Head-to-head · 2026
Elizabeth City State University vs University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Compare average net price ($6,364 at Elizabeth City State University; $11,655 at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill), ROI score (15.72 vs 15.49), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($40,026 vs $72,200), and admissions selectivity (64.2% acceptance at Elizabeth City State 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 | Elizabeth City State University | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 15.72 ✓ | 15.49 |
| Avg net price | $6,364 ✓ | $11,655 |
| 4-year avg net price | $25,456 ✓ | $46,620 |
| In-state tuition | $6,536 | $8,994 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $10,536 | $41,203 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $40,026 | $72,200 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | 64.2% | 15.3% |
| Graduation rate | 43.5% | 91.2% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 76.9% | 96.6% ✓ |
| Median debt | $21,463 | $14,000 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 1,975 | 20,752 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1019 | 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 | Elizabeth City State University | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $4,246 | $2,004 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $4,538 | $3,918 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $5,354 ✓ | $8,538 |
| Family income $75–110k | $10,205 ✓ | $16,415 |
| Family income $110k+ | $15,663 ✓ | $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 | Elizabeth City State University | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 12.9% | 3.5% |
| Biology, General | 7.9% | 5.7% |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 7.9% | 3.7% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 9.4% | 1.7% |
| Computer Science | 3.8% | 4.7% |
| Social Work | 6.2% | 1.4% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 2.9% | 2.2% |
| English Language and Literature, General | 3.2% | 1.8% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Elizabeth City State University reports the lower average net price by $5,291 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $21,164 difference over four years ($25,456 vs $46,620).
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill reports $32,174 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($72,200 vs $40,026). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 76.9% at Elizabeth City State University and 96.6% at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Median federal debt among completers is $21,463 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
Related college comparisons
Promoted matchups involving the same colleges or other leading schools in their states.
Frequently asked
Elizabeth City State 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?
Elizabeth City State University is cheaper — average net price $6,364 per year vs $11,655 at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The annual difference of $5,291 adds up to about $21,164 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 $40,026 at Elizabeth City State University. The gap in the federal data is $32,174. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is more selective at 15.3% acceptance vs 64.2% at Elizabeth City State University.
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.