U of Richmond 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 Richmond and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, both esteemed institutions, offer distinct experiences. Richmond, a private liberal arts university, boasts a lower acceptance rate and smaller class sizes, fostering a close-knit community. UNC-Chapel Hill, a public research university, offers a wider range of academic programs, including graduate degrees, and a larger student body, providing a vibrant and diverse campus life. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to delve into further details on acceptance rates, popular majors, student demographics, graduation rates, and more, helping you make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	University of Richmond
Overview
Location	Chapel Hill, North Carolina	University of Richmond, Virginia
Campus setting	City: Small	City: Midsize
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	97.0%	92.0%
Common app member	Yes	No
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	20.4%	28.8%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $85 Graduate: $95	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $50
SAT range	1140 - 1380	N/A
ACT range	22 - 27	N/A
Students submitting SAT score	2.0%
Students submitting ACT score	12.0%
Total number of applicants	50,729	13,955
Total number of admissions given out	10,348	4,015
Admitted students who chose to enroll	4,690	876
Yield rate	45.3%	21.8%
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	In state: $24,770 Out of state: $52,633	$74,590
Average net price	$11,508	$28,881
Tuition	In state: $7,019 Out of state: $34,882	$58,570
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $6,878 Meal plan: $5,004	Room/dormitory: $6,550 Meal plan: $7,400
Available payment plans	Guaranteed tuition plan Tuition payment plan	Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	42.0% Average amount $16,076	61.0% Average amount $43,905
Students receiving federal student loan	17.0% Average amount $4,244	32.0% Average amount $4,957
Students taking out private loans	3.0% Average amount $14,032	4.0% Average amount $29,516

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	19,845 Men 39.6% Women 60.4%	3,166 Men 46.8% Women 53.2%
Graduate students	11,796 Men 41.4% Women 58.6%	724 Men 38.5% Women 61.5%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	16.2%	81.9%
International students	6.8%	9.5%
Campus local/setting	City: Small	City: Midsize
Dormitory capacity	9,984	2,875
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	North Carolina Georgia Maryland New York Pennsylvania	Virginia New York New Jersey Connecticut Pennsylvania

Academics
Popular study areas	Health Professions Business Social Sciences Public Administration and Social Service Multidisciplinary Studies	Legal Profession Business Education Biological and Biomedical Sciences Social Sciences
Students to faculty ratio	15:1	8:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome
Graduation rate	90.5%	89.2%
Dropout rate	3.7%	10.6%
Transferred out	5.4%	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	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	Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $68,711 Year 2: $74,157 Year 3: $88,040 Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $57,385 Year 2: $65,821 Year 3: $83,877 Human Resources Management and Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $54,362 Year 2: $63,005 Year 3: $75,249 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $58,083 Year 2: $59,858 Year 3: $73,682 Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $64,179 Year 2: $66,355 Year 3: $73,053 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $55,668 Year 2: $56,544 Year 3: $66,820 Educational Administration and Supervision (Graduate/Professional Certificates) Year 1: $54,058 Year 2: $57,705 Year 3: $59,253 Human Resources Management and Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $46,998 Year 2: $38,829 Year 3: $57,966 Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $40,281 Year 3: $49,992 Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $40,110 Year 2: $41,789 Year 3: $48,824

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key differences in location and campus environment between the University of Richmond and UNC-Chapel Hill?

The University of Richmond offers a more intimate, suburban campus experience in Richmond, Virginia. It's known for its beautiful Collegiate Gothic architecture and a close-knit community feel. UNC-Chapel Hill, on the other hand, is located in the vibrant college town of Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Its campus is larger, more diverse, and has a more public university atmosphere, with a bustling downtown area nearby.
How do the academic programs compare at the two universities?

Both universities offer strong academic programs, but they have different strengths. UNC-Chapel Hill is renowned for its comprehensive offerings, particularly in the humanities, sciences, and professional schools like its Kenan-Flagler Business School and School of Media and Journalism. The University of Richmond excels in its undergraduate focus, with a strong emphasis on liberal arts and sciences, and a highly regarded business school. Richmond also offers a more personalized learning experience due to its smaller class sizes and student-to-faculty ratio.
What is the student life like at each university?

Student life at the University of Richmond is characterized by a strong sense of community, with a focus on residential life and a wide array of student organizations. Greek life is also a significant part of the social scene. UNC-Chapel Hill boasts a more diverse and expansive student life, with a wide range of activities, a vibrant arts scene, and a strong emphasis on athletics, particularly basketball. The larger student body at UNC-Chapel Hill provides a broader range of social opportunities.
How does the cost of attendance compare?

The University of Richmond generally has a higher cost of attendance than UNC-Chapel Hill. As a private institution, Richmond's tuition, fees, and room and board are typically more expensive. UNC-Chapel Hill, as a public university, offers a more affordable option, especially for in-state residents. However, both universities offer financial aid and scholarship opportunities to help offset the costs.
What are the admission requirements and selectivity of each university?

Both universities are highly selective, but they have different application profiles. The University of Richmond generally has a slightly lower acceptance rate than UNC-Chapel Hill, reflecting its smaller size and more focused applicant pool. Both universities require standardized test scores (though test-optional policies may be in place, so check the most current requirements) and place a strong emphasis on academic achievement, extracurricular involvement, and essays. UNC-Chapel Hill often has a larger applicant pool, making admission highly competitive.
How do the career services and alumni networks differ?

Both universities provide robust career services. The University of Richmond's career services are known for their personalized approach and strong connections to employers, particularly in the Mid-Atlantic region. UNC-Chapel Hill's career services benefit from its larger alumni network and broader reach, with strong connections across the country and internationally. Both universities have active alumni networks that provide valuable resources and support for students and graduates.
Which university is better for someone seeking a strong liberal arts education?

The University of Richmond is particularly well-suited for students seeking a strong liberal arts education. Its curriculum emphasizes interdisciplinary study, critical thinking, and close interaction with faculty. While UNC-Chapel Hill also offers a strong liberal arts foundation, its broader range of programs and larger size may appeal to students with more diverse academic interests.
How do the athletic programs compare?

UNC-Chapel Hill is renowned for its Division I athletic programs, particularly in basketball, which has a national following. The university has a rich athletic history and a strong emphasis on sports. The University of Richmond also has Division I athletic programs, but they are generally less prominent than UNC-Chapel Hill's. Richmond's athletic programs are still competitive and provide opportunities for student athletes.
What are the opportunities for research and internships at each university?

Both universities offer excellent opportunities for research and internships. UNC-Chapel Hill, with its larger size and extensive research facilities, provides a wide range of research opportunities across various disciplines. The University of Richmond, with its focus on undergraduate education, offers numerous research opportunities, often with close faculty mentorship. Both universities have strong internship programs, with connections to businesses and organizations in their respective regions and beyond.
Which university is a better fit for a student who values a close-knit community?

The University of Richmond is generally a better fit for students who value a close-knit community. Its smaller size, residential campus, and emphasis on student-faculty interaction foster a strong sense of belonging. While UNC-Chapel Hill also has a strong community, its larger size and more diverse student body may offer a different experience.

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