University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill vs San Diego State University

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and San Diego State University are both well-regarded institutions, but they differ in important ways. Here's how they compare across key dimensions.

Admissions: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is more selective with a 16.8% acceptance rate compared to San Diego State University's 34.4%.

Cost: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill offers a lower average net price at $15,508, which is $666 less than San Diego State University ($16,174). After financial aid, this can make a significant difference over 4 years.

Career Outcomes: Graduates from San Diego State University earn a median salary of $64,909 ten years after enrollment, which is $8,909 more than University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill graduates ($56,000).

Graduation: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill leads with a 91.4% graduation rate, and freshman retention rates are 97.0% vs 90.3%.

Campus Size: San Diego State University is the larger campus with 33,654 total students, while University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has 30,862.

Bottom Line: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill wins on affordability while San Diego State University leads in career earnings. Your choice depends on whether upfront cost or long-term ROI matters more.