Head-to-head · 2026
Duke University vs University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Compare average net price ($29,612 at Duke University; $11,655 at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill), ROI score (8.26 vs 15.49), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($97,800 vs $72,200), and admissions selectivity (5.7% acceptance at Duke University; 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 | Duke University | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 8.26 | 15.49 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $29,612 | $11,655 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $118,448 | $46,620 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $68,758 | $8,994 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $68,758 | $41,203 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $97,800 ✓ | $72,200 |
| Acceptance rate | 5.7% | 15.3% |
| Graduation rate | 96.8% ✓ | 91.2% |
| Retention rate | 97.9% ✓ | 96.6% |
| Median debt | $13,000 ✓ | $14,000 |
| Enrollment | 6,442 | 20,752 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1548 | 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 | Duke University | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $735 ✓ | $2,004 |
| Family income $30–48k | -$361 ✓ | $3,918 |
| Family income $48–75k | $5,706 ✓ | $8,538 |
| Family income $75–110k | $17,100 | $16,415 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $54,230 | $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 | Duke University | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
|---|---|---|
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 15.8% | 7.4% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 7.4% | 3.4% |
| Computer Science | 5.9% | 4.7% |
| Biology, General | 3% | 5.7% |
| Economics | 4% | 4.7% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 3.9% | 3.5% |
| Public Policy Analysis | 4% | 1.7% |
| Political Science and Government | 1.8% | 3.7% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill reports the lower average net price by $17,957 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $71,828 difference over four years ($46,620 vs $118,448).
Duke University reports $25,600 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($97,800 vs $72,200). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 97.9% at Duke University and 96.6% at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Median federal debt among completers is $13,000 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.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Duke University vs University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is cheaper — average net price $11,655 per year vs $29,612 at Duke University. The annual difference of $17,957 adds up to about $71,828 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Duke University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $97,800 vs $72,200 at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The gap in the federal data is $25,600. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
Duke University is more selective at 5.7% acceptance vs 15.3% at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
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.