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University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) vs University of Iowa (UIowa)

When it comes to choosing the right university, it's essential to compare institutions to find the best fit. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the University of Iowa, both reputable public universities, offer distinct experiences. UNC-Chapel Hill boasts a lower acceptance rate, indicating its selectivity, while Iowa is more accessible. UNC-Chapel Hill excels in fields like biology, psychology, and business, while Iowa shines in engineering, nursing, and health professions. UNC-Chapel Hill's student body is more diverse, with a higher percentage of out-of-state students, while Iowa's student body is predominantly in-state. Both universities boast impressive graduation rates, with UNC-Chapel Hill slightly edging out Iowa. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more key differences and make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
University of Iowa logo

University of Iowa

 		University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill logo

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Overview

Location Iowa City, Iowa Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Campus setting City: Small 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 88.0% 97.0%
Common app member Yes Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission

Acceptance rate 86.2% 20.4%
Application fees
Undergraduate: $40
Graduate: $60
Undergraduate: $85
Graduate: $95
SAT range 1130 - 1350 1140 - 1380
ACT range 22 - 29 22 - 27
Students submitting SAT score 18.0% 2.0%
Students submitting ACT score 65.0% 12.0%
Total number of applicants 22,434 50,729
Total number of admissions given out 19,340 10,348
Admitted students who chose to enroll 4,521 4,690
Yield rate 23.4% 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) Required Required

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price
In state: $24,686
Out of state: $46,649
In state: $24,770
Out of state: $52,633
Average net price $17,599 $11,508
Tuition
In state: $8,356
Out of state: $30,319
In state: $7,019
Out of state: $34,882
Room & board $11,780
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)

 71.0%
Average amount $11,007 		42.0%
Average amount $16,076
Students receiving federal student loan 44.0%
Average amount $5,282 		17.0%
Average amount $4,244
Students taking out private loans 10.0%
Average amount $16,747 		3.0%
Average amount $14,032

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students 21,608
Men 44.3% Women 55.7% 		19,845
Men 39.6% Women 60.4%
Graduate students 8,301
Men 46.1% Women 53.9% 		11,796
Men 41.4% Women 58.6%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Low
Low
Out-of-state students 39.4% 16.2%
International students 5.4% 6.8%
Campus local/setting City: Small City: Small
Dormitory capacity 6,660 9,984
First year students are required to live on campus? No No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from Iowa Illinois Minnesota Wisconsin California North Carolina Georgia Maryland New York Pennsylvania

Academics

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

Outcome

Graduation rate 73.7% 90.5%
Dropout rate 7.2% 3.7%
Transferred out 17.7% 5.4%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Dentistry (First Professional Degrees)
  • Year 1: $125,938
  • Year 2: $134,155
  • Year 3: $142,171
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees)
  • Year 1: $85,649
  • Year 2: $112,215
  • Year 3: $121,442
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $95,222
  • Year 2: $96,991
  • Year 3: $113,045
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees)
  • Year 1: $107,534
  • Year 2: $103,913
  • Year 3: $108,049
Public Health (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $65,863
  • Year 2: $69,757
  • Year 3: $81,687
Law (First Professional Degrees)
  • Year 1: $61,283
  • Year 2: $69,338
  • Year 3: $81,057
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $72,973
  • Year 2: $69,657
  • Year 3: $80,787
Industrial Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $67,231
  • Year 2: $71,351
  • Year 3: $80,592
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $59,094
  • Year 2: $65,387
  • Year 3: $78,583
Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $64,942
  • Year 2: $64,990
  • Year 3: $71,106
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 academic differences between UNC-Chapel Hill and the University of Iowa?

    UNC-Chapel Hill is renowned for its strong programs in journalism, business, and the humanities, with a particular emphasis on public service. The University of Iowa is highly regarded for its creative writing program (the Iowa Writers' Workshop), its medical school, and its strengths in engineering and pharmacy. While both offer a broad range of disciplines, your specific academic interests will likely determine which institution is a better fit.

  • How does the cost of attendance compare between UNC-Chapel Hill and the University of Iowa?

    Generally, UNC-Chapel Hill offers a more affordable in-state tuition due to its status as a public university in North Carolina. Out-of-state tuition at UNC-Chapel Hill is also often competitive. The University of Iowa's tuition rates are also relatively affordable for a public university, but the specific costs can vary depending on residency status and financial aid packages. It's recommended to check the most current tuition and fee information on each university's website.

  • What is the campus environment like at UNC-Chapel Hill versus the University of Iowa?

    UNC-Chapel Hill boasts a classic Southern college town atmosphere, with a vibrant campus life centered around Franklin Street and a strong sense of tradition. The University of Iowa offers a more urban campus experience, located in Iowa City, a designated UNESCO City of Literature, known for its arts and culture scene. Both campuses offer a wide array of student organizations, activities, and a welcoming environment, but the overall feel differs significantly.

  • How do the athletic programs at UNC-Chapel Hill and the University of Iowa compare?

    Both universities have strong athletic programs. UNC-Chapel Hill is particularly known for its basketball program, with a rich history and passionate fanbase. The University of Iowa is also highly competitive in athletics, especially in wrestling and football. Both schools offer a wide variety of sports, providing ample opportunities for students to participate and support their teams.

  • What are the opportunities for research and internships at each university?

    Both UNC-Chapel Hill and the University of Iowa provide excellent research and internship opportunities. UNC-Chapel Hill benefits from its proximity to the Research Triangle Park, offering numerous internship possibilities in various fields. The University of Iowa has strong ties to the medical and engineering industries, providing research and internship opportunities in those areas. Both universities have career services departments to assist students in finding these opportunities.

  • What is the student body like at UNC-Chapel Hill and the University of Iowa?

    Both universities have diverse student bodies, attracting students from various backgrounds. UNC-Chapel Hill has a significant in-state student population, while also drawing students from across the country and internationally. The University of Iowa also has a diverse student body, with a mix of in-state, out-of-state, and international students. The specific demographics can be found on each university's website.

  • How does the location of each university impact the student experience?

    UNC-Chapel Hill's location in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, offers a quintessential college town experience with easy access to the Research Triangle area. The University of Iowa, located in Iowa City, provides a more urban environment with a strong arts and culture scene, and a vibrant downtown area. Both locations offer unique advantages, depending on your preferences for campus life and surrounding community.

  • What are the graduation rates and career outcomes like at UNC-Chapel Hill and the University of Iowa?

    Both universities have strong graduation rates and successful career outcomes for their graduates. UNC-Chapel Hill consistently ranks highly in terms of graduation rates and post-graduate employment. The University of Iowa also boasts impressive graduation rates and a strong track record of placing graduates in various fields. Specific career outcomes data can be found on each university's website or through their career services departments.

  • Are there any specific programs or resources that set UNC-Chapel Hill apart from the University of Iowa?

    UNC-Chapel Hill is known for its strong public service focus, with programs and resources dedicated to civic engagement and leadership. The University of Iowa's Iowa Writers' Workshop is a world-renowned creative writing program, setting it apart in the field of literature. Both universities offer unique programs and resources that cater to different academic and personal interests.

  • How do I decide which university is the right fit for me?

    Consider your academic interests, desired campus environment, and financial situation. Research the specific programs offered by each university that align with your goals. Visit both campuses if possible, or take virtual tours. Talk to current students and alumni to get their perspectives. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your individual preferences and priorities.

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