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University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill vs Duke University: which has better ROI?

Public, Chapel Hill NC · vs · Private nonprofit, Durham 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 2.4 years at Duke University, on median earnings of $72,200 vs $97,800 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillDuke University
Net price / yr$11,655$29,612
Total net cost$46,620$118,448
Median earnings, 10 yrs$72,200$97,800
Median debt$14,000$13,000
Payback2 yrs2.4 yrs
20-year net return$430,180$870,352

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

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

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, at $11,655 a year after aid versus $29,612 — a gap of $17,957 a year, or $71,828 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

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

Duke University graduates report a median $97,800 ten years after entry, $25,600 more than the $72,200 at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 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, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill or Duke University?

Duke University: its completers carry a median $13,000 in federal loans versus $14,000 at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a difference of $1,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

97% of students finish at Duke University, against 91% at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 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.

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

Is University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill or Duke University a better value?
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It clears its $46,620 net cost in about 2 years versus 2.4 years at Duke University, on median earnings of $72,200 vs $97,800 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill or Duke University?
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: $11,655/yr net price after aid versus $29,612/yr at Duke University — a difference of $17,957 a year, or about $71,828 over four years.
Do University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill or Duke University graduates earn more?
Duke University graduates earn a median $97,800 ten years after entry, versus $72,200 at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill — a $25,600 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.