Washington University vs North Carolina - 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 (#23 vs #35). 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 Washington University for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
Choose North Carolina for: higher retention, lower tuition, lower graduate debt.
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 | Washington University | North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #23 | #35 |
| Rank · THE | #69 | #70 |
| Acceptance rate | 12.1% | 15.34% |
| Yield rate | 46.7% | 45.5% |
| Median SAT | 1540 | 1470 |
| Avg. GPA | 4.19 | 4.49 |
| Number of applications | 32,754 | 66,535 |
| International students | 9.4% | 6.4% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $86K | $72K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $61K | $48K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $137K | $112K |
| Graduation rate | 94.3% | 91.2% |
| Retention rate | 95% | 96.6% |
| Median debt | $17,500 | $14,000 |
| Tuition · year | $69,594 | $45,228 |
| Avg. aid package | $75,604 | $20,705 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $26,666 | $20,382 |
| Application fee | $75 | $85 |
| Enrollment | 16,357 | 32,680 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Washington University or North Carolina?
It's harder to get into Washington University. Washington University accepts 12.1% of applicants, while North Carolina accepts 15.34%.
Do Washington University or North Carolina graduates earn more?
Washington University graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $86K vs $72K.
How much is tuition at Washington University vs North Carolina?
Sticker-price tuition is $69,594 per year at Washington University and $45,228 per year at North Carolina.
What SAT score do you need for Washington University or North Carolina?
The median admitted SAT score is 1540 at Washington University and 1470 at North Carolina; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Washington University or North Carolina?
Washington University ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #23 for Washington University vs #35 for North Carolina.
Which university offers more financial aid - Washington University or North Carolina?
The average aid package is $75,604 at Washington University and $20,705 at North Carolina.
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