Kentucky vs. UNC Chapel Hill

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Kentucky in Lexington, KY 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 Kentucky is larger than UNC Chapel Hill based on total student enrollment (34,709 students vs. 32,438 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Kentucky is located in Lexington, KY (Large City setting); University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is in Chapel Hill, NC (Small City setting).
• University of Kentucky is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Kentucky 18:1; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 15:1.

Kentucky vs. UNC Chapel Hill Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Kentucky 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 Kentucky ($10,154 vs. $21,958).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are 13.8% lower than at University of Kentucky ($13,804 vs. $16,016).
• University of Kentucky is 50.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNC Chapel Hill (about $4,508 more per year; $13,502.00 vs. $8,994.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.7% higher at UNC Chapel Hill than at University of Kentucky (about $7,063 more per year; $41,203.00 vs. $34,140.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Kentucky than at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (95% vs. 38%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill students is 38.1% larger than aid received by University of Kentucky students ($17,814 vs. $12,898).

Kentucky vs. UNC Chapel Hill Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Kentucky 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 Kentucky.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1460) is 280 points higher than at Kentucky (1180).
• Incoming UNC Chapel Hill students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 24 at Kentucky).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Kentucky 1070/1290; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 1390/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Kentucky 21/28; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 28/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Kentucky - Test optional; UNC Chapel Hill - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Kentucky Feb 15, 2027; UNC Chapel Hill Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNC Chapel Hill students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at Kentucky (3.59).
• Kentucky has a higher acceptance rate (92.9%) than UNC Chapel Hill (15.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.2% at Kentucky vs. 45.5% at UNC Chapel Hill.

Kentucky vs. UNC Chapel Hill Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Kentucky 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 University of Kentucky's (59%).
• Graduates from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill earn a median of about $15,100 more per year than Kentucky graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,100 vs. $51,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill graduates have a $6,271 lower median loan debt than Kentucky graduates ($16,479 vs. $22,750).
• Among borrowers, UNC Chapel Hill graduates have an estimated $65 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Kentucky graduates ($170 vs. $235).
• More UNC Chapel Hill graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Kentucky students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 62%)

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.