University of North Carolina vs University of Richmond

This page compares University of North Carolina and University of Richmond across admissions data, cost of attendance, and employment outcomes using official ABA 509 disclosures.

In the U.S. News rankings, University of North Carolina is ranked #18 compared to #71 — a gap of 53 positions that often correlates with differences in employment outcomes and peer assessment scores.

There is a meaningful difference in admissions competitiveness: University of North Carolina has a median LSAT of 168 compared to 164, a gap of 4 points. This suggests applicants to University of North Carolina face a more competitive admissions pool.

University of North Carolina is significantly more selective, with an acceptance rate of 11.2% compared to University of Richmond's 39.6%.

University of North Carolina is located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, while University of Richmond is in Richmond, Virginia. Regional placement matters: graduates tend to find employment near their law school, so location should factor into your decision alongside rankings and cost.

Employment outcomes differ substantially: University of North Carolina places 24.8% of graduates into large law firm positions, compared to 11.9% for the other school. This 13 percentage point gap is significant for applicants targeting BigLaw careers.

On cost, University of North Carolina has lower tuition at $28,082 per year compared to $57,700. Combined with employment rates of 96.2% (UNC) and 94.7% (Richmond), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.

Among cross-admitted applicants, University of Richmond offered a median scholarship of $135,000 compared to $45,000, a difference of $90,000 that may factor into enrollment decisions.