Emory vs North Carolina - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Emory admits 10.3% of applicants, while North Carolina admits 15.3%.
The more international environment is at Emory (16.7% international students) than North Carolina (6.4%).
North Carolina reports no financial aid for international students, while Emory awards them $54,457 on average. For an applicant from outside the US that is usually the most important difference on this page.
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Emory lists $90,574 against $60,888 (North Carolina), but after average aid what remains is $23,245 against $40,183.
None of these figures decides on its own; what decides is which course you want to be on, and on what budget.
Every sentence above comes from a field we hold in canonical. Where the data is missing, or the gap is small enough to be noise, the sentence simply does not appear.
EXPERT TAKE
Emory is the more selective of the two (10.29% vs 15.34% acceptance). North Carolina ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#101-150 vs #35). Emory graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($80K vs $72K). North Carolina has lower sticker-price tuition ($45,228 vs $68,056 per year).
Both universities have complete, comparable data in canonical - the choice should come down to fit (campus culture, major, aid package) alongside the differences visible in the numbers below.
Choose Emory for: higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings, a larger aid package.
Choose North Carolina for: a higher world ranking, a higher graduation rate, higher retention.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Emory is more selective (10.29% vs 15.34% acceptance); Emory has a higher median SAT (1510 vs 1470).
Emory graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($80K vs $72K); North Carolina has a higher 6-year graduation rate (91.2% vs 91.1%).
North Carolina has lower sticker-price tuition ($45,228 vs $68,056); Emory offers a larger average aid package ($67,329 vs $20,705).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Emory | North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #101-150 | #35 |
| Rank · THE | - | #70 |
| Acceptance rate | 10.29% | 15.34% |
| Yield rate | 40.4% | 45.5% |
| Median SAT | 1510 | 1470 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.84 | 4.49 |
| Number of applications | 34,614 | 66,535 |
| International students | 16.7% | 6.4% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $80K | $72K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $58K | $48K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $120K | $112K |
| Graduation rate | 91.1% | 91.2% |
| Retention rate | 96% | 96.6% |
| Median debt | $18,250 | $14,000 |
| Tuition · year | $68,056 | $45,228 |
| Avg. aid package | $67,329 | $20,705 |
| % of need met | 99.9% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $24,562 | $20,382 |
| Application fee | $75 | $85 |
| Enrollment | 15,179 | 32,680 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Emory or North Carolina?
It's harder to get into Emory. Emory accepts 10.29% of applicants, while North Carolina accepts 15.34%.
Do Emory or North Carolina graduates earn more?
Emory graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $80K vs $72K.
How much is tuition at Emory vs North Carolina?
Sticker-price tuition is $68,056 per year at Emory and $45,228 per year at North Carolina.
What SAT score do you need for Emory or North Carolina?
The median admitted SAT score is 1510 at Emory and 1470 at North Carolina; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Emory or North Carolina?
North Carolina ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #101-150 for Emory vs #35 for North Carolina.
Which university offers more financial aid - Emory or North Carolina?
The average aid package is $67,329 at Emory and $20,705 at North Carolina.
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