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University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA) vs University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC)

Nestled on the sunny shores of California and the vibrant streets of North Carolina, University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA) and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) stand as two prominent beacons of higher education. While both institutions share a commitment to academic excellence and offer a diverse range of programs, they also possess unique characteristics that set them apart. UCLA boasts a lower acceptance rate, a larger student body, and a higher graduation rate, while UNC offers a more affordable tuition, a stronger focus on undergraduate education, and a vibrant college town atmosphere. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to delve into the specifics of each university, including popular majors, student demographics, and financial aid options, and discover which institution aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
University of California-Los Angeles logo

University of California-Los Angeles

 		University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill logo

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Overview

Location Los Angeles, California Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Campus setting City: Large City: Small
College type 4 year 4 year
Control/business model Public Public
Calendar system Quarter Semester
Degrees offered Undergraduate and Graduate Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate 97.0% 97.0%
Common app member No Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission

Acceptance rate 10.8% 20.4%
Application fees
Undergraduate: $70
Graduate: $120
Undergraduate: $85
Graduate: $95
SAT range N/A 1140 - 1380
ACT range N/A 22 - 27
Students submitting SAT score 2.0%
Students submitting ACT score 12.0%
Total number of applicants 139,489 50,729
Total number of admissions given out 15,028 10,348
Admitted students who chose to enroll 6,584 4,690
Yield rate 43.8% 45.3%
Test scores (SAT/ACT) N/A N/A
High school GPA Required Required
Recommendation letters Not required Required
High school transcript Not required Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) Not required Required

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price
In state: $36,173
Out of state: $65,927
In state: $24,770
Out of state: $52,633
Average net price $13,393 $11,508
Tuition
In state: $11,442
Out of state: $41,196
In state: $7,019
Out of state: $34,882
Room & board $16,763
Room/dormitory: $6,878
Meal plan: $5,004
Available payment plans
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Guaranteed tuition plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

 45.0%
Average amount $17,592 		42.0%
Average amount $16,076
Students receiving federal student loan 11.0%
Average amount $4,391 		17.0%
Average amount $4,244
Students taking out private loans 1.0%
Average amount $19,764 		3.0%
Average amount $14,032

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students 32,122
Men 40.2% Women 59.8% 		19,845
Men 39.6% Women 60.4%
Graduate students 13,994
Men 50.5% Women 49.5% 		11,796
Men 41.4% Women 58.6%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Moderate
Low
Out-of-state students 21.9% 16.2%
International students 14.5% 6.8%
Campus local/setting City: Large City: Small
Dormitory capacity 20,372 9,984
First year students are required to live on campus? No No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from California Texas Washington New York Illinois North Carolina Georgia Maryland New York Pennsylvania

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Engineering
  • Business
  • Health Professions
  • Visual & Performing Arts
  • Computer and Information Science
  • Health Professions
  • Business
  • Social Sciences
  • Public Administration and Social Service
  • Multidisciplinary Studies
Students to faculty ratio 18:1 15:1
Institutional accreditation Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome

Graduation rate 92.1% 90.5%
Dropout rate 3.7% 3.7%
Transferred out 3.6% 5.4%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $129,237
  • Year 2: $134,761
  • Year 3: $179,615
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $150,028
  • Year 2: $143,744
  • Year 3: $157,681
Applied Mathematics (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $117,572
  • Year 3: $156,116
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $117,100
  • Year 2: $110,878
  • Year 3: $147,842
Law (First Professional Degrees)
  • Year 1: $92,050
  • Year 2: $101,128
  • Year 3: $130,087
Mechanical Engineering (Doctoral Degrees)
  • Year 1: $112,202
  • Year 2: $117,572
  • Year 3: $126,081
Engineering, General (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $116,282
  • Year 2: $111,435
  • Year 3: $123,214
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $110,139
  • Year 2: $97,071
  • Year 3: $111,727
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $98,817
  • Year 2: $96,775
  • Year 3: $110,729
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $94,892
  • Year 2: $99,040
  • Year 3: $110,415
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

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What are the main differences between UCLA and UNC Chapel Hill?

    UCLA is a large, public research university located in Los Angeles, California, known for its strong programs across a wide range of disciplines, particularly in the arts, sciences, and professional fields like film and medicine. UNC Chapel Hill, also a large public research university, is located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and is renowned for its strong liberal arts programs, journalism school, and basketball tradition. UCLA offers a more urban, West Coast experience, while UNC provides a more traditional, Southern college town atmosphere.

  • Which university is more selective in admissions: UCLA or UNC Chapel Hill?

    Both UCLA and UNC Chapel Hill are highly selective, but UCLA generally has a lower acceptance rate. This means that, on average, it is slightly more competitive to get into UCLA than UNC Chapel Hill. However, both require strong academic records, compelling essays, and impressive extracurricular involvement.

  • How do the costs of attending UCLA and UNC Chapel Hill compare?

    The cost of attendance varies significantly depending on residency. For in-state students, UNC Chapel Hill is typically less expensive than UCLA. However, for out-of-state students, both universities have similar tuition costs. Keep in mind that the overall cost of living in Los Angeles is generally higher than in Chapel Hill, which can impact expenses beyond tuition and fees.

  • What academic areas are UCLA and UNC Chapel Hill particularly known for?

    UCLA excels in film, theater, medicine, engineering, and law. It also has strong programs in the sciences and humanities. UNC Chapel Hill is highly regarded for its journalism school, business school, nursing program, and strong liberal arts foundation. It also has a renowned public health program.

  • What is the campus environment like at UCLA versus UNC Chapel Hill?

    UCLA's campus is located in the bustling city of Los Angeles, offering a vibrant and diverse urban experience. The campus is large and modern, with a wide range of activities and opportunities. UNC Chapel Hill, on the other hand, offers a more traditional college town experience. The campus is historic and charming, with a strong sense of community and school spirit.

  • How do the student bodies at UCLA and UNC Chapel Hill differ?

    UCLA has a very diverse student body, reflecting the demographics of California. It attracts students from all over the world. UNC Chapel Hill also has a diverse student body, but it draws a larger proportion of students from North Carolina and the Southeast region. Both universities value diversity and inclusion.

  • What are the career opportunities like after graduating from UCLA and UNC Chapel Hill?

    Both UCLA and UNC Chapel Hill offer excellent career opportunities for their graduates. UCLA's location in Los Angeles provides access to a wide range of industries, including entertainment, technology, and healthcare. UNC Chapel Hill's strong alumni network and location in the Research Triangle Park area of North Carolina provide opportunities in technology, research, and business. The best choice depends on your career goals and desired location.

  • How does the research environment compare between UCLA and UNC Chapel Hill?

    Both UCLA and UNC Chapel Hill are major research universities with significant funding and resources dedicated to research. UCLA has a strong emphasis on research in medicine, engineering, and the sciences. UNC Chapel Hill is known for its research in public health, social sciences, and humanities. Both offer numerous opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to participate in research projects.

  • What is the sports culture like at UCLA and UNC Chapel Hill?

    Both UCLA and UNC Chapel Hill have strong athletic programs. UCLA is known for its success in a wide range of sports, including basketball, football, and volleyball. UNC Chapel Hill is particularly famous for its basketball program, but also has strong teams in other sports like soccer and lacrosse. Both universities have passionate fan bases and offer a vibrant sports culture.

  • Which university is better for students interested in a specific major?

    The 'better' university depends entirely on the specific major. For film, theater, and related arts, UCLA is often considered a top choice. For journalism, public health, and some areas of business, UNC Chapel Hill is highly regarded. Researching the specific departments and faculty within each university for your intended major is crucial for making an informed decision.

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