University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, North Carolina · Public · 15.3% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 94/100 · Exceptional Value
Data: 2024-25 College Scorecard release
UNC Chapel Hill scores a 94 (Exceptional Value) - the top tier under our methodology - as the flagship public university of North Carolina, with 20,752 undergraduates in Chapel Hill, NC. The core numbers: 5.0-year payback period, $49,900 average 6-year earnings (median $72,200 at 10 years), 91.2% completion rate, and median debt of $14,000. The in-state/out-of-state split is the defining financial story: North Carolina residents pay $8,994 in tuition with a net price of $11,655. Out-of-state students pay $41,203 in tuition, a gap of $32,209. But the denominator - total cost - is so low for in-state students that even a 5-year payback from a sub-$50,000 total investment is hard to argue against. Computer Science (427 graduates, $90,293 at year one, $137,047 at four years) and Business Administration via Kenan-Flagler (401 graduates, $85,618 at year one, $135,874 at year four) are the flagship high-earning programs. Biomedical Engineering (149 graduates, $70,561 at year one) and Economics (443 graduates, $65,344 at year one) fill out the high-ROI tier. The 15.3% admit rate places UNC in the selective tier; it is not a fallback for students who did not get into more competitive programs.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill scores in the top 3% of the schools we score, with strong earnings outcomes relative to cost.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $8,994/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $41,203/yr |
| Average net price | $11,655/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $46,620 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $72,200 |
| Average earnings (6yr post-entry) | $49,900 |
| Median debt at graduation | $14,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $148 |
| Estimated payback period | 5 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 91.2% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 20,752 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The first number you'll see is the sticker price: $8,994/year ($41,203/year out-of-state), which covers tuition and fees only. The net price counts books, supplies, and average living costs on top of tuition and fees, then subtracts grants and scholarships. For the average student here it comes to $11,655/year, or roughly $46,620 over four years. That's the number to plan around.
What you actually pay depends a lot on what your family earns. Families making under $30,000/year pay an average of $2,004/year here, while families earning over $110,000 pay $24,396/year. If money is tight, that matters: this school gives low-income students enough aid to land well below the sticker price.
Among graduates who borrowed, the median federal loan debt from this school is $14,000, which works out to about $148 a month on the standard 10-year repayment plan. Our debt-to-earnings ratio divides that debt by average earnings six years after entry ($49,900) and comes to 0.28, which in our view is comfortably manageable.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $2,004 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $3,918 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $8,538 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $16,415 |
| $110,001+ | $24,396 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning under $30,000 pay $2,004 per year net price. The $30,001-$48,000 bracket pays $3,918. Carolina Covenant provides four-year grant packages covering full demonstrated need for qualifying students - no loans required. At $2,004/year, UNC is effectively free for qualifying low-income North Carolina residents. The combination of near-zero cost, a 91.2% completion rate, and strong program outcomes in CS and business makes UNC a high-ROI decision for low-income North Carolina students.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The $48,001-$75,000 bracket pays $8,538 per year; the $75,001-$110,000 bracket pays $16,415. For North Carolina residents in these brackets, the total four-year cost is $34,000-$66,000. Against a 5.0-year payback period and $72,200 median 10-year earnings - and much higher for CS and business graduates - these price points represent exceptional value. Middle-income families in the $75k-$110k range should model whether the $16,415 annual cost works for them.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning $110,000+ pay $24,396 per year - approximately $98,000 over four years for North Carolina residents.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Biology | $62,047 | C+ |
| Communication and Media Studies | $70,240 | B |
| Economics | $103,846 | A |
| Computer Science | $137,047 | A |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $135,874 | A |
| International Relations | $72,001 | B |
| Kinesiology and Exercise Science | $63,286 | C+ |
| Registered Nursing | $78,585 | B+ |
| Applied Mathematics | $119,839 | A |
| English Language and Literature | $51,208 | C+ |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Computer Science
Median debt of $14,131 is low. For North Carolina residents paying $8,994 in tuition, the total cost of a CS degree at UNC is roughly $46,000 over four years - recouped in under six months at year-one earnings of $90k. The four-year figure ($137k) reflects advancement into senior engineering, technical lead, and product roles at technology companies that actively recruit from the Research Triangle area.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Kenan-Flagler Business School at UNC (401 graduates, $85,618 at year one, $135,874 at four years, ROI grade A, DTE 0.167) places graduates into investment banking, consulting, and corporate finance roles via on-campus recruiting. Median debt of $14,339 is low. North Carolina in-state tuition is $8,994.
Economics
Economics at UNC (443 graduates, $65,344 at year one, $103,846 at four years, ROI grade A, DTE 0.242) is a high-enrollment program feeding into finance, consulting, and policy roles across the Southeast and nationally. The four-year figure crosses $100k, reflecting how UNC economics graduates advance as analysts and associates in financial services. Median debt of $15,843 is moderate.
Biomedical Engineering
Biomedical Engineering at UNC (149 graduates, $70,561 at year one, $97,992 at four years, ROI grade A, DTE 0.213) benefits from Chapel Hill's Research Triangle location - a concentration of pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device employers including GlaxoSmithKline, Biogen, and numerous smaller firms. Median debt of $15,000 is clean against year-one earnings of $70k.
Information Science
Information Science at UNC (72 graduates, $75,834 at year one, $100,940 at four years, ROI grade A, DTE 0.175) is a smaller but high-performing program in the School of Information and Library Science. Year-one earnings of $75k from a 72-person program reflect placement into data analytics, UX, and information management roles at technology companies. The four-year figure ($100k) is competitive. Median debt of $13,294 is lower than CS, producing a favorable DTE ratio. This is a less obvious pathway than CS.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Median of schools we score |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 81.9% | 68.8% |
| 3-year repayment | 85.4% | 73.6% |
| 5-year repayment | 85.3% | 67.7% |
| 7-year repayment | 87.5% | 72.8% |
Completion Rate
Trends Over Time
How University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s cost and outcomes have moved across College Scorecard releases (2009-2024).
Average Net Price
Completion Rate
Median Earnings, 10 Years After Entry (as reported)
Earnings reflect borrowers measured 10 years after entry and publish on an irregular cadence with a multi-year reporting lag, so this series shows only the years the Department of Education reported - the data is never interpolated.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, release years shown. Net price and completion are reported annually.
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 15.3% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 700-780 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 690-750 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 28-34 |
| Enrollment | 20,752 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 20.0% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $15,046 |
UNC Chapel Hill admits 15.3% of applicants overall, but the effective rate for out-of-state applicants is materially lower - the university prioritizes North Carolina residents under its public mission mandate. SAT 700-780 Math and 690-750 Reading are the mid-50% ranges; ACT 28-34. North Carolina residents in the upper part of this range are competitive. Carolina Covenant and need-based aid is available to all admitted students regardless of state residency.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (this school) | 94 | $11,655 | $72,200 |
| Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus | 97 | $12,116 | $102,772 |
| University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | 95 | $13,138 | $83,648 |
| University of Virginia-Main Campus | 95 | $21,565 | $86,863 |
| East Carolina University | 61 | $15,739 | $55,146 |
| Appalachian State University | 58 | $16,836 | $51,836 |
Head-to-Head ROI Comparisons
See University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill side by side with similar schools on ROI, cost, earnings, and debt.
Who Thrives Here
Admitted students cluster in the SAT 700-780 Math, 690-750 Reading range; ACT 28-34 composite. North Carolina residents have a meaningful admissions advantage; roughly 82% of the class is in-state.
Transfer Pathways
UNC has an active community college transfer pathway through the North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS). The Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (CAA) establishes credit equivalencies between NC community colleges and UNC-system schools. Transfer students who complete an Associate in Arts or Associate in Science degree from an NC community college with a 2.0+ GPA may qualify for transfer consideration; UNC-Chapel Hill has enrollment caps by college. For North Carolina residents who do not gain freshman admission, the community college transfer pathway is a realistic option, particularly for majors outside the most impacted schools.
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
If you're asking whether University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is worth it, the short answer is yes - it's one of the strongest money decisions in higher education. Four years here run about $46,620 after aid, and the typical graduate earns $72,200 ten years out. That earnings head start covers the cost in roughly 5 years, well ahead of most schools.
What it has going for it: a strong earnings premium over high school graduates, its 91.2% graduation rate, manageable debt relative to earnings, high loan repayment success.
On debt, you can breathe a little easier here. Median debt of $14,000 among graduates who borrowed, against average earnings of $49,900 six years after entry, gives a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.28: well under 1.0, the point at which debt would equal a full year of those earnings.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: Common Questions
Is University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill worth it?
In our view, yes - for most students University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill pays off. It scores 94/100 on our ROI scale. You'd pay about $11,655 a year after aid ($46,620 over four years), and the typical graduate earns $72,200 ten years after enrollment, so the cost takes roughly 5 years to earn back.
How much does University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill cost after financial aid?
The average net price - the cost of attendance (tuition, fees, books, supplies and average living costs) minus grants and scholarships, for full-time, first-time students receiving federal aid - is about $11,655 a year, or roughly $46,620 over four years. Because it counts living costs, it can run above tuition alone. That is the number to plan around. Actual cost varies by family income, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
What do University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill graduates earn?
The typical graduate earns about $72,200 ten years after enrolling, roughly $30,400 a year more than the median high-school graduate ($41,800, per NCES, 2022). That earnings gap is what has to cover the cost of the degree.
How long does it take to pay off University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?
We estimate the payback period - the time it takes for the earnings bump over a high-school graduate to cover what you spent - at about 5 years for University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The median across the schools we track is about 12 years.
How much debt do University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill graduates take on?
Among graduates who borrowed, median federal loan debt from this school is about $14,000, against average earnings of $49,900 six years after entry - a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.28. In our view that is very manageable: well under 1.0, the point at which debt would equal a full year of those earnings.
What is the graduation rate at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?
The six-year graduation rate is 91.2%, at or above the 64% national average for four-year schools (NCES, 2022). Completion is 15% of our ROI score, since a degree you don't finish rarely pays back.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.