UNC vs UMich

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CollegeRanker is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

UNC vs UMich Introduction

In this comparison, we will be exploring two renowned American universities, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) and the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor (UMich). We will delve into various aspects of these institutions, from costs and admissions to academics and rankings.

UNC Overview

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, founded in 1789, is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. It is known for its strong academic programs, picturesque campus, and vibrant student life. UNC offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees in a wide range of fields.

UNC Costs & Tuition

For the 2021-2022 academic year, the estimated tuition and fees for in-state students at UNC is $9,018 and $36,000 for out-of-state students. The cost of attendance, including room and board, books, and other expenses, is approximately $25,876 for in-state students and $52,858 for out-of-state students.

UNC Admissions

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has a selective admissions process, with an acceptance rate of around 23%. Admissions are based on various factors such as academic achievements, extracurricular involvement, and personal qualities. The middle 50% of SAT scores for admitted students ranges from 1280 to 1470, while the middle 50% of ACT scores ranges from 29 to 34.

UNC Degrees Offered

UNC offers over 70 majors and minors, as well as numerous graduate and professional degrees. Some popular majors include biology, business administration, psychology, political science, and journalism.

UNC Academics

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is known for its strong academic programs and faculty. The student-faculty ratio is 13:1, and 38% of classes have fewer than 20 students, allowing students to receive personalized attention from their instructors.

UNC Diversity

UNC prides itself on maintaining a diverse and inclusive campus community. The enrollment demographics for the Fall 2020 class included 41% white, 13% African American, 11% Hispanic, and 8% Asian students.

UNC Students

UNC has a total enrollment of around 30,000 students, with approximately 19,000 undergraduate students and 11,000 graduate and professional students. The university boasts over 800 student clubs and organizations, giving students ample opportunities to get involved in extracurricular activities and connect with their peers.

UNC Campus

The UNC campus is known for its historic buildings, beautiful gardens, and abundant green spaces. Students can enjoy the lively college town atmosphere of Chapel Hill, which offers a variety of shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions.

UNC Alumni

UNC has a strong alumni network, with over 330,000 living alumni. Some notable UNC alumni include journalist Charles Kuralt, basketball player Michael Jordan, and former U.S. Senator John Edwards.

UNC Rankings

UNC consistently ranks among the top public universities in the United States. In the 2021 U.S. News & World Report rankings, UNC was ranked 5th among public universities and 28th overall among national universities.

UNC Outcomes

The graduation rate for UNC students is 89%, and the average starting salary for graduates is around $55,000 per year. According to the College Scorecard, the average salary for UNC alumni ten years after graduation is $62,400.

UMich Overview

The University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, founded in 1817, is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. UMich is known for its strong academics, beautiful campus, and vibrant student culture. The university offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees in various fields of study.

UMich Costs & Tuition

For the 2021-2022 academic year, the estimated tuition and fees for in-state students at UMich is $15,948 and $52,266 for out-of-state students. The cost of attendance, including room and board, books, and other expenses, is approximately $30,298 for in-state students and $66,698 for out-of-state students.

UMich Admissions

The University of Michigan has a competitive admissions process, with an acceptance rate of around 23%. Similar to UNC, admissions are based on a variety of factors such as academic achievements, extracurricular involvement, and personal qualities. The middle 50% of SAT scores for admitted students ranges from 1330 to 1510, while the middle 50% of ACT scores ranges from 30 to 34.

UMich Degrees Offered

UMich offers over 275 majors and minors, as well as numerous graduate and professional degrees. Popular majors include engineering, business administration, psychology, computer science, and political science.

UMich Academics

The University of Michigan boasts a strong academic reputation and renowned faculty. The student-faculty ratio is 15:1, and 53% of classes have fewer than 20 students, providing students with the opportunity for individualized instruction from their professors.

UMich Diversity

UMich is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion on its campus. The enrollment demographics for the Fall 2020 class included 49% white, 7% African American, 9% Hispanic, and 16% Asian students.

UMich Students

UMich has a total enrollment of around 48,000 students, with approximately 31,000 undergraduate students and 17,000 graduate and professional students. There are over 1,600 student clubs and organizations, offering students a wide range of extracurricular activities and social connections.

UMich Campus

The University of Michigan’s campus is known for its iconic architecture, lush green spaces, and lively college town atmosphere. Ann Arbor offers a variety of shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions for students to enjoy.

UMich Alumni

UMich has a strong alumni network, with over 575,000 living alumni. Some notable UMich alumni include former U.S. President Gerald Ford, Google co-founder Larry Page, and actor James Earl Jones.

UMich Rankings

UMich consistently ranks among the top public universities in the United States. In the 2021 U.S. News & World Report rankings, UMich was ranked 3rd among public universities and 24th overall among national universities.

UMich Outcomes

The graduation rate for UMich students is 92%, and the average starting salary for graduates is around $60,000 per year. According to the College Scorecard, the average salary for UMich alumni ten years after graduation is $70,100.

UNC vs UMich Cost Comparison

Both UNC and UMich are prestigious public universities, but their costs vary significantly. In-state students at UNC enjoy a much lower tuition rate than their counterparts at UMich ($9,018 vs $15,948). However, for out-of-state students, the tuition difference is less pronounced, with UNC costing $36,000 and UMich costing $52,266. Including room, board, and other expenses, the total cost of attendance at UNC is around $25,876 for in-state students and $52,858 for out-of-state students, while UMich costs approximately $30,298 for in-state students and $66,698 for out-of-state students.

UNC vs UMich Admissions Difficulty

Both UNC and UMich have competitive admissions processes, with acceptance rates hovering around 23% for both schools. The middle 50% SAT and ACT score ranges for admitted students are similar for both universities, though UMich’s ranges are slightly higher. However, the overall admissions difficulty at both institutions is comparable, with both schools seeking academically talented, well-rounded applicants.

UNC vs UMich Academic Difficulty

Both UNC and UMich are known for their strong academics and rigorous coursework. While the specific academic difficulty will vary depending on the program and major, both universities boast distinguished faculty, small class sizes, and high academic standards. Students at both schools can expect to be challenged intellectually and academically.

UNC vs UMich Outcome Comparison

In terms of graduation rates, UMich has a slightly higher rate at 92%, compared to UNC’s 89%. UMich graduates also tend to have higher starting salaries ($60,000) compared to UNC graduates ($55,000). Additionally, UMich alumni report higher average salaries ten years after graduation ($70,100) than UNC alumni ($62,400).

In conclusion, both UNC and UMich are prestigious institutions that offer excellent academic programs, diverse campus communities, and strong alumni networks. While costs and specific academic experiences may differ, students at either university will receive a high-quality education and gain valuable skills that will serve them well in their careers and beyond.