University of North Carolina vs University of South Carolina

This page compares University of North Carolina and University of South Carolina 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 #63 — a gap of 45 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 162, a gap of 6 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 South Carolina's 29.9%.

University of North Carolina is located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, while University of South Carolina is in Columbia, South Carolina. 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 7.9% for the other school. This 17 percentage point gap is significant for applicants targeting BigLaw careers.

On cost, University of South Carolina has lower tuition at $20,322 per year compared to $28,082. Combined with employment rates of 96.2% (UNC) and 92.1% (South Carolina), prospective students should weigh the cost-to-outcome ratio carefully.

Among cross-admitted applicants, University of South Carolina offered a median scholarship of $72,000 compared to $37,500, a difference of $34,500 that may factor into enrollment decisions.