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University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill vs Wake Forest University

DNP programs compared — side-by-side on NCLEX pass rates, tuition, admissions, and format.

Updated Reviewed by NurseWay Editorial Team

At a glance

Lower tuition
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
$12,527 vs $39,350
Easier to get into
Wake Forest University
21.6% vs 18.7% acceptance

Side-by-side details

Best value in each row is highlighted.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.
Wake Forest University
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.
Program typeDNPDNP
Formatin personin person
LocationChapel Hill, NCWinston-Salem, NC
Length36 months36 months
NCLEX pass rate98%
Acceptance rate18.7%21.6%BEST
Avg accepted GPA
Min GPA
Entrance exam
Total tuition$12,527 in / $30,819 outBEST$39,350
In-state tuition$12,527BEST$39,350
Out-of-state tuition$30,819BEST$39,350
Clinical placement
AccreditationSCORECARD_BASELINESCORECARD_BASELINE

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill or Wake Forest University?

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is the more affordable option at roughly $12,527, compared to $39,350. Factor in residency status, financial aid, and program length when deciding — total cost matters more than annual tuition.

Are University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Wake Forest University the same type of program?

Both are DNP programs, so they award the same credential. Compare them on NCLEX pass rate, tuition, length, and location to find the better fit.

How do I decide between University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Wake Forest University?

Start by ruling out programs you can't get into (compare your GPA against each school's admissions stats), then weight what matters most — NCLEX pass rate for quality, total tuition for cost, length for time-to-degree, and format (online, hybrid, in-person) for lifestyle. Use NurseWay's free intake to get a personalized fit score for both.

Want a personalized fit score?

Take the free 3-minute intake and we'll rank both programs against your GPA, location preferences, and budget.