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University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) vs University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB)

When it comes to higher education, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) and the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) stand out as two prominent institutions with distinct characteristics. UNC, a public research university, boasts a lower acceptance rate of 23% compared to UAB's 58%, indicating a more selective admissions process. Both universities offer a diverse range of undergraduate programs, with UNC excelling in fields like biology, psychology, and economics, while UAB is renowned for its strengths in nursing, public health, and engineering. UNC's student body is slightly larger, with over 30,000 undergraduates, while UAB has a more intimate community of around 12,000 undergraduates. In terms of graduation rates, UNC holds a slight edge with a 90% four-year graduation rate compared to UAB's 86%. To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison table that delves
University of Alabama at Birmingham logo

University of Alabama at Birmingham

 		University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill logo

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Overview

Location Birmingham, Alabama Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Campus setting City: Midsize City: Small
College type 4 year 4 year
Control/business model Public Public
Calendar system Semester Semester
Degrees offered Undergraduate and Graduate Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate 84.0% 97.0%
Common app member Yes Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission

Acceptance rate 88.5% 20.4%
Application fees
Undergraduate: $40
Graduate: $50
Undergraduate: $85
Graduate: $95
SAT range 1173 - 1388 1140 - 1380
ACT range 23 - 30 22 - 27
Students submitting SAT score 7.0% 2.0%
Students submitting ACT score 65.0% 12.0%
Total number of applicants 11,906 50,729
Total number of admissions given out 10,541 10,348
Admitted students who chose to enroll 2,415 4,690
Yield rate 22.9% 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
In state: $27,630
Out of state: $39,462
In state: $24,770
Out of state: $52,633
Average net price $16,990 $11,508
Tuition
In state: $8,568
Out of state: $20,400
In state: $7,019
Out of state: $34,882
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $7,767
Meal plan: $4,540
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)

 93.0%
Average amount $10,940 		42.0%
Average amount $16,076
Students receiving federal student loan 46.0%
Average amount $5,208 		17.0%
Average amount $4,244
Students taking out private loans 5.0%
Average amount $14,247 		3.0%
Average amount $14,032

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students 13,547
Men 37.9% Women 62.1% 		19,845
Men 39.6% Women 60.4%
Graduate students 8,742
Men 34.1% Women 65.9% 		11,796
Men 41.4% Women 58.6%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Low
Low
Out-of-state students 16.8% 16.2%
International students 5.0% 6.8%
Campus local/setting City: Midsize City: Small
Dormitory capacity 3,480 9,984
First year students are required to live on campus? No No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from Alabama Georgia Tennessee Louisiana Florida North Carolina Georgia Maryland New York Pennsylvania

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Health Professions
  • Business
  • Education
  • Biological and Biomedical Sciences
  • Engineering
  • Health Professions
  • Business
  • Social Sciences
  • Public Administration and Social Service
  • Multidisciplinary Studies
Students to faculty ratio 19:1 15:1
Institutional accreditation Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome

Graduation rate 62.4% 90.5%
Dropout rate 16.5% 3.7%
Transferred out 17.9% 5.4%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences (Graduate/Professional Certificates)
  • Year 1: $158,993
  • Year 2: $169,894
  • Year 3: $175,573
Dentistry (First Professional Degrees)
  • Year 1: $100,128
  • Year 2: $111,769
  • Year 3: $139,245
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees)
  • Year 1: $117,171
  • Year 2: $130,034
  • Year 3: $128,873
Systems Science and Theory (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $67,948
  • Year 2: $122,038
  • Year 3: $123,089
Optometry (First Professional Degrees)
  • Year 1: $91,176
  • Year 2: $96,457
  • Year 3: $107,084
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $98,582
  • Year 2: $99,737
  • Year 3: $105,689
Health and Medical Administrative Services (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $89,298
  • Year 2: $89,564
  • Year 3: $99,770
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $91,552
  • Year 2: $95,215
  • Year 3: $98,530
Management Information Systems and Services (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $78,497
  • Year 2: $84,653
  • Year 3: $94,486
Engineering, General (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $85,743
  • Year 2: $88,820
  • Year 3: $90,200
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 in location and campus environment between UNC Chapel Hill and UAB?

    UNC Chapel Hill is located in the classic college town of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, offering a traditional campus environment with historic buildings and a vibrant student life centered around Franklin Street. UAB, on the other hand, is situated in the heart of downtown Birmingham, Alabama, providing a more urban campus experience with direct access to city amenities and professional opportunities.

  • How do UNC Chapel Hill and UAB compare in terms of academic reputation and rankings?

    UNC Chapel Hill is consistently ranked among the top public universities in the United States, known for its strong liberal arts programs, journalism school, and Kenan-Flagler Business School. UAB is a rising research university, particularly strong in medicine, health sciences, and engineering. While UNC Chapel Hill generally holds a higher overall ranking, UAB excels in specific fields.

  • What is the cost of attendance difference between UNC Chapel Hill and UAB?

    UNC Chapel Hill generally has a lower cost of attendance for in-state students compared to UAB. However, for out-of-state students, the tuition costs are more comparable. It's important to check the most recent tuition and fees on each university's website, as well as explore scholarship and financial aid opportunities, which can significantly impact the final cost.

  • How do the student bodies at UNC Chapel Hill and UAB differ?

    UNC Chapel Hill attracts a large number of students from North Carolina, creating a strong sense of state pride. UAB has a more diverse student body, drawing students from across the United States and internationally, reflecting its urban location and strong graduate programs. Both universities offer a welcoming environment, but the overall composition of the student population varies.

  • What are the strengths of UNC Chapel Hill and UAB in terms of specific academic programs?

    UNC Chapel Hill is renowned for its journalism, business, law, and public health programs. UAB is highly regarded for its medical, nursing, dentistry, and engineering programs, particularly those related to biomedical research. Consider your specific academic interests when evaluating which university aligns best with your goals.

  • What kind of research opportunities are available at UNC Chapel Hill and UAB?

    Both UNC Chapel Hill and UAB are research-intensive universities. UNC Chapel Hill offers a wide range of research opportunities across various disciplines, including humanities, social sciences, and STEM fields. UAB, as a leading medical research institution, provides extensive opportunities in biomedical research, clinical trials, and public health initiatives. Students at both universities can get involved in research through faculty-led projects, independent studies, and dedicated research programs.

  • How do the athletic programs compare between UNC Chapel Hill and UAB?

    UNC Chapel Hill is a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and has a strong tradition in basketball, soccer, and other sports. UAB competes in Conference USA and has a growing athletic program, with notable success in basketball and football. If you're looking for a university with a prominent and nationally recognized athletic program, UNC Chapel Hill might be a better fit. However, UAB offers a supportive and engaging athletic environment as well.

  • What are the career services and internship opportunities like at UNC Chapel Hill and UAB?

    Both UNC Chapel Hill and UAB offer comprehensive career services, including career counseling, resume workshops, and job fairs. UNC Chapel Hill benefits from its strong alumni network and location in the Research Triangle Park, providing access to numerous internship and job opportunities in technology and research. UAB's location in downtown Birmingham offers internships and career opportunities in healthcare, business, and engineering. Both universities actively support students in their career development.

  • What is the campus culture and student life like at UNC Chapel Hill and UAB?

    UNC Chapel Hill has a vibrant campus culture with a strong emphasis on tradition, student government, and Greek life. UAB offers a more diverse and inclusive campus environment, with a focus on community engagement and student organizations catering to a wide range of interests. Both universities provide a supportive and engaging student life experience, but the overall atmosphere and priorities differ.

  • How do UNC Chapel Hill and UAB support diversity and inclusion?

    Both UNC Chapel Hill and UAB are committed to fostering diverse and inclusive campus environments. UNC Chapel Hill has initiatives focused on supporting underrepresented students, promoting intercultural dialogue, and addressing issues of equity and inclusion. UAB, with its diverse student body, has a strong emphasis on creating a welcoming and supportive environment for students from all backgrounds, with various programs and resources dedicated to diversity and inclusion.

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