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

When it comes to choosing the right university, it's essential to compare institutions to find the best fit. The University of Chicago and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, both highly regarded institutions, offer distinct experiences. The University of Chicago, known for its rigorous academics and urban setting, boasts a lower acceptance rate and a higher proportion of international students. In contrast, UNC-Chapel Hill, situated in a vibrant college town, offers a more diverse student body and a wider range of undergraduate programs. While both universities excel in research and offer strong career prospects, UNC-Chapel Hill has a slightly higher graduation rate. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to delve into specific details and make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	University of Chicago	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Overview
Location	Chicago, Illinois	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	Quarter	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	99.0%	97.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	6.5%	20.4%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $75 Graduate: $90	Undergraduate: $85 Graduate: $95
SAT range	1510 - 1580	1140 - 1380
ACT range	33 - 35	22 - 27
Students submitting SAT score	49.0%	2.0%
Students submitting ACT score	35.0%	12.0%
Total number of applicants	37,974	50,729
Total number of admissions given out	2,460	10,348
Admitted students who chose to enroll	2,053	4,690
Yield rate	83.5%	45.3%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Not 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	$84,126	In state: $24,770 Out of state: $52,633
Average net price	$33,727	$11,508
Tuition	$59,256	In state: $7,019 Out of state: $34,882
Room & board	$17,685	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)	52.0% Average amount $48,412	42.0% Average amount $16,076
Students receiving federal student loan	6.0% Average amount $5,265	17.0% Average amount $4,244
Students taking out private loans	2.0% Average amount $37,860	3.0% Average amount $14,032

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	7,636 Men 52.2% Women 47.8%	19,845 Men 39.6% Women 60.4%
Graduate students	11,196 Men 55.1% Women 44.9%	11,796 Men 41.4% Women 58.6%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Low
Out-of-state students	N/A	16.2%
International students	28.5%	6.8%
Campus local/setting	City: Large	City: Small
Dormitory capacity	4,584	9,984
First year students are required to live on campus?	Yes	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 Social Sciences Mathematics and Statistics Public Administration and Social Service Computer and Information Science	Health Professions Business Social Sciences Public Administration and Social Service Multidisciplinary Studies
Students to faculty ratio	5:1	15:1
Institutional accreditation	Higher Learning Commission	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome
Graduation rate	95.9%	90.5%
Dropout rate	1.7%	3.7%
Transferred out	N/A	5.4%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $181,006 Year 2: $171,510 Year 3: $219,263 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $159,677 Year 2: $159,442 Year 3: $178,485 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $93,918 Year 2: $91,211 Year 3: $142,172 Statistics (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $119,416 Year 2: $116,083 Year 3: $131,549 Computer Science (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $108,094 Year 2: $92,277 Year 3: $105,545 Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $82,564 Year 2: $85,637 Year 3: $96,012 Criminal Justice and Corrections (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $99,684 Year 2: $84,653 Year 3: $91,550 Public Policy Analysis (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $71,121 Year 2: $70,083 Year 3: $82,672 Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $81,753 Year 2: $72,022 Year 3: $81,130 Public Policy Analysis (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $51,165 Year 2: $52,663 Year 3: $73,510	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 main differences between the University of Chicago and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?

The University of Chicago is a private research university known for its rigorous academics, particularly in the humanities and social sciences, and its emphasis on theoretical learning. UNC Chapel Hill, on the other hand, is a public research university with a strong tradition in liberal arts and professional programs, offering a broader range of undergraduate majors and a more accessible cost of attendance for in-state students. UChicago is located in a major metropolitan area, while UNC Chapel Hill offers a more traditional college town experience.
Which university is more selective?

The University of Chicago is significantly more selective than UNC Chapel Hill. UChicago consistently has a lower acceptance rate, reflecting its highly competitive applicant pool. UNC Chapel Hill, while still selective, admits a larger percentage of applicants, especially those from North Carolina.
How do the costs of attending compare?

The University of Chicago, as a private institution, has a higher tuition cost than UNC Chapel Hill. UNC Chapel Hill offers significantly lower tuition rates for in-state residents, making it a more affordable option for North Carolina students. Out-of-state tuition at UNC Chapel Hill is still generally lower than UChicago's tuition, but the difference is less dramatic. Both universities offer financial aid and scholarships to eligible students.
What are the academic strengths of each university?

The University of Chicago is renowned for its core curriculum and strengths in economics, law, history, sociology, and physics. UNC Chapel Hill excels in journalism, business, medicine, public health, and chemistry. Both universities have strong research programs across various disciplines.
What is the campus environment like at each university?

The University of Chicago has a more intense and intellectually focused campus environment, with a strong emphasis on academic rigor and debate. UNC Chapel Hill offers a more traditional college experience, with a vibrant social scene, strong school spirit, and a greater emphasis on athletics. UChicago is located in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago, a major city, while UNC Chapel Hill is situated in the quintessential college town of Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
Which university is better for students interested in research?

Both the University of Chicago and UNC Chapel Hill are excellent choices for students interested in research. Both are R1 research universities. The best choice depends on the specific field of study. UChicago has particular strengths in theoretical research, while UNC Chapel Hill offers strong opportunities in applied and clinical research, especially in the health sciences.
How do the career services compare?

Both universities offer comprehensive career services, including career counseling, resume workshops, and internship opportunities. The University of Chicago's location in a major metropolitan area provides access to a wide range of internships and job opportunities in various industries. UNC Chapel Hill has strong connections to employers in the Southeast region and beyond, particularly in fields like finance, technology, and healthcare.
What is the student body like at each university?

The University of Chicago has a smaller undergraduate student body than UNC Chapel Hill. UChicago's student body is known for its intellectual curiosity and diverse backgrounds. UNC Chapel Hill has a larger and more diverse student body, reflecting the demographics of North Carolina and beyond. Both universities attract students from all over the world.
How do the alumni networks compare?

Both the University of Chicago and UNC Chapel Hill have strong and active alumni networks. UChicago's alumni network is particularly influential in academia, law, and finance. UNC Chapel Hill's alumni network is extensive and well-connected, especially in the Southeast region, with strong representation in business, media, and public service. Both networks provide valuable resources and connections for graduates.
Which university is better for pre-med students?

Both universities offer excellent preparation for medical school. UNC Chapel Hill has a strong advantage due to its affiliated medical school and extensive research opportunities in the health sciences. The University of Chicago also has a strong pre-med program, with rigorous academics and research opportunities at its medical center. The best choice depends on individual preferences and research interests.

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