College Comparison
UC Berkeley vs UNC Chapel Hill: Which is Better?
Side-by-side comparison of acceptance rates, SAT scores, tuition, earnings, and more, updated with the latest College Scorecard data.
School
UC Berkeley
Berkeley, CA
School
UNC Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC
Head-to-Head Stats
| Metric | UC Berkeley | UNC Chapel Hill |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 11.7%wins | 18.7% |
| SAT Range (25th–75th) | N/A | 1370–1530wins |
| ACT Range (25th–75th) | N/A | 30–34 |
| Tuition (Out-of-State) | $45,627 | $39,330wins |
| Avg Net Price | $14,979 | $12,983wins |
| Median Earnings (10 yr) | $92,446wins | $72,200 |
| Graduation Rate | 92.9%wins | 92.1% |
| Retention Rate | 96.8% | 97.2%wins |
| Student–Faculty Ratio | 18:1 | 15:1wins |
| Total Enrollment | 33,073wins | 20,556 |
Verdict
Based on the data above, UNC Chapel Hill edges out UC Berkeley on 5 of 9 measurable categories, including key factors like acceptance rate, earnings, and graduation rate. That said, the right choice depends heavily on your major, financial situation, and campus culture fit.
UC Berkeley Strengths
- ✓Acceptance Rate: 11.7%
- ✓Median Earnings (10 yr): $92,446
- ✓Graduation Rate: 92.9%
- ✓Total Enrollment: 33,073
UNC Chapel Hill Strengths
- ✓SAT Range (25th–75th): 1370–1530
- ✓Tuition (Out-of-State): $39,330
- ✓Avg Net Price: $12,983
- ✓Retention Rate: 97.2%
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