Head-to-head · 2026
Central Piedmont Community College vs University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Compare average net price ($3,345 at Central Piedmont Community College; $11,655 at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill), ROI score (28.30 vs 15.49), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($37,865 vs $72,200), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Central Piedmont Community College; 15.3% at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Central Piedmont Community College | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 28.30 ✓ | 15.49 |
| Avg net price | $3,345 ✓ | $11,655 |
| 4-year avg net price | $13,380 ✓ | $46,620 |
| In-state tuition | $2,792 | $8,994 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $8,936 | $41,203 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $37,865 | $72,200 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 15.3% |
| Graduation rate | 30.9% | 91.2% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 69.9% | 96.6% ✓ |
| Median debt | $7,925 ✓ | $14,000 |
| Enrollment | 15,067 | 20,752 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | 1439 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Central Piedmont Community College | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $3,258 | $2,004 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $2,068 ✓ | $3,918 |
| Family income $48–75k | $4,725 ✓ | $8,538 |
| Family income $75–110k | $8,010 ✓ | $16,415 |
| Family income $110k+ | — | $24,396 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Central Piedmont Community College | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 36.4% | 0.5% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 7.7% | 3.5% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 2.5% | 3.4% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 3.5% | 1.7% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 2.5% | 2.2% |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | 2.1% | 1.2% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 1.6% | 0.4% |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | 1.3% | 0.3% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Central Piedmont Community College reports the lower average net price by $8,310 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $33,240 difference over four years ($13,380 vs $46,620).
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill reports $34,335 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($72,200 vs $37,865). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 69.9% at Central Piedmont Community College and 96.6% at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Median federal debt among completers is $7,925 vs $14,000, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
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Frequently asked
Central Piedmont Community College vs University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Central Piedmont Community College is cheaper — average net price $3,345 per year vs $11,655 at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The annual difference of $8,310 adds up to about $33,240 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $72,200 vs $37,865 at Central Piedmont Community College. The gap in the federal data is $34,335. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.