North Carolina vs Washington University - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
The lower acceptance rate belongs to Washington University: 12.1% against 15.3% (North Carolina).
If you are applying from outside the US, budget without institutional support where there is none: only Washington University reports aid for international students ($68,438 on average), North Carolina does not.
The order of prices reverses once aid is counted: Washington University starts at $94,289 against $60,888 and ends at $18,685 against $40,183 (North Carolina).
Ten years on, graduates of Washington University earn noticeably more: $86K against $72K.
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
Washington University is the more selective of the two (12.1% vs 15.34% acceptance). Washington University ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#35 vs #23). Washington University graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($86K vs $72K). North Carolina has lower sticker-price tuition ($45,228 vs $69,594 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: higher retention, lower tuition, lower graduate debt.
Choose Washington University for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Washington University is more selective (12.1% vs 15.34% acceptance); Washington University has a higher median SAT (1540 vs 1470).
Washington University graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($86K vs $72K); Washington University has a higher 6-year graduation rate (94.3% vs 91.2%).
North Carolina has lower sticker-price tuition ($45,228 vs $69,594); Washington University offers a larger average aid package ($75,604 vs $20,705).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | North Carolina | Washington University |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #35 | #23 |
| Rank · THE | #70 | #69 |
| Acceptance rate | 15.34% | 12.1% |
| Yield rate | 45.5% | 46.7% |
| Median SAT | 1470 | 1540 |
| Avg. GPA | 4.49 | 4.19 |
| Number of applications | 66,535 | 32,754 |
| International students | 6.4% | 9.4% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $72K | $86K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $48K | $61K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $112K | $137K |
| Graduation rate | 91.2% | 94.3% |
| Retention rate | 96.6% | 95% |
| Median debt | $14,000 | $17,500 |
| Tuition · year | $45,228 | $69,594 |
| Avg. aid package | $20,705 | $75,604 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $20,382 | $26,666 |
| Application fee | $85 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 32,680 | 16,357 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into North Carolina or Washington University?
It's harder to get into Washington University. North Carolina accepts 15.34% of applicants, while Washington University accepts 12.1%.
Do North Carolina or Washington University graduates earn more?
Washington University graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $86K vs $72K.
How much is tuition at North Carolina vs Washington University?
Sticker-price tuition is $45,228 per year at North Carolina and $69,594 per year at Washington University.
What SAT score do you need for North Carolina or Washington University?
The median admitted SAT score is 1470 at North Carolina and 1540 at Washington University; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - North Carolina or Washington University?
Washington University ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #35 for North Carolina vs #23 for Washington University.
Which university offers more financial aid - North Carolina or Washington University?
The average aid package is $20,705 at North Carolina and $75,604 at Washington University.
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