North Carolina vs Georgia - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
North Carolina admits 15.3% of applicants, while Georgia admits 37.9%.
The share of international students differs sharply: 6.4% (North Carolina) against 1.1% (Georgia).
The tuition gap is $13,550 a year: $31,678 (Georgia) against $45,228.
Candidates with higher SAT scores go to North Carolina: a midpoint of 1470 against 1300, a difference of 170 points.
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
North Carolina is the more selective of the two (15.34% vs 37.92% acceptance). North Carolina ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#35 vs #401-500). North Carolina graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($72K vs $69K). Georgia has lower sticker-price tuition ($31,678 vs $45,228 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 North Carolina for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
Choose Georgia for: lower tuition.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
North Carolina is more selective (15.34% vs 37.92% acceptance); North Carolina has a higher median SAT (1470 vs 1300).
North Carolina graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($72K vs $69K); North Carolina has a higher 6-year graduation rate (91.2% vs 89.7%).
Georgia has lower sticker-price tuition ($31,678 vs $45,228); North Carolina offers a larger average aid package ($20,705 vs $15,348).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | North Carolina | Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #35 | #401-500 |
| Rank · THE | #70 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 15.34% | 37.92% |
| Yield rate | 45.5% | 38.3% |
| Median SAT | 1470 | 1300 |
| Avg. GPA | 4.49 | 4.15 |
| Number of applications | 66,535 | 42,436 |
| International students | 6.4% | 1.1% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $72K | $69K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $48K | $45K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $112K | $102K |
| Graduation rate | 91.2% | 89.7% |
| Retention rate | 96.6% | 94.3% |
| Median debt | $14,000 | $18,500 |
| Tuition · year | $45,228 | $31,678 |
| Avg. aid package | $20,705 | $15,348 |
| % of need met | 100% | 73.2% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $20,382 | $20,890 |
| Application fee | $85 | $70 |
| Enrollment | 32,680 | 43,146 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into North Carolina or Georgia?
It's harder to get into North Carolina. North Carolina accepts 15.34% of applicants, while Georgia accepts 37.92%.
Do North Carolina or Georgia graduates earn more?
North Carolina graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $72K vs $69K.
How much is tuition at North Carolina vs Georgia?
Sticker-price tuition is $45,228 per year at North Carolina and $31,678 per year at Georgia.
What SAT score do you need for North Carolina or Georgia?
The median admitted SAT score is 1470 at North Carolina and 1300 at Georgia; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - North Carolina or Georgia?
North Carolina ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #35 for North Carolina vs #401-500 for Georgia.
Which university offers more financial aid - North Carolina or Georgia?
The average aid package is $20,705 at North Carolina and $15,348 at Georgia.
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