Head-to-head · 2026
Southwestern Community College vs University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Compare average net price ($5,207 at Southwestern Community College; $11,655 at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill), ROI score (16.39 vs 15.49), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($34,145 vs $72,200), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Southwestern 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 | Southwestern Community College | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 16.39 ✓ | 15.49 |
| Avg net price | $5,207 ✓ | $11,655 |
| 4-year avg net price | $20,828 ✓ | $46,620 |
| In-state tuition | $4,112 | $8,994 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $13,184 | $41,203 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $34,145 | $72,200 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 15.3% |
| Graduation rate | 53.1% | 91.2% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 74.7% | 96.6% ✓ |
| Median debt | $10,500 ✓ | $14,000 |
| Enrollment | 1,249 | 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 | Southwestern Community College | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $4,982 | $2,004 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $4,423 | $3,918 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $6,494 ✓ | $8,538 |
| Family income $75–110k | $7,592 ✓ | $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 | Southwestern Community College | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 17.8% | 3.5% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 18.7% | 0.5% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 6.5% | 2.2% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 4.6% | 1.7% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 2.5% | 3.4% |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | 4.4% | 1.2% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 3.6% | 0.4% |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | 1.5% | 0.3% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Southwestern Community College reports the lower average net price by $6,448 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $25,792 difference over four years ($20,828 vs $46,620).
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill reports $38,055 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($72,200 vs $34,145). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 74.7% at Southwestern Community College and 96.6% at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Median federal debt among completers is $10,500 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
Southwestern 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?
Southwestern Community College is cheaper — average net price $5,207 per year vs $11,655 at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The annual difference of $6,448 adds up to about $25,792 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 $34,145 at Southwestern Community College. The gap in the federal data is $38,055. 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.