Duke University vs. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) Overview
You’re wrestling with a tough question: “Should I go to Duke or UNC?“
Duke University
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC)
Can you get in?
Calculate Your ChancesCan you get in?
Calculate Your ChancesThis complete guide analyzes both the quantitative and qualitative differences between Duke University and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC). This comparison is particularly valuable at understanding the cultural nuances between the colleges since it uses student videos to capture the “vibes” of campus - these videos are exclusively available on CampusReel :)
Differences between Duke University and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC)
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s go through a general overview of the high-level differences between Duke University and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC). The table below summarizes some of the most important statistics around competitiveness, costs, etc.
| Duke University | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) | |
|---|---|---|
| In-state Tuition | $49,241 | $8,591 |
| Net Price | $34,137 | $13,744 |
| Average Financial Aid | $46,911 | $13,697 |
| Total Undergraduates | 6501 | 17951 |
| Average SAT Scores | 1360 - 1550 | 1220 - 1430 |
| Acceptance Rate | 11 | 31 |
| Location | 103 Allen Bldg | 103 South Bldg Cb 9100 |
| City Name | Durham | Chapel Hill |
WARNINGS: Based on net price alone, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) is the cheaper option. However, this sticker price may not adequately represent the difference in living costs between Durham and Chapel Hill. Duke is in a South Atlantic and UNC is in a South Atlantic - sometimes off campus meals and housing costs can dramatically vary between schools
Is Duke University or University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) Harder to get into? Which school is easier to get into?
If you’re looking at acceptance rate alone, then Duke University is more difficult to get into. However, each college is looking to fill its incoming class with a variety of students with different strengths, backgrounds, etc.
Therefore, the acceptance rate alone is not a good indicator that Duke University is a better school or will be more difficult for you specifically to get into. On the flipside, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) is easier to get into based on acceptance rate alone.
You can use the below college admissions predictor to determine your likelihood of acceptance at either school.
How Do Duke Dorms Compare to housing Options at UNC?
Both colleges provide on-campus living options. Duke charges for on-campus living, while UNC charges N/A for on-campus living. Most importantly, though, check out the video below for a sample of dorm tours at each school.
Duke and UNC student body differences
The table below helps demonstrate the student body differences as well.
| Duke University, % | UNC,% | |
|---|---|---|
| White | 46.300000000000004 | 63.7 |
| Hispanic | 7.37 | 7.57 |
| Black | 9.77 | 7.84 |
| Foreign | 10.12 | 2.46 |
| Others | 26.4 | 18.4 |
How different is the Duke University campus compared to University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) campus?
The Duke campus is located in Durham, NC and is characterized as City: Midsize (population of at least 100,000 but less than 250,000). The UNC campus is located in Chapel Hill, NC and is characterized as City: Small (population less than 100,000).
Which school gives more financial aid?
Duke provides $46,911 whereas UNC provides an average of $13,697.
How does Duke academics compare to UNC?
When analyzing academics between Duke University and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) we’ll look at both what current students are studying and also where they end up after graduation. After all, college should prepare you for a career! Analyzing each school’s outcomes is super valuable to understand the value of the degree.
| Majors | Duke | UNC |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture agriculture operations and related sciences | N/A | N/A |
| Natural resources and conservation | 38 | 85 |
| Architecture and related services | N/A | N/A |
| Area ethnic cultural gender and group studies | 21 | 186 |
| Communication journalism and related programs | 1 | 553 |
| Computer and information sciences and support services | 114 | 216 |
| Communications technologies technicians and support services | N/A | N/A |
| Personal and culinary services | N/A | N/A |
| Engineering | 312 | 50 |
| Education | 37 | 42 |
| Engineering technologies and engineering related fields | 4 | N/A |
Which is better: Duke University or University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC)?
We’ve compared dorm life, costs, outcomes and more to provide the most complete comparison between Duke and UNC. But, you’re smart enough to know that numbers paint a terrible picture for truly understanding what each college and community is like. And, the real answer to which school is better is: the school that’s right for you. No matter who you ask, if they know what they’re talking about, the answer is the same: the “better” school is whatever is the best fit for you personally. That’s why it’s extremely important to check out all the videos on CampusReel for each school.
How does Duke social life compare to UNC?
It’s tough to understand the nuances of social life with data alone. That’s why we’ve brought in real student videos to show how Duke social life differs from UNC.
Check here.
Check here.