Harvard vs North Carolina - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
A place is harder to win where the bar sits higher: Harvard admits 3.6%, North Carolina admits 15.3%.
The larger international cohort belongs to Harvard: 15.7% of students against 6.4% (North Carolina).
North Carolina reports no financial aid for international students, while Harvard awards them $81,046 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: Harvard lists $87,926 against $60,888 (North Carolina), but after average aid what remains is $13,539 against $40,183.
These numbers describe the cohorts already enrolled, not your chances; treat them as a starting point rather than a forecast.
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
Harvard is the more selective of the two (3.65% vs 15.34% acceptance). Harvard ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#1 vs #35). Harvard graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($102K vs $72K). North Carolina has lower sticker-price tuition ($45,228 vs $64,796 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 Harvard for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
Choose North Carolina for: lower tuition, lower graduate debt.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Harvard is more selective (3.65% vs 15.34% acceptance); Harvard has a higher median SAT (1553 vs 1470).
Harvard graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($102K vs $72K); Harvard has a higher 6-year graduation rate (97.6% vs 91.2%).
North Carolina has lower sticker-price tuition ($45,228 vs $64,796); Harvard offers a larger average aid package ($74,387 vs $20,705).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Harvard | North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #1 | #35 |
| Rank · THE | #3 | #70 |
| Acceptance rate | 3.65% | 15.34% |
| Yield rate | 83.6% | 45.5% |
| Median SAT | 1553 | 1470 |
| Avg. GPA | 4.21 | 4.49 |
| Number of applications | 54,008 | 66,535 |
| International students | 15.7% | 6.4% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $102K | $72K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $65K | $48K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $200K | $112K |
| Graduation rate | 97.6% | 91.2% |
| Retention rate | 98% | 96.6% |
| Median debt | $14,000 | $14,000 |
| Tuition · year | $64,796 | $45,228 |
| Avg. aid package | $74,387 | $20,705 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $22,262 | $20,382 |
| Application fee | $85 | $85 |
| Enrollment | 21,189 | 32,680 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Harvard or North Carolina?
It's harder to get into Harvard. Harvard accepts 3.65% of applicants, while North Carolina accepts 15.34%.
Do Harvard or North Carolina graduates earn more?
Harvard graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $102K vs $72K.
How much is tuition at Harvard vs North Carolina?
Sticker-price tuition is $64,796 per year at Harvard and $45,228 per year at North Carolina.
What SAT score do you need for Harvard or North Carolina?
The median admitted SAT score is 1553 at Harvard and 1470 at North Carolina; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Harvard or North Carolina?
Harvard ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #1 for Harvard vs #35 for North Carolina.
Which university offers more financial aid - Harvard or North Carolina?
The average aid package is $74,387 at Harvard and $20,705 at North Carolina.
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