Universities / Compare / University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill vs Elon University

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill vs Elon University

Side-by-side comparison of tuition, graduate earnings, acceptance rate, graduation rate, student debt and more. Data automatically aggregated from public sources — errors may occur. Always verify with institutions.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC · Public · 20,752 students
$72k
Earnings 10yr
91%
Grad Rate
15.3%
Accept Rate
$12k
Net Price/yr
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Elon University
Elon, NC · Private Nonprofit · 6,452 students
$75k
Earnings 10yr
84%
Grad Rate
66.3%
Accept Rate
$42k
Net Price/yr
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University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill vs Elon University — Full Comparison

MetricUniversity of North CarolinaElon University
Median Earnings (10yr)$72,200$74,545
Median Earnings (6yr)$57,057$58,082
Median Earnings (8yr)$65,584$65,954
% Earning >$25k (6yr)77.6%79.7%
Graduation Rate91.2%84.0%
Retention Rate96.6%89.8%
Acceptance Rate15.3%66.3%
SAT Average1,4391,208
In-State Tuition$8,994$46,958
Out-of-State Tuition$41,203$46,958
Avg Net Price (after aid)$11,655$41,555
Median Student Debt$14,000$20,500
Pell Grant Recipients20.0%9.9%
First-Gen Students19.9%9.1%
Total Students20,7526,452
Avg Faculty Salary$15,046$10,563
Spend per Student$33,767$19,988
Endowment$5.7B$0.4B
⚠️ This comparison does not imply overall superiority. Green/red indicators reflect individual metrics only. Many critical factors are NOT captured: teaching quality, research output, campus safety, mental health resources, career placement rates, alumni networks, class sizes, and individual program strength.
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Estimated Return on Investment

⚠️ This is a rough, simplified estimate only — we may have made errors in this calculation. Actual ROI depends on your major, career path, scholarships, loan interest, and individual circumstances. Always consult a qualified financial advisor before any financial decision.
University of North Carolina
155%
Estimated ROI ratio
$72,200 earnings ÷ $46,620 est. cost
Elon University
45%
Estimated ROI ratio
$74,545 earnings ÷ $166,220 est. cost
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Most Popular Programs

University of North Carolina
Biological Sciences15%
Social Sciences14%
Business & Marketing9%
Communications9%
Elon University
Business & Marketing29%
Communications20%
Psychology6%
Social Sciences6%

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill vs Elon University — Overview

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a Public located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. It enrolls approximately 20,752 students with a graduation rate of 91.2%. Graduates earn a median salary of $72,200 ten years after starting college. The acceptance rate is 15.3%.

Elon University is a Private Nonprofit located in Elon, North Carolina. It enrolls approximately 6,452 students with a graduation rate of 84.0%. Graduates earn a median salary of $74,545 ten years after starting college. The acceptance rate is 66.3%.

🎓 This comparison reflects publicly available data points only and may contain errors. Choosing a university involves many personal factors no dataset can capture. We strongly encourage you to visit both campuses in person, speak with current students and recent alumni, consult qualified academic advisors and financial aid officers, and seek independent professional advice before making any enrollment or financial decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill or Elon University harder to get into?+

Based on available data, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has an acceptance rate of 15.3% while Elon University has an acceptance rate of 66.3%. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is slightly more selective based on this metric alone. Acceptance rates vary by program, year, and applicant profile. Always verify directly with each institution.

Which university has better graduate earnings?+

According to available data, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill graduates earn a median salary of $72,200 ten years after starting college, while Elon University graduates earn $74,545. Earnings vary significantly by major, career path, and individual circumstances. These are median estimates from public sources and may contain errors.

Which is more affordable — University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill or Elon University?+

After financial aid, the average net price at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is $11,655 per year compared to $41,555 at Elon University. Net price varies significantly based on family income and financial aid eligibility. These are averages — your actual cost may differ substantially. Contact each university's financial aid office for personalized estimates.

Which offers better return on investment?+

Using a simplified ROI estimate (10yr median earnings ÷ estimated 4-year cost), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill shows approximately 155% and Elon University shows approximately 45%. This is a rough calculation that may contain errors — we make mistakes. Actual ROI depends on your major, career path, scholarships, loan interest, and individual circumstances. Always consult a qualified financial advisor before making any financial decisions.

What factors should I consider beyond this comparison?+

Data comparisons capture only a fraction of what makes a university the right fit. Critical factors not reflected here include campus culture, social life, research opportunities, internship networks, geographic location, specific program quality within departments, faculty mentorship, alumni connections, mental health resources, campus safety, and your personal career goals. We strongly encourage campus visits, conversations with current students, and consultation with academic and financial advisors.

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Important Disclaimer
Data displayed on this page is automatically aggregated from publicly available sources through large-scale automation. While we strive for accuracy, errors may occur and we make mistakes — data may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. UniOutcomes is an independent data aggregation platform and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or partnered with any educational institution. This information is for informational purposes only and should not be the sole basis for enrollment, financial, or career decisions. Many factors that define a university experience — campus culture, faculty quality, research opportunities, location, alumni networks, and personal fit — are not captured here. Always verify data directly with the institution. Always consult a qualified professional before making any major academic or financial decision.
Data is automatically aggregated from public government sources and may be inaccurate. For informational purposes only. Always verify from official sources before making any decision. Terms of Use