Head-to-Head Comparison
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill vs Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
Atlanta, GA
- North Carolina Wins
- 21
- Tied
- 9
- Georgia Technology-Main Wins
- 23
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus achieves a higher graduation rate (93% vs 92%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $12,116 compared to University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's $11,655. 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.
53 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 $461 a year less
- Less debt: Median debt of $14,000, the lower of the two
Georgia Technology-Main
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $102,772 ten years after enrollment, 42% more than University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 1.9%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
- Research prestige: THE World Rank #27
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
North Carolina graduates concentrate in Biology & Biomedical (15% of degrees); Georgia Technology-Main in Engineering (42%). 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 Georgia Institute of Technology over University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Median earnings of $102,772 ten years after enrollment vs $72,200.
Pick University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill over Georgia Institute of Technology. Net price $11,655 vs $12,116.
Pick Georgia Institute of Technology over University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. THE World Rank #27 vs #30.
Pick Georgia Institute of Technology over University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 1.9% mobility rate vs 1.2%.
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 Georgia Institute of Technology are close on paper, but Georgia Institute of Technology 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
Georgia Institute of Technology 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, 1,439 to 1,480.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Georgia Institute of Technology 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 $461 a year below Georgia Institute of Technology's $12,116. Graduates of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill also borrow less: median debt of $14,000, against $21,672.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $1,844 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, Georgia Institute of Technology graduates report median earnings of $102,772, compared with $72,200 at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. That is a 42% 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 42% 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
Georgia Institute of Technology does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 1.9%; 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, Georgia Institute of Technology 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, Georgia Institute of Technology sits higher, at #27 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 Georgia Institute of Technology 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 $461 a year, yet Georgia Institute of Technology graduates earn $30,572 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 Biology & Biomedical, Social Sciences, while Georgia Institute of Technology leans toward Engineering, Computer Science & IT. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's enrollment, and Georgia Institute of Technology is stronger here.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $21,672, against $14,000 at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Georgia Technology-Main holds onto its admits more tightly: 46% of admitted students enroll, versus 0% at North Carolina — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Test scores matter less at North Carolina, where only about 69% 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) 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 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.
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
Atlanta, GA · Public
Georgia Institute of Technology has an impressive graduation rate of 93%, showcasing its commitment to student success. This high rate indicates that most students not only enroll but also complete their degrees, a critical factor for anyone considering their future at this institution.
Graduates from Georgia Tech see significant financial returns, earning a median salary of $102,772 a decade after finishing their degrees. This strong earning potential underscores the effectiveness of the education provided, particularly in high-demand fields like engineering and computer science. The school plays an important role in enhancing economic mobility, although specific rates for low-income students are not available.
With a net price of $12,116 and a median debt of $21,672, Georgia Tech presents a financially manageable option for many students. Those who thrive here are typically driven, with a focus on STEM fields, and come from diverse backgrounds. The competitive acceptance rate of 14% reflects the school's selectivity, attracting students who are ready to engage in rigorous academic challenges.
Rankings They Appear On
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is featured on the Best Large Universities ranking.
Top Degree Programs
North Carolina's top program is Biology (15% of enrollment), while Georgia Technology-Main leads with Mechanical Engineering (42%).
North Carolina
Georgia Technology-Main
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 Georgia Technology-Main).
The two schools feed different job markets. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is strongest in Social Sciences, while Georgia Institute of Technology 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 Georgia Institute of Technology?
Georgia Institute of Technology is harder to get into, admitting 14% 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 Georgia Institute of Technology?
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is more affordable, with an average net price of $11,655 after aid versus $12,116 at Georgia Institute of Technology.
Do University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill or Georgia Institute of Technology graduates earn more?
Georgia Institute of Technology graduates earn more: median earnings of $102,772 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 Georgia Institute of Technology?
Georgia Institute of Technology has the higher graduation rate, 93% versus 92%.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill vs Georgia Institute of Technology: which is better for social mobility?
Georgia Institute of Technology is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 1.9% versus 1.2%.
Should you choose University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill or Georgia Institute of Technology?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Georgia Institute of Technology 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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