University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill vs Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
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
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus holds a 3-point ROI advantage over University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, scoring 97/100 versus 94/100. 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 $12,116 at Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus - a difference of $461 annually, or roughly $1,844 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus graduates earn a median of $102,772 compared to $72,200 at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The payback period is 5 years at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill versus 2.8 years at Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus.
Graduates leave University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a median $14,000 in debt versus $21,672 at Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.28 and 0.33 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | University of North Carol... | Georgia Institute of Tech... |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $8,994 | $12,058 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $41,203 | $34,484 |
| Net Price (avg) | $11,655 | $12,116 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $46,620 | $48,464 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $49,900 | $66,100 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $72,200 | $102,772 |
| Graduation Rate | 91.2% | 94.0% |
| Payback Period | 5 yr | 2.8 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $14,000 | $21,672 |
| Monthly Payment | $148 | $230 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.28 | 0.33 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 85.4% | 90.6% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 85.3% | 87.7% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | 15.3% | 14.1% |
| Enrollment | 20,752 | 18,785 |
| SAT Range | 1390-1530 | 1370-1540 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | University of North ... | Georgia Institute of... |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $2,004 | $7,666 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $3,918 | $7,209 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $8,538 | $10,818 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $16,415 | $15,088 |
| $110,001+ | $24,396 | $17,396 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | University of North ... | Georgia Institute of... |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $135,874 | $106,155 |
| Mathematics | $101,599 | $122,099 |
| Physics | $103,477 | $82,431 |
| Biomedical Engineering | $97,992 | $102,755 |
| Public Policy Analysis | $74,403 | $48,383 |
| Biology | $62,047 | $19,167 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | University of North ... | Georgia Institute of... |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 96 | 99 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 93 | 100 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 95 | 92 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 97 | 98 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 87 | 96 |
| Overall ROI Score | 94 | 97 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus edges out University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill by 3 points (97 vs 94), but the difference is small enough that major choice and individual circumstances will matter more than the school-level ROI difference. Run the numbers for your specific situation using the calculator below.
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University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Exceptional Value - Full profile and breakdown
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
Exceptional 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.