University of Washington-Seattle Campus (UDub) vs University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC)

Nestled in the vibrant city of Seattle, the University of Washington-Seattle Campus, and the historic town of Chapel Hill, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill stand as two prominent institutions of higher learning. While both universities share a commitment to academic excellence, they offer distinct experiences shaped by their unique locations, student demographics, and academic strengths. With the University of Washington boasting a higher acceptance rate and a larger student body, it provides a diverse and dynamic campus environment. In contrast, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill offers a more selective admissions process and a smaller student body, fostering a close-knit community feel. Explore the detailed comparison table below to delve into further differences, including popular majors, graduation rates, and additional factors that may influence your decision in choosing the best fit for your academic and personal aspirations.

	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	University of Washington-Seattle Campus
Overview
Location	Chapel Hill, North Carolina	Seattle, Washington
Campus setting	City: Small	City: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Quarter
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	97.0%	93.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	20.4%	53.5%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $85 Graduate: $95	Undergraduate: $80 Graduate: $85
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	48,840
Total number of admissions given out	10,348	26,121
Admitted students who chose to enroll	4,690	7,252
Yield rate	45.3%	27.8%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Required	Not 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	In state: $30,640 Out of state: $58,470
Average net price	$11,508	$8,701
Tuition	In state: $7,019 Out of state: $34,882	In state: $10,927 Out of state: $38,757
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $6,878 Meal plan: $5,004	$14,871
Available payment plans	Guaranteed tuition plan Tuition payment plan	Prepaid tuition plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	42.0% Average amount $16,076	41.0% Average amount $15,895
Students receiving federal student loan	17.0% Average amount $4,244	19.0% Average amount $4,460
Students taking out private loans	3.0% Average amount $14,032	1.0% Average amount $24,258

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	19,845 Men 39.6% Women 60.4%	36,201 Men 43.3% Women 56.7%
Graduate students	11,796 Men 41.4% Women 58.6%	16,233 Men 42.7% Women 57.3%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Moderate
Out-of-state students	16.2%	N/A
International students	6.8%	14.8%
Campus local/setting	City: Small	City: Large
Dormitory capacity	9,984	11,123
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	N/A

Academics
Popular study areas	Health Professions Business Social Sciences Public Administration and Social Service Multidisciplinary Studies	Engineering Health Professions Business Computer and Information Science Social Sciences
Students to faculty ratio	15:1	21:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

Outcome
Graduation rate	90.5%	83.9%
Dropout rate	3.7%	15.6%
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	Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $189,764 Year 2: $218,927 Year 3: $206,965 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $116,990 Year 2: $122,038 Year 3: $154,987 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $137,584 Year 2: $120,252 Year 3: $152,099 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $133,070 Year 2: $127,652 Year 3: $142,606 Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $91,744 Year 3: $141,725 Dentistry (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $121,620 Year 2: $124,420 Year 3: $137,488 Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $121,083 Year 2: $121,294 Year 3: $131,592 Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $94,893 Year 2: $118,349 Year 3: $127,982 Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $113,634 Year 2: $113,228 Year 3: $125,171 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $106,287 Year 2: $106,421 Year 3: $121,695

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key differences in location and campus environment between the University of Washington (UW) and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC)?

UW is located in Seattle, Washington, a major metropolitan city known for its tech industry, vibrant arts scene, and proximity to outdoor recreation like the Cascade Mountains and Puget Sound. UNC is situated in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, a smaller, college town environment with a strong sense of community and Southern charm. While both offer beautiful campuses, UW's campus is more urban and integrated with a bustling city, while UNC's is more self-contained and focused on a traditional college town experience.
How do the academic programs compare at UW and UNC?

Both universities are highly regarded for their academic excellence. UW is particularly strong in STEM fields, including computer science, engineering, and medicine, benefiting from its location in a tech hub. UNC excels in humanities, social sciences, and business, with a renowned journalism school and strong programs in public health and medicine. Both offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, allowing students to pursue diverse academic interests.
What is the cost of attendance like at UW versus UNC?

The cost of attendance, including tuition, fees, room, and board, varies depending on residency status. Generally, both universities offer competitive tuition rates for in-state students. Out-of-state tuition is higher at both institutions. Financial aid and scholarship opportunities are available at both UW and UNC to help make education more affordable. It's recommended to check the specific tuition and fee schedules on each university's website for the most up-to-date information.
How would you describe the student life and campus culture at UW and UNC?

UW offers a diverse student body and a vibrant campus life, with numerous student organizations, cultural events, and recreational activities. The campus culture is often described as collaborative and innovative, reflecting the city's tech-driven environment. UNC is known for its strong sense of community, school spirit, and traditions. Students are actively involved in campus activities, athletics, and community service. The campus culture is often characterized by a friendly and welcoming atmosphere, with a strong emphasis on Southern hospitality.
How do the athletic programs at UW and UNC compare?

Both universities have highly competitive athletic programs. UW competes in the Pac-12 Conference, with strong programs in football, basketball, and rowing. UNC is a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and is particularly renowned for its basketball program, with a rich history of national championships. Both universities offer a wide range of varsity sports and opportunities for students to participate in intramural and club sports.
What are the career prospects like for graduates of UW and UNC?

Graduates from both UW and UNC are highly sought after by employers. UW graduates benefit from the university's strong ties to the tech industry and other major employers in the Seattle area, as well as national and international opportunities. UNC graduates have access to a wide range of career opportunities, particularly in the Southeast and nationally, with strong connections to industries like healthcare, media, and business. Both universities offer career services to assist students with internships, job searches, and career development.
What are the admission requirements and selectivity of UW and UNC?

Both UW and UNC are highly selective universities. Admission requirements typically include a strong academic record, standardized test scores (though test-optional policies may be in place), letters of recommendation, and a personal essay. The application process involves submitting an application through the Common Application or the university's own application portal. Admission rates are competitive, and it's important to meet or exceed the average academic profile of admitted students. Review the specific requirements on each university's admissions website.
How does the research environment differ between UW and UNC?

Both universities are leading research institutions. UW is a major research hub, particularly in areas like computer science, engineering, and medicine, with significant funding and state-of-the-art facilities. UNC also has a strong research focus, particularly in areas like public health, medicine, and the humanities, with numerous research centers and institutes. Both universities provide ample opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to participate in research projects.
What are some notable alumni from UW and UNC?

Both universities boast a distinguished list of alumni. UW alumni include notable figures in technology, business, and the arts, such as Bill Gates and numerous leaders in the tech industry. UNC alumni include prominent figures in politics, media, and sports, such as Michael Jordan and many influential journalists and public servants. These alumni networks can provide valuable connections and opportunities for current students and graduates.
In summary, what are the key factors to consider when choosing between UW and UNC?

When choosing between UW and UNC, consider your preferred location (urban vs. college town), academic interests (STEM/tech vs. humanities/social sciences), campus culture (innovative/diverse vs. community-focused/traditional), and career goals. Both universities offer excellent academic programs, vibrant campus life, and strong career prospects. Your decision should be based on which environment and opportunities best align with your individual preferences and aspirations.

Compare Similar Colleges

The list of suggested college comparisons provided below is generated automatically by our system, utilizing statistics gathered from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and various online sources. If you don't find the colleges you wish to compare, please visit our comparison page. There, you can search for the specific colleges and initiate your comparison.