George Washington vs. UNC Chapel Hill

Comparable Facts

Compare George Washington University in Washington, DC with University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in Chapel Hill, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is larger than George Washington based on total student enrollment (32,438 students vs. 25,374 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• George Washington University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is in Chapel Hill, NC (Small City setting).
• George Washington University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: George Washington University 13:1; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 15:1.

George Washington vs. UNC Chapel Hill Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, George Washington or UNC Chapel Hill? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill than George Washington ($10,154 vs. $46,485).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are 18.4% lower than at George Washington University ($13,804 vs. $16,920).
• George Washington University is 652.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNC Chapel Hill (about $58,716 more per year; $67,710.00 vs. $8,994.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 64.3% higher at George Washington than at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (about $26,507 more per year; $67,710.00 vs. $41,203.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at George Washington University than at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (78% vs. 38%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by George Washington University students is 110.5% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill students ($37,500 vs. $17,814).

George Washington vs. UNC Chapel Hill Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, George Washington or UNC Chapel Hill? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between UNC Chapel Hill and George Washington.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1460) is 30 points higher than at George Washington (1430).
• Incoming George Washington students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at UNC Chapel Hill).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: George Washington University 1350/1500; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 1390/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: George Washington University 31/34; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 28/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: George Washington - Test optional; UNC Chapel Hill - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: George Washington Jan 5, 2027; UNC Chapel Hill Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNC Chapel Hill students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at George Washington (3.81).
• George Washington has a higher acceptance rate (47.1%) than UNC Chapel Hill (15.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.3% at George Washington vs. 45.5% at UNC Chapel Hill.

George Washington vs. UNC Chapel Hill Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for George Washington and UNC Chapel Hill? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's six-year graduation rate (89%) is higher than George Washington University's (81%).
• Graduates from George Washington University earn a median of about $14,400 more per year than UNC Chapel Hill graduates about ten years after starting college ($80,500 vs. $66,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill graduates have a $8,483 lower median loan debt than George Washington graduates ($16,479 vs. $24,962).
• Among borrowers, UNC Chapel Hill graduates have an estimated $88 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than George Washington graduates ($170 vs. $258).
• More UNC Chapel Hill graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former George Washington students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 82%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.