Washington University in St Louis (WashU) vs University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC)
When it comes to choosing the right university, Washington University in St Louis and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill stand out as two exceptional options. With acceptance rates of 15% and 24%, respectively, both universities are highly selective, attracting top students from across the nation. While Washington University boasts a smaller student body, fostering a close-knit community, UNC-Chapel Hill offers a larger and more diverse student population. Both universities excel in academics, with popular majors ranging from business and engineering to social sciences and humanities. However, UNC-Chapel Hill has a slightly higher graduation rate, with 89% of students completing their degrees within six years compared to Washington University's 87%. To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison table highlighting key differences between these two prestigious institutions. Dive into the details and discover which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
![]() Washington University in St Louis |
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Overview |
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Location | Chapel Hill, North Carolina | Saint Louis, Missouri |
Campus setting | City: Small | Suburb: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 97.0% | 96.0% |
![]() |
Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 20.4% | 13.0% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$85
Graduate:
$95
|
Undergraduate:
$75
Graduate:
$45
|
SAT range | 1140 - 1380 | 1490 - 1570 |
ACT range | 22 - 27 | 33 - 35 |
Students submitting SAT score | 2.0% | 25.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 12.0% | 41.0% |
Total number of applicants | 50,729 | 33,634 |
Total number of admissions given out | 10,348 | 4,373 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 4,690 | 1,980 |
Yield rate | 45.3% | 45.3% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Not required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$24,770
Out of state:
$52,633
|
$81,620 |
Average net price | $11,508 | $28,298 |
Tuition |
In state:
$7,019
Out of state:
$34,882
|
$57,750 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$6,878
Meal plan:
$5,004
|
Room/dormitory:
$12,350
Meal plan:
$5,550
|
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
42.0%
Average amount $16,076 |
44.0%
Average amount $51,288 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
17.0%
Average amount $4,244 |
14.0%
Average amount $4,790 |
Students taking out private loans |
3.0%
Average amount $14,032 |
2.0%
Average amount $25,095 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
19,845
Men 39.6% Women 60.4% |
8,034
Men 46.4% Women 53.6% |
Graduate students |
11,796
Men 41.4% Women 58.6% |
8,939
Men 47.6% Women 52.4% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Moderate
|
Out-of-state students | 16.2% | 88.2% |
International students | 6.8% | 26.1% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 9,984 | 6,826 |
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 | California Missouri New York Illinois Florida |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
|
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Students to faculty ratio | 15:1 | 7:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 90.5% | 93.1% |
Dropout rate | 3.7% | 6.5% |
Transferred out | 5.4% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Dentistry (First Professional Degrees)
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
Applied Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health and Medical Administrative Services (Master's Degrees)
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Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management (Master's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Medicine (First Professional Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Master's Degrees)
Public Health (Master's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (First Professional Degrees)
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