UNC vs William & Mary: cost, admissions and outcomes compared
Verified federal figures for University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and William & Mary, side by side. Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition.
UNC vs William & Mary at a glance
UNC admits 15.3% of applicants and William & Mary 34.1% (CollegesRef 2026–27 edition). The average net price after grants is $11,305 at UNC and $18,880 at William & Mary. Six-year graduation rates are 91.1% and 88.3%, respectively.
Source: U.S. Department of Education IPEDS and College Scorecard, reporting years 2025
What the data shows
Key differences
- UNC admits 15.3% of applicants and William & Mary 34.1%, so UNC is the more selective.
- The average net price after grants is $11,305 a year at UNC and $18,880 at William & Mary; UNC costs $7,575 less a year.
- For families earning up to $30,000, the net price is $2,212 at UNC and $3,292 at William & Mary.
- 91.1% of students graduate within six years at UNC, against 88.3% at William & Mary.
- Median earnings ten years after entry are $81,094 for UNC and $83,488 for William & Mary; William & Mary is $2,394 higher.
- Graduates leave with median federal debt of $12,086 at UNC and $17,417 at William & Mary.
- UNC enrolls 20,752 students (small city) and William & Mary 7,055 (small suburb).
Side by side
UNC and William & Mary in numbers
The stronger figure in each cost and outcome row is in bold. Net price is what students who receive aid pay after grants; your own price depends on family income.
| Measure | UNC | William & Mary |
|---|---|---|
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance rate | 15.3% | 34.1% |
| Applicants | 50,729 | 17,475 |
| SAT middle 50% (composite) | 1390–1530 | 1400–1530 |
| ACT middle 50% | 28–34 | 32–34 |
| Cost | ||
| Average net price (after grants) | $11,305 | $18,880 |
| Tuition, in state | $9,095 | $26,456 |
| Tuition, out of state | $45,228 | $52,725 |
| Cost of attendance | $26,949 | $45,606 |
| Net price by family income | ||
| Family income up to $30,000 | $2,212 | $3,292 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $2,989 | $4,385 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $6,761 | $6,345 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $12,883 | $14,265 |
| Over $110,000 | $24,276 | $37,032 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Graduation rate (six years) | 91.1% | 88.3% |
| First-year retention | 96.6% | 94.6% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $81,094 | $83,488 |
| Median federal debt at graduation | $12,086 | $17,417 |
| Typical monthly loan payment | $137 | $198 |
| Size and setting | ||
| Total students | 20,752 | 7,055 |
| Type | Public | Public |
| Setting | City: Small | Suburb: Small |
| Location | Chapel Hill, NC | Williamsburg, VA |
Source: U.S. Department of Education IPEDS and College Scorecard, reporting years 2025. Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition.
Bachelor's programs both offer
UNC reports 51 bachelor's programs and William & Mary 34; 28 are offered at both. The largest shared programs:
Questions about UNC vs William & Mary
Every answer uses the figures in the table above.
Is it harder to get into UNC or William & Mary?
UNC is harder to get into by acceptance rate: UNC admits 15.3% of applicants and William & Mary admits 34.1%. Middle 50% SAT scores: UNC 1390–1530; William & Mary 1400–1530.
Which is cheaper, UNC or William & Mary?
UNC has the lower average net price after grants: $11,305 a year at UNC against $18,880 at William & Mary. For families earning up to $30,000 it is $2,212 and $3,292. Your own price depends on family income and aid.
Do UNC or William & Mary graduates earn more?
William & Mary graduates earn more at the median: $81,094 ten years after entry for UNC and $83,488 for William & Mary. Median federal debt at graduation is $12,086 and $17,417.
Which has a higher graduation rate, UNC or William & Mary?
UNC does: 91.1% of UNC students graduate within six years, against 88.3% at William & Mary.
How big are UNC and William & Mary?
UNC has 20,752 students in Chapel Hill, NC and William & Mary has 7,055 students in Williamsburg, VA.