Both are excellent universities, but does Schreyer Honors College outweigh UNC? Financially PSU will cost 15k a year and UNC about 7k. Finances are important but a in the big scheme of things the difference is not insurmountable. It’s such a tough decision. Is there anyone who can weigh in on this?
Do you know your major yet? If you do, I would check the rank for each school. I also would consider where you might land after college. In the SE, a Chapel Hill degree will seem more prestigious than a Penn State degree even if your particular major is more highly rated at Penn State. In the NE, a Penn State degree may hold more weight.
Only in the field of engineering and possibly even in Business. However, regarding the latter…it’s not worth paying more than twice as much for IMO.
For everything else, UNC is the better bet both financially and overall average academic reputation even here in the NE.
Am speaking as someone living in the NE and knew several classmates who applied or attended UNC. UNC has a renowned reputation as an elite public here with alongside UVA and other elite publics. Keep in mind a part of this is due to the fact it’s exceedingly difficult for OOSers to get admission to UNC because of NC’s state law mandating 82% of freshmen seats be reserved for in-staters.