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

Public, Chapel Hill NC · vs · Private nonprofit, Winston-Salem 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 3.9 years at Wake Forest University, on median earnings of $72,200 vs $78,158 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillWake Forest University
Net price / yr$11,655$28,719
Total net cost$46,620$114,876
Median earnings, 10 yrs$72,200$78,158
Median debt$14,000$21,500
Payback2 yrs3.9 yrs
20-year net return$430,180$481,084

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 Wake Forest University?

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, at $11,655 a year after aid versus $28,719 — a gap of $17,064 a year, or $68,256 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 Wake Forest University graduates earn more?

Wake Forest University graduates report a median $78,158 ten years after entry, $5,958 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 Wake Forest University?

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: its completers carry a median $14,000 in federal loans versus $21,500 at Wake Forest University, a difference of $7,500. 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 89% at Wake Forest University. 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 Wake Forest University: frequently asked questions

Is University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill or Wake Forest University a better value?
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It clears its $46,620 net cost in about 2 years versus 3.9 years at Wake Forest University, on median earnings of $72,200 vs $78,158 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill or Wake Forest University?
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: $11,655/yr net price after aid versus $28,719/yr at Wake Forest University — a difference of $17,064 a year, or about $68,256 over four years.
Do University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill or Wake Forest University graduates earn more?
Wake Forest University graduates earn a median $78,158 ten years after entry, versus $72,200 at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill — a $5,958 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.