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

Caldwell University and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, two distinct institutions of higher learning, offer unique educational experiences to their students. Caldwell University, a private Catholic university in New Jersey, boasts a close-knit community and a strong focus on liberal arts education. In contrast, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a large public research university in North Carolina, offers a wide range of academic programs and a vibrant campus life. With different acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates, these universities cater to different student needs and aspirations. Explore the comparison table below to discover which university aligns best with your academic goals and personal preferences.

	Caldwell University	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Overview
Location	Caldwell, New Jersey	Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Campus setting	Suburb: 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	74.0%	97.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation	Catholic

Admission
Acceptance rate	96.0%	20.4%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $50	Undergraduate: $85 Graduate: $95
SAT range	1000 - 1310	1140 - 1380
ACT range	N/A	22 - 27
Students submitting SAT score	29.0%	2.0%
Students submitting ACT score		12.0%
Total number of applicants	3,494	50,729
Total number of admissions given out	3,353	10,348
Admitted students who chose to enroll	349	4,690
Yield rate	10.4%	45.3%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Not required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$57,700	In state: $24,770 Out of state: $52,633
Average net price	$16,222	$11,508
Tuition	$34,900	In state: $7,019 Out of state: $34,882
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $6,690 Meal plan: $6,070	Room/dormitory: $6,878 Meal plan: $5,004
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Guaranteed tuition plan Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	99.0% Average amount $31,464	42.0% Average amount $16,076
Students receiving federal student loan	82.0% Average amount $5,515	17.0% Average amount $4,244
Students taking out private loans	5.0% Average amount $18,055	3.0% Average amount $14,032

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	1,631 Men 38.3% Women 61.7%	19,845 Men 39.6% Women 60.4%
Graduate students	467 Men 16.5% Women 83.5%	11,796 Men 41.4% Women 58.6%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Low
Out-of-state students	N/A	16.2%
International students	9.1%	6.8%
Campus local/setting	Suburb: Large	City: Small
Dormitory capacity	607	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	Health Professions Psychology Education Business Computer and Information Science	Health Professions Business Social Sciences Public Administration and Social Service Multidisciplinary Studies
Students to faculty ratio	13:1	15:1
Institutional accreditation	Middle States Commission on Higher Education	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome
Graduation rate	59.0%	90.5%
Dropout rate	13.0%	3.7%
Transferred out	27.1%	5.4%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $73,976 Year 2: $72,134 Year 3: $72,625 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $66,949 Year 2: $55,286 Year 3: $68,281 Special Education and Teaching (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $59,124 Year 3: $55,951 Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $44,724 Year 2: $48,041 Year 3: $54,218 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $47,260 Year 3: $48,271 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $39,585 Year 2: $37,568 Year 3: $46,654 English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $32,685 Year 2: $40,485 Year 3: $46,232 Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $28,939 Year 2: $28,443 Year 3: $37,147 Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $24,633 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $33,535 Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $34,077 Year 2: $21,234 Year 3: $27,319	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 primary differences between Caldwell University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC)?

Caldwell University is a private, Catholic university with a smaller student body and a focus on personalized attention. UNC Chapel Hill is a large, public research university known for its broad range of academic programs and strong research focus. Caldwell offers a more intimate learning environment, while UNC provides access to extensive resources and a diverse student population.
How do the academic programs at Caldwell University and UNC Chapel Hill compare?

UNC Chapel Hill offers a significantly wider array of undergraduate and graduate programs, including highly ranked programs in journalism, business, and medicine. Caldwell University offers a more focused selection of programs, with strengths in nursing, education, and business administration. While both offer quality education, UNC's breadth and depth of programs are considerably larger.
What is the difference in cost of attendance between Caldwell University and UNC Chapel Hill?

Caldwell University, as a private institution, generally has a higher tuition cost than UNC Chapel Hill, especially for out-of-state students. UNC Chapel Hill, as a public university, offers significantly lower tuition rates for North Carolina residents. However, financial aid packages can vary, so it's essential to compare the net cost (tuition minus financial aid) at both institutions based on your individual circumstances.
What is the campus environment like at Caldwell University versus UNC Chapel Hill?

Caldwell University offers a close-knit, community-oriented campus environment with smaller class sizes and more opportunities for interaction with faculty. UNC Chapel Hill has a vibrant and diverse campus life with a wide range of student organizations, athletic events, and cultural activities. UNC's campus is much larger and offers a more bustling atmosphere.
How do the student populations differ between Caldwell University and UNC Chapel Hill?

Caldwell University has a smaller, more regionally focused student body, primarily drawing students from New Jersey and the surrounding areas. UNC Chapel Hill has a much larger and more diverse student body, attracting students from across the United States and internationally. UNC's student body reflects a wider range of backgrounds, interests, and perspectives.
What are the career opportunities and alumni networks like for graduates of Caldwell University and UNC Chapel Hill?

UNC Chapel Hill boasts a vast and influential alumni network that spans various industries and geographic locations, providing graduates with extensive career opportunities and networking connections. Caldwell University's alumni network is smaller but still valuable, particularly within the New Jersey region. UNC's larger size and broader reach generally translate to more diverse career pathways for its graduates.
What are the admission requirements for Caldwell University and UNC Chapel Hill?

UNC Chapel Hill is highly selective, requiring strong academic records, standardized test scores (though test-optional policies may apply), and compelling essays. Caldwell University has a more holistic admission process, considering a range of factors including academic performance, extracurricular activities, and personal qualities. Generally, UNC's admission standards are significantly more competitive.
Does location play a significant role in choosing between Caldwell University and UNC Chapel Hill?

Yes, location is a key factor. Caldwell University is located in Caldwell, New Jersey, offering a suburban setting with easy access to New York City. UNC Chapel Hill is located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, a vibrant college town in the Research Triangle region. Your preference for a suburban environment near a major city versus a college town in the South should influence your decision.
What kind of student is best suited for Caldwell University versus UNC Chapel Hill?

Caldwell University is a good fit for students who thrive in a smaller, more personalized learning environment and value close relationships with faculty. UNC Chapel Hill is well-suited for students who seek a large, research-oriented university with a wide range of academic and extracurricular opportunities and enjoy a diverse and dynamic campus environment.
Do both Caldwell University and UNC Chapel Hill offer athletic programs?

Yes, both universities offer athletic programs. Caldwell University competes in NCAA Division II athletics. UNC Chapel Hill competes in NCAA Division I athletics, specifically the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), and has a strong tradition of success in various sports, particularly basketball.

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