In this comparison, we will be looking at two prestigious universities in the United States: the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) and Duke University. Both schools are located in North Carolina and are well-known for their strong academic programs, competitive admissions, and rich campus life. We will explore various aspects of these schools, such as costs, admissions, degree offerings, academics, diversity, and outcomes, to help prospective students make informed decisions when choosing between these two institutions.
UNC Overview
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, founded in 1789, is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. UNC is known for its strong academic programs, excellent faculty, and vibrant campus life. This university offers over 70 majors across various fields, and it has a strong focus on research and innovation.
UNC Costs & Tuition
As a public university, UNC offers affordable tuition rates for in-state students. The estimated cost of attendance for in-state students is $24,898 per year, which includes tuition, fees, room, and board. For out-of-state students, the estimated cost of attendance is $52,748 per year.
UNC Admissions
UNC has a competitive admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 23%. The middle 50% range of SAT scores for admitted students is 1280-1470, and the middle 50% range of ACT scores is 29-33.
UNC Degrees Offered
UNC offers over 70 majors and 100 minors across various fields, including arts and sciences, business, education, and health sciences. Some of the popular majors at UNC are Biology, Business Administration, Communications, Psychology, and Political Science.
UNC Academics
UNC is renowned for its rigorous academic programs and strong faculty. The university has a student-to-faculty ratio of 13:1, which allows for personalized attention and support for students. Additionally, UNC offers numerous research opportunities, internships, and study abroad programs to help students gain valuable experiences and prepare for their careers.
UNC Diversity
UNC is committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion on its campus. The undergraduate student population is composed of 57% female and 43% male students, with 61.9% of students identifying as White, 13.2% as Black or African American, 9.2% as Asian, 7.5% as Hispanic or Latino, and the remaining identifying with other races and ethnicities.
UNC Students
UNC has a vibrant and engaged student body, with over 18,000 undergraduate students and 11,000 graduate students. Students can participate in more than 800 student organizations, Greek life, and various community service programs. Additionally, UNC is known for its passionate sports fans, with the university’s athletic teams competing in the NCAA Division I Atlantic Coast Conference.
UNC Campus
UNC’s campus spans over 729 acres and features beautiful, historic buildings and lush green spaces. The university offers on-campus housing options, including residence halls and apartment-style living. The campus is also home to various dining options, libraries, a student recreation center, and numerous cultural and artistic venues.
UNC Alumni
UNC has a strong alumni network, with over 330,000 living alumni. Some notable UNC alumni include former U.S. President James K. Polk, basketball player Michael Jordan, and journalist Charles Kuralt.
UNC Rankings
UNC is consistently ranked among the top public universities in the United States. According to U.S. News & World Report, UNC is ranked 5th among public universities and 28th overall in the National Universities category.
UNC Outcomes
UNC boasts a strong track record of successful outcomes for its graduates. The university reports a six-year graduation rate of 91% and a post-graduation employment rate of 94% within six months of graduation.
Duke Overview
Duke University, founded in 1838, is a private research university located in Durham, North Carolina. Duke is well-known for its prestigious academic programs, renowned faculty, and beautiful campus. The university offers undergraduate and graduate programs across various disciplines, with a strong emphasis on research and collaboration.
Duke Costs & Tuition
As a private university, Duke’s tuition rates are significantly higher than those of public institutions like UNC. The estimated cost of attendance for undergraduate students is $77,029 per year, including tuition, fees, room, and board.
Duke Admissions
Admissions at Duke are highly competitive, with an acceptance rate of 8.9%. The middle 50% range of SAT scores for admitted students is 1480-1570, and the middle 50% range of ACT scores is 33-35.
Duke Degrees Offered
Duke offers undergraduate degrees across various fields, including arts and sciences, engineering, and public policy. Some popular majors at Duke include Economics, Computer Science, Biology, Public Policy Analysis, and Psychology.
Duke Academics
Duke is known for its rigorous academic programs and world-class faculty. The university has a student-to-faculty ratio of 6:1, providing students with personalized attention and support for their academic pursuits. Duke also offers numerous research opportunities, internships, and study abroad programs to help students gain valuable experiences and prepare for their careers.
Duke Diversity
Duke is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive campus community. The undergraduate student population is composed of 49% female and 51% male students, with 50.9% of students identifying as White, 21.6% as Asian, 10.3% as Black or African American, 9.1% as Hispanic or Latino, and the remaining identifying with other races and ethnicities.
Duke Students
Duke has a vibrant student body, with over 6,000 undergraduate students and 9,000 graduate students. Students can participate in more than 400 student organizations, Greek life, and various community service programs. Duke’s athletic teams, known as the Blue Devils, compete in the NCAA Division I Atlantic Coast Conference.
Duke Campus
Duke’s campus spans over 8,600 acres, featuring stunning Gothic architecture and extensive green spaces. The university offers on-campus housing options, including residence halls, apartments, and themed living communities. The campus is also home to various dining options, libraries, a student recreation center, and numerous cultural and artistic venues.
Duke Alumni
Duke’s alumni network is both extensive and influential, with over 180,000 living alumni. Some notable Duke alumni include former U.S. President Richard Nixon, basketball player Grant Hill, and journalist Charlie Rose.
Duke Rankings
Duke consistently ranks among the top universities in the United States. According to U.S. News & World Report, Duke is ranked 9th overall in the National Universities category.
Duke Outcome
Duke has an excellent record of successful outcomes for its graduates. The university reports a six-year graduation rate of 95% and a post-graduation employment rate of 96% within six months of graduation.
UNC vs Duke Cost Comparison
When comparing the costs of attendance between UNC and Duke, it’s important to consider the difference in tuition rates for in-state and out-of-state students at UNC. For in-state students, attending UNC is significantly more affordable, with an estimated cost of $24,898 per year compared to Duke’s $77,029 per year. However, for out-of-state students, the cost difference narrows, with UNC’s estimated cost being $52,748 per year.
UNC vs Duke Admissions Difficulty
Both UNC and Duke have competitive admissions processes, with Duke being more selective with an acceptance rate of 8.9% compared to UNC’s 23%. Additionally, Duke has higher average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students, indicating a more competitive applicant pool.
UNC vs Duke Academic Difficulty
Both UNC and Duke offer rigorous academic programs, with renowned faculty and numerous opportunities for research, internships, and study abroad experiences. The student-to-faculty ratios at both universities suggest personalized attention and support for students. However, Duke’s smaller class sizes, with a 6:1 student-to-faculty ratio, may provide a more intimate learning environment compared to UNC’s 13:1 ratio.
UNC vs Duke Outcome Comparison
Both UNC and Duke have strong outcomes for their graduates, with high graduation rates and post-graduation employment rates. However, Duke holds a slight edge in both categories, with a 95% six-year graduation rate and a 96% post-graduation employment rate within six months of graduation, compared to UNC’s 91% graduation rate and 94% employment rate.
