Degree Dividend
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North Carolina State University at Raleigh vs University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: which has better ROI?

Public, Raleigh NC · vs · Public, Chapel Hill NC

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

The verdict

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $46,620 in 2 years versus 3.4 years at North Carolina State University at Raleigh, on median earnings of $72,200 vs $68,758 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureNorth Carolina State University at RaleighUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Net price / yr$17,303$11,655
Total net cost$69,212$46,620
Median earnings, 10 yrs$68,758$72,200
Median debt$20,121$14,000
Payback3.4 yrs2 yrs
20-year net return$338,748$430,180

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, North Carolina State University at Raleigh or University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, at $11,655 a year after aid versus $17,303 — a gap of $5,648 a year, or $22,592 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do North Carolina State University at Raleigh or University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill graduates earn more?

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill graduates report a median $72,200 ten years after entry, $3,442 more than the $68,758 at North Carolina State University at Raleigh. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, North Carolina State University at Raleigh or University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: its completers carry a median $14,000 in federal loans versus $20,121 at North Carolina State University at Raleigh, a difference of $6,121. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

91% of students finish at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, against 85% at North Carolina State University at Raleigh. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

North Carolina State University at Raleigh vs University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: frequently asked questions

Is North Carolina State University at Raleigh or University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill a better value?
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It clears its $46,620 net cost in about 2 years versus 3.4 years at North Carolina State University at Raleigh, on median earnings of $72,200 vs $68,758 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, North Carolina State University at Raleigh or University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: $11,655/yr net price after aid versus $17,303/yr at North Carolina State University at Raleigh — a difference of $5,648 a year, or about $22,592 over four years.
Do North Carolina State University at Raleigh or University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill graduates earn more?
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill graduates earn a median $72,200 ten years after entry, versus $68,758 at North Carolina State University at Raleigh — a $3,442 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.