American University vs University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC)

American University and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. American University, located in the heart of Washington, D.C., boasts a diverse student body and a strong focus on international relations and public policy. In contrast, UNC-Chapel Hill, situated in the vibrant college town of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, is known for its strong liberal arts and sciences programs and its rich athletic tradition. With different acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates, these universities cater to different student preferences and aspirations. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to discover which university aligns best with your academic goals and personal preferences.

	American University	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Overview
Location	Washington, District of Columbia	Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Campus setting	City: Large	City: Small
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	90.0%	97.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation	Methodism

Admission
Acceptance rate	64.1%	20.4%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $75 Graduate: $61	Undergraduate: $85 Graduate: $95
SAT range	1280 - 1440	1140 - 1380
ACT range	29 - 33	22 - 27
Students submitting SAT score	28.0%	2.0%
Students submitting ACT score	18.0%	12.0%
Total number of applicants	19,650	50,729
Total number of admissions given out	12,594	10,348
Admitted students who chose to enroll	2,372	4,690
Yield rate	18.8%	45.3%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$70,512	In state: $24,770 Out of state: $52,633
Average net price	$28,622	$11,508
Tuition	$52,542	In state: $7,019 Out of state: $34,882
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $10,096 Meal plan: $6,314	Room/dormitory: $6,878 Meal plan: $5,004
Available payment plans	Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan	Guaranteed tuition plan Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	64.0% Average amount $27,332	42.0% Average amount $16,076
Students receiving federal student loan	38.0% Average amount $4,933	17.0% Average amount $4,244
Students taking out private loans	4.0% Average amount $25,877	3.0% Average amount $14,032

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	8,463 Men 37.2% Women 62.8%	19,845 Men 39.6% Women 60.4%
Graduate students	6,389 Men 37.1% Women 62.9%	11,796 Men 41.4% Women 58.6%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	N/A	16.2%
International students	10.6%	6.8%
Campus local/setting	City: Large	City: Small
Dormitory capacity	4,080	9,984
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	N/A	North Carolina Georgia Maryland New York Pennsylvania

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Legal Profession Social Sciences Public Administration and Social Service Education	Health Professions Business Social Sciences Public Administration and Social Service Multidisciplinary Studies
Students to faculty ratio	12:1	15:1
Institutional accreditation	Middle States Commission on Higher Education	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome
Graduation rate	78.7%	90.5%
Dropout rate	20.9%	3.7%
Transferred out	N/A	5.4%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Taxation (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $93,187 Year 2: $97,907 Year 3: $111,993 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $89,205 Year 2: $99,458 Year 3: $107,216 Economics (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $62,457 Year 2: $69,338 Year 3: $93,099 Public Administration (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $69,734 Year 2: $74,953 Year 3: $85,544 Public Policy Analysis (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $59,308 Year 2: $60,771 Year 3: $80,276 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $60,267 Year 2: $63,203 Year 3: $78,002 Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $61,356 Year 2: $69,338 Year 3: $76,697 Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $66,014 Year 3: $76,448 International Relations and National Security Studies (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $59,460 Year 2: $63,692 Year 3: $73,342 Curriculum and Instruction (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $63,600 Year 3: $72,861	Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $168,979 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $238,213 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $135,965 Year 2: $127,836 Year 3: $150,089 Dentistry (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $116,248 Year 2: $82,440 Year 3: $128,102 Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $67,961 Year 2: $103,078 Year 3: $117,488 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $89,271 Year 2: $86,036 Year 3: $96,602 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $74,162 Year 2: $72,083 Year 3: $95,204 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $74,938 Year 2: $73,823 Year 3: $89,917 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $71,557 Year 2: $57,770 Year 3: $87,057 Applied Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $64,899 Year 2: $67,660 Year 3: $86,155 Health and Medical Administrative Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $68,205 Year 2: $68,666 Year 3: $82,520

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key differences in location between American University (AU) and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC)?

American University is located in Washington, D.C., providing students with unparalleled access to government, international organizations, and cultural institutions. UNC-Chapel Hill is situated in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, a more traditional college town environment with close proximity to the Research Triangle Park, offering opportunities in technology and research.
How do the academic programs compare at AU and UNC?

Both universities offer a wide range of academic programs. AU is particularly strong in international relations, political science, communications, and journalism, leveraging its D.C. location. UNC-Chapel Hill excels in programs like business, medicine, law, and the humanities, with a strong emphasis on research across various disciplines. UNC also has a well-regarded public health program.
What is the student life like at American University versus UNC?

Student life at AU is heavily influenced by its urban setting. Students often engage in internships, political activism, and exploring the city's diverse offerings. UNC-Chapel Hill offers a more traditional college experience with a strong emphasis on campus traditions, athletics (especially basketball), and a vibrant social scene within the college town of Chapel Hill.
How does the cost of attendance compare between AU and UNC?

American University is a private institution, and therefore, the cost of attendance, including tuition, fees, and room and board, is generally higher than at UNC-Chapel Hill, which is a public university. However, both universities offer financial aid and scholarship opportunities to help offset costs. UNC offers in-state tuition rates that are significantly lower than out-of-state tuition, making it more affordable for North Carolina residents.
What are the admission requirements like for American University and UNC?

Both universities are highly selective. Admission to both institutions requires a strong academic record, including a rigorous high school curriculum. AU often places a greater emphasis on demonstrated interest and extracurricular activities, given its location and focus on experiential learning. UNC-Chapel Hill considers academic performance, extracurricular involvement, essays, and letters of recommendation. Both schools are test-optional for admissions.
How do the campus environments differ between AU and UNC?

AU's campus is located in a residential area of Washington, D.C., offering a blend of green spaces and urban convenience. UNC-Chapel Hill boasts a classic Southern campus with historic buildings, beautiful quads, and a strong sense of community. The campus is more self-contained, fostering a close-knit atmosphere.
What are the career prospects like for graduates of AU and UNC?

Graduates of American University often pursue careers in government, international affairs, journalism, and communications, taking advantage of their D.C. connections. UNC-Chapel Hill graduates find success in a variety of fields, including business, medicine, law, and technology, with strong networks in North Carolina and beyond. Both universities have robust career services to assist students with job placement and career development.
How do the research opportunities compare at AU and UNC?

Both universities offer significant research opportunities. UNC-Chapel Hill is a major research institution with extensive resources and funding, particularly in areas like medicine, public health, and the sciences. AU also provides research opportunities, especially in areas related to its academic strengths, such as international relations and communications, often involving access to D.C.-based organizations and think tanks.
What is the diversity like at American University and UNC?

Both universities strive for diversity. AU, located in a diverse city, has a student body that reflects a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives. UNC-Chapel Hill is working to increase its diversity and has a growing international student population. Both universities have initiatives to promote inclusivity and support students from all backgrounds.
Which university is better for someone interested in politics and government?

American University is generally considered to be the better choice for students specifically interested in politics and government due to its location in Washington, D.C., and its strong programs in political science, international relations, and public affairs. Students have unparalleled access to internships, networking opportunities, and real-world experiences in the nation's capital. While UNC also offers strong political science programs, AU's location provides a distinct advantage.

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