Rochester 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 Rochester and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, both highly regarded institutions, offer distinct experiences. With an acceptance rate of 32% and a student body of around 6,000 undergraduates, the University of Rochester fosters a close-knit community. In contrast, UNC-Chapel Hill boasts a larger student body of over 19,000 undergraduates and an acceptance rate of 24%. While both universities excel in various fields, Rochester is known for its strengths in the sciences and engineering, while UNC-Chapel Hill shines in the humanities and social sciences. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to delve into further details, including popular majors, student demographics, graduation rates, and more, to make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	University of Rochester
Overview
Location	Chapel Hill, North Carolina	Rochester, New York
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%	91.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	20.4%	40.5%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $85 Graduate: $95	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $50
SAT range	1140 - 1380	1370 - 1520
ACT range	22 - 27	31 - 35
Students submitting SAT score	2.0%	22.0%
Students submitting ACT score	12.0%	7.0%
Total number of applicants	50,729	19,543
Total number of admissions given out	10,348	7,924
Admitted students who chose to enroll	4,690	1,623
Yield rate	45.3%	20.5%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Not 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	$79,456
Average net price	$11,508	$40,125
Tuition	In state: $7,019 Out of state: $34,882	$58,276
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $6,878 Meal plan: $5,004	Room/dormitory: $10,692 Meal plan: $6,696
Available payment plans	Guaranteed tuition plan Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	42.0% Average amount $16,076	75.0% Average amount $37,870
Students receiving federal student loan	17.0% Average amount $4,244	37.0% Average amount $4,351
Students taking out private loans	3.0% Average amount $14,032	7.0% Average amount $22,054

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	19,845 Men 39.6% Women 60.4%	6,568 Men 48.0% Women 52.0%
Graduate students	11,796 Men 41.4% Women 58.6%	5,471 Men 44.9% Women 55.1%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	16.2%	N/A
International students	6.8%	30.7%
Campus local/setting	City: Small	City: Midsize
Dormitory capacity	9,984	1,350
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	Yes
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	North Carolina Georgia Maryland New York Pennsylvania	N/A

Academics
Popular study areas	Health Professions Business Social Sciences Public Administration and Social Service Multidisciplinary Studies	Business Health Professions Engineering Education Physical Science
Students to faculty ratio	15:1	10:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	90.5%	85.9%
Dropout rate	3.7%	4.2%
Transferred out	5.4%	8.8%
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	Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $91,070 Year 2: $89,524 Year 3: $104,615 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $84,531 Year 2: $83,177 Year 3: $104,384 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $96,464 Year 2: $95,073 Year 3: $92,400 Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $73,860 Year 2: $83,546 Year 3: $90,745 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,134 Year 2: $73,321 Year 3: $87,028 Finance and Financial Management Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $63,597 Year 2: $82,440 Year 3: $83,153 Biomedical/Medical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $55,852 Year 2: $63,005 Year 3: $75,215 Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $63,873 Year 2: $57,705 Year 3: $73,661 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $65,906 Year 2: $61,516 Year 3: $72,841 Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $56,595 Year 2: $52,941 Year 3: $70,372

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between the University of Rochester and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?

The University of Rochester is a private research university known for its flexible curriculum and strong programs in science, engineering, and music. It's located in a mid-sized city in upstate New York. UNC Chapel Hill, on the other hand, is a large public research university with a strong liberal arts tradition and a vibrant campus culture. It's located in a college town in North Carolina and offers a more structured academic experience.
Which university is more selective in admissions?

Both universities are highly selective, but UNC Chapel Hill generally has a slightly lower acceptance rate, making it marginally more competitive. However, the specific selectivity can vary from year to year, so it's best to check the latest admissions statistics for both institutions.
How do the academic programs differ between the two universities?

The University of Rochester is known for its 'Rochester Curriculum,' which allows students to design their own academic path with minimal required courses. They are particularly strong in optics, music (Eastman School of Music), and medicine. UNC Chapel Hill offers a broader range of programs with strengths in journalism, business, public health, and the humanities. UNC has a more traditional core curriculum.
What is the campus environment like at each university?

The University of Rochester has a smaller, more intimate campus feel with a strong sense of community. It's located in a city, offering access to urban amenities. UNC Chapel Hill has a larger, more spirited campus with a strong emphasis on school pride and traditions. It's located in a classic college town, creating a more immersive college experience.
How do the costs of attending compare?

As a private university, the University of Rochester typically has a higher tuition cost than UNC Chapel Hill, especially for out-of-state students. UNC Chapel Hill offers significantly lower tuition rates for North Carolina residents. Be sure to factor in room, board, and other expenses when comparing the overall cost of attendance.
Which university is better for students interested in research?

Both universities are major research institutions with ample opportunities for undergraduate research. The University of Rochester has particular strengths in optics, biomedical engineering, and data science research. UNC Chapel Hill has strong research programs in public health, medicine, and social sciences. Your choice depends on your specific research interests.
What are the career prospects like for graduates of each university?

Graduates from both universities are highly sought after by employers. The University of Rochester's graduates often find jobs in technology, finance, and healthcare, particularly in the Northeast. UNC Chapel Hill graduates have strong career prospects in fields like journalism, business, and public service, especially in the Southeast. Both universities have strong career services to support their students.
How does the student body diversity compare?

Both universities strive for a diverse student body. UNC Chapel Hill, as a public university, draws a significant portion of its students from North Carolina, while the University of Rochester attracts students from across the United States and internationally. Both institutions have programs and initiatives to promote diversity and inclusion on campus.
What is the surrounding city like for each university?

The University of Rochester is located in Rochester, New York, a mid-sized city with a rich history and a growing arts and culture scene. UNC Chapel Hill is located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, a quintessential college town with a vibrant downtown area and a strong sense of community. Chapel Hill is also close to the larger city of Durham and Raleigh, offering more options for entertainment and employment.
Which university is better for pre-med students?

Both universities offer excellent pre-med programs. The University of Rochester has a strong connection to its medical center, providing ample research and clinical opportunities. UNC Chapel Hill also has a highly regarded medical school and a strong pre-med advising program. Your choice may depend on your preferred learning environment and research interests.

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