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University of North Carolina vs University of Washington

A comprehensive side-by-side comparison of academics, cost, admissions, campus life and career outcomes to help you choose.

16.8% UNC acceptance
48.0% UW acceptance
$22,472 UNC cheaper over 4 years
Updated 2026 · Data: NCES, College Scorecard, IPEDS All figures in USD unless noted

School Overview

UNC
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Public
Founded
1789
Enrollment
32,852
Setting
Suburban
UW
Seattle, Washington
Public
Founded
1861
Enrollment
51,361
Setting
Urban

At a Glance

Tuition UNC saves $3,941
UNC
$38,056
UW
$41,997
Acceptance Rate UNC more selective
UNC
16.8%
UW
48.0%
Graduation Rate UNC higher
UNC
91%
UW
84%
Avg SAT Score UNC higher
UNC
1400
UW
1380
Starting Salary UW higher
UNC
$64,800
UW
$73,200

Detailed Comparison

Metric UNC UW Edge
Tuition (Out-of-State)$38,056$41,997UNC
Tuition (In-State)$8,998$12,643UNC
Room & Board$13,020$14,697UNC
Acceptance Rate16.8%48.0%UNC
Graduation Rate91%84%UNC
Average SAT14001380UNC
Student-Faculty Ratio13:121:1UNC
Enrollment32,85251,361-
Avg Financial Aid$18,370$17,490UNC
Starting Salary$64,800$73,200UW
Endowment$5.3B$4.5BUNC
Campus Size729 acres703 acres-

Total Cost Comparison (4 Years)

Estimated sticker price before financial aid.

UNC
$204,304
4-year total (out-of-state)
VS
UW
$226,776
4-year total (out-of-state)
After average financial aid, estimated net cost: UNC = $130,824 | UW = $156,816. Your actual cost may differ. Use each school's Net Price Calculator for a personalized estimate.

Popular Majors

UNC Top Majors

BiologyBusinessComputer ScienceEconomicsPsychology

UW Top Majors

Computer ScienceEngineeringBiologyBusinessPsychology

Campus & Student Life

Setting
UNCSuburban
UWUrban
Campus Size
UNC729 ac
UW703 ac
Athletics
UNCNCAA D1
UWNCAA D1
Region
UNCSouth
UWWest
Founded
UNC1789
UW1861
Enrollment
UNC32,852
UW51,361

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is UNC or UW harder to get into?+
UNC is more selective with an acceptance rate of 16.8% compared to 48.0%. Both schools look at GPA, test scores, extracurriculars, essays, and recommendations in their admissions process.
Which is cheaper, UNC or UW?+
At sticker price, UNC costs less over 4 years ($204,304 vs $226,776). However, financial aid can dramatically change the actual cost. UNC offers an average of $18,370/year in aid while UW offers $17,490/year. Always compare your actual net price after aid.
What are the average SAT scores for UNC and UW?+
The average SAT score at UNC is 1400 and at UW it is 1380. Keep in mind that admitted students often score across a range, and many schools practice holistic admissions where test scores are just one factor.
Do UNC or UW graduates earn more?+
Graduates of UW have a higher average starting salary ($73,200 vs $64,800). Salary outcomes vary significantly by major, industry, and location — so this is a general average across all graduates.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at each school?+
UNC has a 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio while UW has 21:1. A lower ratio generally means smaller class sizes and more individual attention from professors.
How do UNC and UW compare for campus life?+
UNC is located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina (suburban setting) with a 729-acre campus. UW is in Seattle, Washington (urban setting) with 703 acres. UNC competes in NCAA D1 athletics and UW in NCAA D1.