, while University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill takes 15%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,439 to 1,548.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Duke 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 $17,957 a year below Duke University's $29,612. Graduates of Duke University also borrow less: median debt of $13,000, against $14,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $71,828 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, Duke University graduates report median earnings of $97,800, compared with $72,200 at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. That is a 35% advantage. Set against borrowing, Duke University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.13x to 0.19x.
So what: An earnings gap of 35% 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
Duke University graduates a larger share of its students, 96% versus 92%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 5% 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
Duke University does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 1.6%; at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, it is 1.2%. 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 3.2%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Duke 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.
Research standing
In the Times Higher Education world table, Duke University sits higher, at #24 versus #30.
So what: Research rank matters most for students headed to graduate school or hoping to work in faculty labs. For undergraduates going straight into the job market, it is a weak predictor of earnings.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to keep costs and debt down; pick Duke 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 $17,957 a year, yet Duke University graduates earn $25,600 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 North Carolina at Chapel Hill concentrates enrollment in Business & Marketing, while Duke University leans toward Engineering. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Engineering-focused students: Duke University has the stronger engineering programs.
- Students who want a smaller campus: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's enrollment of 20,752 far exceeds Duke University's 6,442.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $29,612 runs well above University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's $11,655.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Duke holds onto its admits more tightly: 59% of admitted students enroll, versus 0% at North Carolina — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Duke 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.
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
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.
Duke University
Durham, NC · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 6%, Duke University is a place where ambitious students thrive. It attracts those who are serious about their education and want to dive deep into areas like Social Sciences, Computer Science, Biology, Engineering, and Health Professions. The community here is vibrant, and students often find themselves surrounded by peers who share a passion for learning and a drive to make an impact.
Looking ahead to life after graduation, students from Duke can expect strong earning potential, with a median salary of $97,800 a decade after they leave. That’s a solid return on investment, especially considering the affordable nature of the education relative to earnings. Graduates tend to find good job opportunities, reflecting the high graduation rate of 96%. This means that most students not only complete their degrees but also enter the workforce prepared and competitive.
On the financial side, the net price for students, after aid, stands at $29,612, which is manageable given the earnings potential. The typical debt load is $13,000, which is relatively low and suggests that many students can graduate without being weighed down by heavy financial burdens. This creates an environment where motivated individuals can thrive, especially those who are eager to leverage their education into successful careers.
Rankings They Appear On
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Duke University appear together in 2 rankings. On the Best Biology Colleges in North Carolina, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ranks #1 — University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill outranks Duke University by 1 positions.
Top Degree Programs
North Carolina's top program is Biology (15% of enrollment), while Duke leads with Mechanical Engineering (15%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for North Carolina) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Duke).
The two schools feed different job markets. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is strongest in Business & Marketing, while Duke University concentrates in Engineering. 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 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill or Duke University?
Duke University is harder to get into, admitting 6% of applicants compared with 15% at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Which is more affordable, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill or Duke University?
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is more affordable, with an average net price of $11,655 after aid versus $29,612 at Duke University.
Do University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill or Duke University graduates earn more?
Duke University graduates earn more: median earnings of $97,800 ten years after enrollment, versus $72,200 at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Which has a better graduation rate, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill or Duke University?
Duke University has the higher graduation rate, 96% versus 92%.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill vs Duke University: which is better for social mobility?
Duke University is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 1.6% versus 1.2%.
Should you choose University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill or Duke University?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Duke 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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