UNC Chapel Hill vs. VWC

Comparable Facts

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

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is larger than VWC based on total student enrollment (32,438 students vs. 1,853 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

UNC Chapel Hill vs. VWC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNC Chapel Hill or VWC? 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 VWC ($10,154 vs. $21,267).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Wesleyan University are 13.6% lower than at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ($11,930 vs. $13,804).
• Virginia Wesleyan University is 316.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNC Chapel Hill (about $28,506 more per year; $37,500.00 vs. $8,994.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.9% higher at UNC Chapel Hill than at Virginia Wesleyan University (about $3,703 more per year; $41,203.00 vs. $37,500.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Wesleyan University than at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (100% vs. 38%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Wesleyan University students is 68% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill students ($29,923 vs. $17,814).

UNC Chapel Hill vs. VWC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNC Chapel Hill or VWC? 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 VWC and UNC Chapel Hill.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1460) is 210 points higher than at VWC (1250).
• Incoming UNC Chapel Hill students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 28 at VWC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 1390/1530; Virginia Wesleyan University 1140/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 28/34; Virginia Wesleyan University 28/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNC Chapel Hill - Test optional; VWC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNC Chapel Hill Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNC Chapel Hill students have a 0.44 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at VWC (3.39).
• VWC has a higher acceptance rate (72.9%) than UNC Chapel Hill (15.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 45.5% at UNC Chapel Hill vs. 11.9% at VWC.

UNC Chapel Hill vs. VWC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNC Chapel Hill and VWC? 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 Virginia Wesleyan University's (48%).
• Graduates from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill earn a median of about $24,400 more per year than VWC graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,100 vs. $41,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill graduates have a $10,521 lower median loan debt than VWC graduates ($16,479 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UNC Chapel Hill graduates have an estimated $109 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VWC graduates ($170 vs. $279).
• More UNC Chapel Hill graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VWC students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 57%)

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.