University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill vs Appalachian State University
Side-by-side ROI comparison using U.S. Department of Education data. Which school delivers a better financial return?
ROI Score Comparison
The Financial Comparison
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill holds a 36-point ROI advantage over Appalachian State University, scoring 94/100 versus 58/100. That gap reflects meaningful differences in how costs, earnings, and debt stack up for graduates of each institution.
On cost, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill comes in at $11,655 per year (net price after aid) versus $16,836 at Appalachian State University - a difference of $5,181 annually, or roughly $20,724 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill graduates earn a median of $72,200 compared to $51,836 at Appalachian State University. The payback period is 5 years at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill versus 12.3 years at Appalachian State University.
Graduates leave University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a median $14,000 in debt versus $20,231 at Appalachian State University. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.28 and 0.59 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | University of North Carol... | Appalachian State Univers... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $8,994 | $7,579 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $41,203 | $25,212 |
| Net Price (avg) | $11,655 | $16,836 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $46,620 | $67,344 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $49,900 | $34,300 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $72,200 | $51,836 |
| Graduation Rate | 91.2% | 74.5% |
| Payback Period | 5 yr | 12.3 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $14,000 | $20,231 |
| Monthly Payment | $148 | $214 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.28 | 0.59 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 85.4% | 79.8% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 85.3% | 77.9% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 15.3% | 90.1% |
| Enrollment | 20,752 | 19,444 |
| SAT Range | 1390-1530 | 1120-1280 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | University of North ... | Appalachian State Un... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $2,004 | $9,325 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $3,918 | $11,600 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $8,538 | $15,204 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $16,415 | $20,840 |
| $110,001+ | $24,396 | $22,382 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | University of North ... | Appalachian State Un... |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $137,047 | $97,670 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $135,874 | $64,932 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $110,204 | $66,227 |
| Economics | $103,846 | $67,285 |
| Physics | $103,477 | $82,399 |
| Mathematics | $101,599 | $62,271 |
| Registered Nursing | $78,585 | $78,943 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | $72,422 | $21,143 |
| International Relations | $72,001 | $54,344 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $70,240 | $55,307 |
| Natural Resources Conservation | $65,337 | $46,207 |
| Chemistry | $64,981 | $58,329 |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $63,286 | $55,594 |
| Biology | $62,047 | $53,228 |
| Geography and Cartography | $49,476 | $58,289 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | University of North ... | Appalachian State Un... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 96 | 54 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 93 | 47 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 95 | 53 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 97 | 84 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 87 | 70 |
| Overall ROI Score | 94 | 58 |
The Verdict
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill significantly outperforms Appalachian State University on financial ROI (94 vs 58). The 36-point gap reflects meaningfully better outcomes in earnings relative to cost. Unless Appalachian State University offers something compelling for your specific situation - a top program in your major, a full scholarship, or non-financial factors that matter to you - the data favors University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
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University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Exceptional Value - Full profile and breakdown
Appalachian State University
Below Average Value - Full profile and breakdown
Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, as of 2024-2025. Earnings are measured 6 and 10 years after enrollment. Net prices reflect average aid for first-time, full-time students.See full methodology.