UNC Chapel Hill vs. University of Richmond

Comparable Facts

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

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is larger than University of Richmond based on total student enrollment (32,438 students vs. 3,722 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is located in Chapel Hill, NC (Small City setting); University of Richmond is in University of Richmond, VA (Midsize City setting).
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Richmond is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 15:1; University of Richmond 7:1.

UNC Chapel Hill vs. University of Richmond Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNC Chapel Hill or University of Richmond? 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 University of Richmond ($10,154 vs. $30,037).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are 19.5% lower than at University of Richmond ($13,804 vs. $17,140).
• University of Richmond is 625.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNC Chapel Hill (about $56,236 more per year; $65,230.00 vs. $8,994.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 58.3% higher at University of Richmond than at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (about $24,027 more per year; $65,230.00 vs. $41,203.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Richmond than at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (56% vs. 38%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Richmond students is 186.5% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill students ($51,039 vs. $17,814).

UNC Chapel Hill vs. University of Richmond Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNC Chapel Hill or University of Richmond? 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 University of Richmond and UNC Chapel Hill.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Richmond (1470) is 10 points higher than at UNC Chapel Hill (1460).
• Incoming University of Richmond students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 31 at UNC Chapel Hill).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 1390/1530; University of Richmond 1410/1530.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 28/34; University of Richmond 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNC Chapel Hill - Test optional; University of Richmond - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNC Chapel Hill Jan 15, 2027; University of Richmond Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNC Chapel Hill students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at University of Richmond (3.71).
• University of Richmond has a higher acceptance rate (22.2%) than UNC Chapel Hill (15.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.5% at UNC Chapel Hill vs. 23.5% at University of Richmond.

UNC Chapel Hill vs. University of Richmond Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNC Chapel Hill and University of Richmond? 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 Richmond's (83%).
• Graduates from University of Richmond earn a median of about $7,800 more per year than UNC Chapel Hill graduates about ten years after starting college ($73,900 vs. $66,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill graduates have a $4,669 lower median loan debt than University of Richmond graduates ($16,479 vs. $21,148).
• Among borrowers, UNC Chapel Hill graduates have an estimated $48 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Richmond graduates ($170 vs. $218).
• More UNC Chapel Hill graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Richmond students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 75%)

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.