CAMPUS · CHAPEL HILL, NC · PUBLIC

University of North Carolina

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

18.7%

01Acceptance 02Tuition 03Transfer 04ROI 05AP Credit 06Majors 07Housing 08International

Sticker Price vs What You Actually Pay

20% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating UNC enrolls a meaningful share of lower-income students.

Full Cost Breakdown

Room & Board	$13,016
Total Cost of Attendance	$26,055

What You'll Actually Pay (Net Price by Income)

After financial aid, the real cost depends on your family's income. These are average net prices for students receiving aid.

Family Income	Annual Net Price	4-Year Total
$0-30k	$2,004	$8,016
$30-48k	$3,918	$15,672
$48-75k	$8,538	$34,152
$75-110k	$16,415	$65,660
$110k+	$24,396	$97,584

Financial Aid & Student Debt at University of North Carolina

20.0%

Pell Grant Recipients

$14,000

Median Debt at Graduation

Is University of North Carolina Worth the Cost? (ROI Analysis)

$72,200

Median Earnings (10yr)

$14,000

Median Debt

5.2x

Earnings-to-Debt Ratio

A ratio above 2x generally means the investment pays off. University of North Carolina — 5.2x ratio is excellent — graduates earn well relative to their debt burden.

University of North Carolina True Cost by Family Income

20% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating UNC enrolls a meaningful share of lower-income students.

Family Income	Annual Net Price	4-Year Total
$0-30k	$2,004	$8,016
$30-48k	$3,918	$15,672
$48-75k	$8,538	$34,152
$75-110k	$16,415	$65,660
$110k+	$24,396	$97,584

Cost Breakdown

Room & Board	$13,016
Total Cost of Attendance	$26,055

Financial Aid & Student Debt

20.0%

Pell Grant Recipients

Students from low-income families

$14,000

Median Debt at Graduation

Federal loans only

$57,057

Median Earnings (6yr)

6 years after enrollment

University of North Carolina Tuition & Cost FAQs

How much does University of North Carolina actually cost per year?

University of North Carolina's sticker price (cost of attendance) is $26,055/yr — that includes tuition, room and board, and fees. After financial aid, the average family pays just $11,054/yr, a 58% discount off sticker price.

Does University of North Carolina offer good financial aid?

20% of University of North Carolina students receive Pell Grants (federal need-based aid). Most US colleges including University of North Carolina also award institutional grants on top of federal aid — apply via FAFSA, plus the CSS Profile if University of North Carolina requires it.

What income bracket pays the least at University of North Carolina?

Families earning under $30,000/yr typically pay around $2,004/yr at University of North Carolina after financial aid, while families earning over $110,000/yr pay closer to $24,396/yr. The full breakdown by income bracket is in the True Cost table above.

Is University of North Carolina worth the cost?

University of North Carolina graduates earn a median of $72,200 10 years post-graduation. Against a 4-year sticker cost of about $104,220 (less for most families with aid), grads typically recoup the investment within several years of work.