Guilford College vs. UNC Chapel Hill

Comparable Facts

Compare Guilford College in Greensboro, NC 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 Guilford College based on total student enrollment (32,438 students vs. 1,180 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Guilford College is located in Greensboro, NC (Large City setting); University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is in Chapel Hill, NC (Small City setting).
• Guilford College 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: Guilford College 12:1; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 15:1.

Guilford College vs. UNC Chapel Hill Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Guilford College 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 Guilford College ($10,154 vs. $22,270).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Guilford College are 2.9% lower than at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ($13,400 vs. $13,804).
• Guilford College is 359.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNC Chapel Hill (about $32,368 more per year; $41,362.00 vs. $8,994.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.4% higher at Guilford College than at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (about $159 more per year; $41,362.00 vs. $41,203.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Guilford College than at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (100% vs. 38%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Guilford College students is 87.6% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill students ($33,419 vs. $17,814).

Guilford College vs. UNC Chapel Hill Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Guilford College 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 Guilford College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1460) is 270 points higher than at Guilford College (1190).
• Incoming UNC Chapel Hill students have a 10 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 21 at Guilford College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Guilford College 1120/1260; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 1390/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Guilford College 18/24; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 28/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Guilford College - Test optional; UNC Chapel Hill - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNC Chapel Hill Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNC Chapel Hill students have a 0.69 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at Guilford College (3.14).
• Guilford College has a higher acceptance rate (80%) than UNC Chapel Hill (15.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.1% at Guilford College vs. 45.5% at UNC Chapel Hill.

Guilford College vs. UNC Chapel Hill Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Guilford College 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 Guilford College's (60%).
• Graduates from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill earn a median of about $25,800 more per year than Guilford College graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,100 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill graduates have a $10,156 lower median loan debt than Guilford College graduates ($16,479 vs. $26,635).
• Among borrowers, UNC Chapel Hill graduates have an estimated $105 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Guilford College graduates ($170 vs. $275).
• More UNC Chapel Hill graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Guilford College students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 51%)

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.